Have you ever looked at a keg, fermentation bucket, or carboy and wondered, "Wait, what's in this one?" Wouldn't it be nicer to take a quick glance at your keg and know, this is my German Pils, which is 5.2% ABV, and was brewed on 2018/12/18? Or look at a fermentation bucket, and know it's your Irish Red, which was brewed on 2019/02/16, and the target FG is 1.009? A simple label will make your life SO...MUCH...EASIER. Here are three simple ways to label your kegs and fermenters.
Category: Homebrew Tips
Tip: The Many Homebrewing Uses for Mason Jars
Most homebrewers have a ton of gear. Some of these things get frequent use and are worth every penny while others sit aside and gather dust. Some things get replaced with the new and improved versions of gear we already have. Then there are some things that are just staples of the brewhouse that everyone should own. I propose that the humble Mason jar is one of those staples. It's versatile, simple, and best of all, cheap for what it provides your home brewery. Let's have a look at the many homebrewing uses for Mason jars!
Tip: Calculating ABV after Adding Liquor
Thinking about adding some bourbon to your stout, tequila to your gose, or a tincture of pepper-flavored vodka to your pilsner? Learn how to recalculate your ABV including the booze addition.
Making a Frozen Stock Yeast Bank
Keeping your own yeast bank is surprisingly easy and quick to do if you have the right equipment. By having one, you'll save money, keep your favorite yeasts in stock, have a supply of rare yeasts, and you'll be able to help out your brewing friends in a pinch. Read this Homebrew Note to learn the details of how to Make a Frozen Stock Yeast Bank.
Tip: Stock Up on Gel Ice Packs
During various homebrewing tasks, you'll need to drop the temperature of liquids you're working with, that liquid often being wort. Of course, you'll also have occasions where you'll want to chill your delicious bottles or growlers of homebrew for drinking. Do yourself and your significant other a favor and stop raiding the ice maker. In this Homebrew Tip, we'll discuss creating your own stash of reusable gel-based ice packs.
Tip: Make a Sanitizer Spray Bottle
As you probably know, anything that touches your wort or beer after the wort has been boiled must be sanitized. So naturally, one of the things you'll find yourself doing all the time as a homebrewer is sanitizing something to keep your wort/beer from getting infected. The easiest and most economical way I've found to do that is to keep a spray bottle of sanitizer around for just such an occasion. This Homebrew Tip provides you the simple process for creating your own sanitizer spray bottle.