The best way to avoid a boil-over it to
October 28th, 2009
The best way to avoid a boil-over it to turn the heat down a bit as the wort just begins to boil, and then very carefully manage the heat during the first 15 minutes of the boil until you have a steady boil with minimal foaming. Also, do NOT use a cover on your pot! While a covered pot will come to a boil quicker, the first time you open the pot it will boil over immediately - making a huge mess on your stove. Once you achieve a steady boil it is time to add the hops. Weigh the proper amount and drop it in the hot wort. Some home brewing beer brewers use a mesh hops bag to reduce the mess later, but if you can cool your beer quickly most of the hops will drop out after the boil.
When you have a hobby that you really
October 28th, 2009
When you have a home brewing beer hobby that you really enjoy everything else that you do seems to fall to the wayside, priority-wise. I stopped trying to get tickets to sporting events and hardly ever watch television anymore. As a matter of fact, I canceled my season tickets and my cable subscriptions, too. Those are real money-savers. Instead, I have been spending time researching the process of home brewing going to home brew forums and perfecting my craft. Pretty soon I think I will have my own special microbrew to share with family and friends. That is something that makes me want to do it even more. Then I will have 3 reasons.