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5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
10/26/2009 -- What is the shelf life of whole grain? How about crushed grain?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It depends on the conditions of your shelf, of course! Cool and dry conditions are best.
From a practal standpoint, grains can be stored uncrushed, in unopened bags for a year or maybe even more at room temperature. If it is crushed, perhaps 1/2 of that.
All grains should be stored away from moisture, sealed, and especialy protected from bugs and rodents!
10/1/2009 -- I'm want to brew a Cooper's or Muntons hopped can beer kit with two pounds of DME. should I boil these for a short period of time before adding to primary fermenter?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Altho these are billed as "no-boil kits" we believe that a short (15 minute or so) boil will improve your beer.
We like to add a little crystal malt to the water while it is coming up to a boil as well, removing it before the boil. A small amount of hops just before removing from the heat is also good. These two additions will add real character to your beer.
6/16/2009 -- Specialty grain question: When the manufacturer recommends a percentage of grains to use (say, 5-10% of total grist) can you give me a good formula to use to help translate this for the extract brewers? --for example: making 5 gallons of beer using, maybe, 6lbs of extract...how much of a grain would 5-10% be? Thanks for the Q&A website lessons, they help.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: A GOOD formula? Not really...only approximations because all-grain brewing efficiency varies from brewer to brewer. There is no exact relationship between all-grain brewing, and extract brewing.
BUT, having said that...
Here is a rough approximation:
It might take 10 pounds of 2-row grain to produce a gravity that is equivalent to 6 lbs of malt extract syrup (or about 5 lbs dry malt extract) in 5 gallons. Given this approximation, 10% of the grist would be about 1 lb of specialty grain. 5% would be about a half pound.
With respect to this product (Carapils), 1/2 pound would add quite a bit of body, and foam retention. I would start with about 1/4 lb and see how you like it.
2/12/2008 -- Is there a difference between Caramel/Crystal malt 60L and regular Crystal malt?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely none.
Caramel is perhaps an "older" British term for crystal that is often used in old recipes. Most people now use the term crystal. The intent is to use a grain that is "caramelized". Caramelized sugars are not fermentable, so they leave some sweetness to the beer.
The 60L is a color rating (called a lovibond scale) used with crystal malts, which is about medium in color. It is possible to get 20L (light color), 40L, 60L, 90L and 120L (quite dark). The darker crystals are simply roasted longer/hotter.
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will actually answer as long as it's business hours!
12/31/2006 -- I received my brewing kit from Homebrew Heaven for Christmas, and will be making the Vanilla Weizen. In the kit, the specialty grains have the cheesecloth bag. For my next brew, I'm planning on piecing together my own recipe, and was wondering if I order the specialty grains do you package those with the cheesecloth as well, or do I need to purchase it seperately?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You will need to buy that separately. They only run $0.45 each, so most people buy say 10 at a time, along with their order.
Enjoy your Vanilla Weizen!
11/5/2006 -- I live in Seattle, can I come and pick up the bottles in Everett? Do you have a "brick and mortar" store?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You sure can. It is literally made of bricks and mortar, in South Everett. Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
425-355-8865
Hours are 10-6:30 M-F
and 9:30-5 on Saturdays
Here is a video of the place:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Take a look around!
5/9/2006 -- I have noticed that all grain recipes often call for specialty grains. Am I supposed to mash the specialty grains with the base grains or do I add them after the mashing prior to the boil using a grain bag as I would if I were brewing an extract recipe?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: They should be mashed along with the base grains.
4/15/2006 -- I have a recipe that calls for 10L Crystal Malt, but you only offer down to 20L. What would be the result of substituting 10L for 20L? Would it just affect the color or would the taste be affected as well?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The loviond ratings are approximate only. Our typical 20 lov crystal actually runs about 17 or so. The affect is just little bit more color is all.
9/2/2005 -- I am looking for whole grains with hull. Do you have this option available?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes. Each grain has an "option" for uncrushed grains. It is selectable on our website.
2/18/2005 -- I made the Diamond Knot IPA a while back. I see that you guys sell the Crystal malt specialty grains but do you also sell the "Munich malts"?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we do. It is in the "Brewing Grains" category, since it needs to be mashed to use it (unlike specialty grains).
Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Product=896
11/15/2004 -- I noticed in the specialty grain section that you recommend to remove grains from the wort (in extract brewing) around 170 degrees F. All the recipes I've followed have me boil the grains in the muslin bag for some time, then remove them. Any advice, reasons, knowledge know-how is greatly appreciated.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Boiling grains is a BAD idea. Temperatures above 170 deg F will extract tannins from the grain. Tannins are the astingent taste you get when you bite into a grape seed. Nasty, and it can affect your beer in the same way.
10/9/2004 -- Hi! I have brewed a few batches of beer, and all have turned out well. I'm ready to move onto a more intermediate level. I've been reading about using strainers and "sparging" the grains when they're done steeping. I have the concept I think, but I was wondering if this step is even necessary if I'm using a nylon straining bag for the grains?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: With a loose straining bag holding specialty grains, it is not necessary. Sparging is normally only done in all-grain brewing (without the use of extracts) to increase the extraction from the grains.
9/25/2004 -- I have a recipe that calls for cracked black patent, it that the same as crushed black patent?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Exactly the same. We crush it for you if you like!
6/10/2004 -- Since I am new to Homebrewing, what is the differnece between Light Crystal 20, 40, 60 etc? I assume that the 20, 40, 60 rankings mean the same for other styles as well like the medium crystal? Also, can you give me an example when you would want to use say the light crystal 40 instead of the 60.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: These are lovibond ratings that correlate to color, primarily. A low rating, like crystal 20 will add less color than a crystal 60, for instance. You can use these ratings to "fine tune" the color of your beer. Additionally, a higher rating means more carmelization of the grain, and the flavor changes as it gets darker. A dark crystal will have a "raisen-like" taste, where a light crystal will add just a hint of sweet, caramel taste.
1/2/2004 -- How do I order grains in multiples less than a pound? ( i.e. 3/4lb, 12oz etc)
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We've now fixed our website. Click on "Options" and then you can select either pounds OR ounces! Remember, 1 pound = 16 ounces
7/17/2003 -- How do you package grain for shipment?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Typically, we heat seal it into clear plastic bags. If needed they are "double bagged" just in case.
You can have it crushed, or uncrushed. We can either mix the grains together or package them separately. These are the "options" you see on the right side of the screen.
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