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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:12 pm
by GCR
Sounds interesting, Glen... that's a pretty solid OG. Thanks for sharing. Did you add another yeast? We opted to stick with just the pin cherry. It was super hungry at the outset, but then it seemed to slow down relatively quickly.

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:10 am
by oceanic_brew
I also stuck with just the pin cherry yeast. I really wanted a beer that was just this yeast. Im looking at 78% attenuation so clearly this yeast has no issue chewing through it. However the option to add a second yeast and dry the beer out is a good one in this competition. I would not have wanted a second yeast at pitching, however.


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:35 am
by oceanic_brew
There's a lot of yeast in that paragraph


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:43 am
by oceanic_brew
There's a lot of yeast in that paragraph


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:54 am
by BobbyOK
Is that a hint that Pin Cherry 1's yeast flocculation is low?

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 9:44 am
by jacinthebox
My entry was bottled up last night (bottle conditioning)

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 12:25 pm
by oceanic_brew
The attenuation is low.

If I hadn't of made a starter, employed a high finishing temperature, and used some simple sugars I would not have gotten 78% attenuation.


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 9:55 pm
by jacinthebox
Mine got down to 91%...with some help

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 3:37 am
by oceanic_brew
jacinthebox wrote:Mine got down to 91%...with some help
I just did a second gen pitch into a 1.090 triple


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:08 pm
by oceanic_brew
Blackberry did not pair well with this yeast.
It was great in the keg for a week or so but has taken on this weird acidity. I did a blackberry Gose that was great. Ah well, better luck next comp I guess.


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:25 pm
by wcturnedec
Just pulled the bag of peaches from the secondary last night and was about to keg but there looked to be signs of a small infection brewing on top of the peaches, I'm worried its a dumper now!

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 10:19 am
by jacinthebox
Tasted mine last night...very happy how it turned out

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:46 am
by mckay75
wcturnedec wrote:
Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:25 pm
Just pulled the bag of peaches from the secondary last night and was about to keg but there looked to be signs of a small infection brewing on top of the peaches, I'm worried its a dumper now!

Mine did the same thing...tastes fine though. Sample it before writing it off!

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:52 am
by wcturnedec
mckay75 wrote:
Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:46 am
wcturnedec wrote:
Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:25 pm
Just pulled the bag of peaches from the secondary last night and was about to keg but there looked to be signs of a small infection brewing on top of the peaches, I'm worried its a dumper now!

Mine did the same thing...tastes fine though. Sample it before writing it off!
Agreed, it does taste fine and I have it crashing in the in the keezer to hopefully keep the infection at a minimum.

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 11:23 am
by oceanic_brew
My bottles all seem to have a little bit of a pellicle forming in the top of them. Hard to tell if it's that or just something from the fruit.

Tastes fine


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 12:39 pm
by jacinthebox
Just keep them super cold...that will arrest any further growth...if that's what it is

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:01 pm
by ackes
Tasted mine last night. Happy with the results.

Anyone hear of a drop off time / place yet?


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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:53 pm
by Woody
I'm curious about this as well. Our entry email says to arrange with Chalmers but I heard someone mention we could drop at Noble Grape?

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:02 pm
by know1
Noble Grape Oxford by the 22nd
Screenshot_20171118-210235.png
https://m.facebook.com/events/184014421 ... 3772742589

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:19 pm
by ackes
know1 wrote:Noble Grape Oxford by the 22nd
Screenshot_20171118-210235.png
https://m.facebook.com/events/184014421 ... 3772742589

Sweet ! Thanks.



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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:54 pm
by Woody
Not on facebook so good to know thanks!

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 11:49 pm
by mckay75
That says the brewery on the 22nd not Halifax.

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:10 am
by know1
mckay75 wrote:That says the brewery on the 22nd not Halifax.
You are indeed correct. The entry form and rules state samples must be 'received' by 7pm on the 24th. I would also assume they will be transporting them at some point on friday before hand from noble grape to the judging location. In other words, i wouldn't pish it too late on friday. If in doubt? Email jeremy directly.

It also states completed entry forms must be received by november 21st.

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Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 11:22 am
by Tim Gregory
Anyone have a copy of the official rules? I can't seem to find them anywhere. How many bottles do we need to submit?

Re: Big Spruce Homebrew Challenge 2017

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 11:40 am
by mckay75
General Information:
Open to all home brewers. This will be a BJCP certified event.
Registration Fee is $25 per entrant, payable by cheque or cash to Big Spruce Brewing. This fee entitles each entrant to submit one entry in the category we have selected for this years' challenge. First, Second and Third Place will be announced November 26th at 4pm at the Wooden Monkey Dartmouth. Entrants that place will each win a swag package, and the Best in Show winner will also be given the opportunity to brew their beer at Big Spruce Brewing for release in January 2018 at the 5th Annual Craft Beer and Local Food festival put on by Local Connections in Halifax.
Each Home Brewers' entry fee entitles the home brewer to a one of a kind Big Spruce Home Brew Challenge 2017 T-Shirt, and attendance at the post judging party at the Wooden Monkey Dartmouth location in Alderney Landing at 4pm on November 26th.
Interested brewers should do/note the following:
- Express interest via email to jeremy@bigspruce.ca. We will send you an entry form by return email for you to fill out and return to us by email on or before Nov 21st, 2017.

Rules:
1. Beer Style for the competition:
• Experimental Wild Ale - A Big Spruce proprietary wild ale yeast (sacc) will be made available to each entrant from Escarpment Yeast Labs in Ontario (sufficient for 25 litre pitch). Details regarding delivery of these yeast vials will be available shortly. Expect yeast to be available first week of October.
2. Entries are not permitted to be brewed on or at any commercial brewing location.
3. Commercial Brewers are not permitted to enter (employees at other breweries that are NOT brewers may enter beers brewed on their home brew system).
4. No kit beers permitted. Entries must be all grain, or extract brewed. Entries require a full documented brew sheet (attached) and must be commercially reproducible.
5. Entry forms should be submitted by email to jeremy@bigspruce.ca by Nov 21st, 2017. Entries (beer samples) must be received by 7pm on Friday November 24th, 2017. Entries can be submitted/dropped off at the brewery located at 64 Yankee Line Road, Nyanza, NS, B0E1B0. Alternatively, entries can be dropped off with Chris McDonald in Halifax. Please contact Chris at McDonald.chris@gmail.com too coordinate. Please provide us with 3 x conveniently sized bottles of each beer entered (341ml or 500ml bottles will do).
6. The “best in show” beer, as judged by the panel of BJCP certified judges, will be invited to brew their beer at Big Spruce Brewing for release in January 2018 at the Craft Beer and Local Food Celebration in Halifax, NS.