Brew Dudes Homebrewing Blog

PLAATO Keg Management System Unboxing

On January 22, 2020

Although we received a prototype of this product a while ago, it was great to get the official product so we could unbox it here. Take a look at the sleek look of the PLAATO Keg Management System.

Unboxing And Review

The final device has a nice smooth outer covering. The prototype that we got was a 3D printed job, sealed together with some strong epoxy. The USB connector was also given a better placement to make it easier to maintain contact when inside your fridge or kegerator.

I really like the PLAATO guys and their products. The app works with the airlock and now the Keg Management System. This device not only measures how much beer is in your keg but also the ambient temperature of where you’re storing your keg. Yeah, you could build your own. Maybe you feel like buying gadgets like these is a waste of money. Sometimes, you buy things because of the cool factor. No matter. If you’re into homebrewing tech, check out the stuff from PLAATO.

Brew On!

Pilsner With Homegrown Magnum Hops

By John Krochune

On January 15, 2020

In Experiments, Hops, Videos

The last of the homegrown hop brewed beers from the 2019 harvest, this beer is a pilsner with homegrown Magnum hops. The hops used in this beer come from the plant I have had the longest. I have used these hops in other beers in the past and I have like the performance. Let’s see how this crop did in this beer:

Tasting Notes

So what kind of beer comes out of a grain bill of 10 pounds of pilsner malt, 6 ounces of Magnum hops (2 ounces at 60 minutes, 15 minutes, and flame out) and a packet of Safale 34/70? A pretty good one.

I followed a traditional lager fermentation procedure at a temperature of 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) and let it condition at near freezing temperatures for six weeks. To clarify the beer even more, I used gelatin and let it site for 2 days before I kegged the beer.

The hops bring a clean bittering note to the beer. The flavor is one note – it makes for a “beer tasting beer”. There is no fruitiness or other hop derived flavors that you get from other hops. These Magnum hops are noble=esque. There isn’t much to the hop aroma either.

There was a nice soft malt notes but the thing we noted mostly was the yeast notes. This yeast strain provides some non-lager characteristics that we didn’t think we’re optimal. We’re planning to use a different strain and treat our water to get the crispness we want in these types of lager beers.

BREW ON!

SMaSH Beer Showdown – Hallertau vs. Tettnang

By John Krochune

On January 8, 2020

In Hops, Videos

Way back in the day, Mike brewed a SMaSH beer with Noble hops. We drank it on camera and we didn’t have much to say about it outside of it tasting and smelling hoppy. Well, we understood that wasn’t very helpful and decided we needed to taste SMaSH beers side by side to describe the difference. Here we are with a SMaSH Beer Showdown. Watch this video to learn more about the subtle differences between Hallertau and Tettnang.

What Were Those Differences?

I’ll tell ya – I love Hallertau. The balance of floral and spicy can’t be beat. I grew up with that variety with Sam Adams Lager and still use it as my go-to hop for all my lagers. I know some homebrewers are big fans of Tettnang. In this comparison, it didn’t have as much floral notes in it as the Hallertau but had a stronger bitterness. The Tettnang was a little more refined in its flavor profile.

Let us know what you think of these noble hops! What’s your favorite of the two?

BREW ON!

These Brew Dudes Prepare For 2020

By John Krochune

On January 1, 2020

In General, Videos

As we like to do at the end of years, we discuss what we did and what we want to do in the coming year. I don’t think we get everything done that we set out to do in our Brew Year’s resolutions but we do try real hard. Watch this video as we talk about what we accomplished in 2019 and what we want to do in 2020.

Who’s Keeping Score At Home?

All right, first and foremost, we wrote a book in 2019 which was something that nobody expected, especially us. We will take that as a big win. A publisher approached us and we embraced the opportunity to write the Beer Brewing 101 book.

For 2020, we are going to try to brew the same beer. If we get a plan together, then will be able to execute.

Mike has to get a malt and yeast tasting videos. It’s on him. He needs to come in hot and do it right.

Thanks for watching. We appreciate the attention and the time.

BREW ON!

Warm Fermented Amber Lager

By John Krochune

On December 25, 2019

In Experiments, Videos, Yeast

Mike has been going nuts with brewing up lagers at room temperatures. When you get a yeast strain that has been proven successful at producing quality beers through non-traditional processes, you keep at it. Let’s learn more about this warm fermented amber lager!

Brewed Warm – Tastes Good

This is the second time Mike has brewed a lager with the Fermentis SafLager W-34/70 yeast strain. The first time was a light colored lager that was great. This amber lager had more malty goodness in its flavor profile but the end result had the qualities of a lager – low fruity esters and a crisp finish.

I have a packet of this yeast too but I am going to brew my lager the old fashioned way. My temperatures will be at 50° F (10° C) and I will store the beer in my fridge at the coldest setting for 6 weeks at least.

We will see how that beer comes out in a future video. BREW ON!