Oh, happy day! I had a bit of a financial windfall, so I was able to obtain a Chilly-Bin (the Warehouse was getting rid of 'em cheap with summer on the way out) and some other odds and sods with which to make a Mash Tun! I'm about to get dangerously funky with some all-grain brewing, but before I do, I've got two last batches to fire off...
Just for shits and giggles - and to give a little something to the gluten-intolerant in my life - I'm brewing up some apple cider from an extract kit next. I'm not the biggest cider buff, but it'll be an interesting challenge to brew something that I myself would like. And because it's an extract (with a few tweaks here and there!), it'll be a nice, easy project with which to christen the new stove.
I just made a starter (not really knowing if one even makes yeast starters for cider) with about 1/2 cup of extract, water and cider yeast. I was a bit wary about the piddly-ass starter I had last time, as the one I've got now is a whopping 950ml! I hope a little extra won't adversely affect the proceedings. After the cider is done and racked to a secondary, the last partial mash I'll be doing is a Porter. If nothing else, it'll be a chance to take the Mash Tun for a bit of a hoon before going all the way grain.
On the plus side, the new stove fucking CRANKS! I've got no doubt it'll be able to handle a 30L stockpot, so I guess I don't need a gas burner after all. As for cooling it, Celia suggested a big-ass rubbish bin into which I'll put water and ice, in lieu of a big enough sink.
After a week in the glass carboy, the Cerveza has cleared up beautifully. Every body in my body wants to bottle it NOW, but impatience has gotten the better of me with every other batch, so not this time! I'll give it another week yet.
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