HOMEBREW Digest #4722 Mon 14 February 2005


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	FORUM ON BEER, HOMEBREWING, AND RELATED ISSUES
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Contents:
  PBW vs BLC (Lou King)
  Maillard/caramel ("Dave Burley")
  RE: Aeration stone cleaning ("Todd K.")
  London Breweries (Russ.Hobaugh)
  Lazy man's (or woman's) apple cider (HOMEBRE973)
  Re: Wine Country ("Dave Larsen")
  RE: WL Edinburgh ("Jim Mccrillis")
  Bruheat thermostat ("John Misrahi")

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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 05:39:53 -0500 From: Lou King <lking at pobox.com> Subject: PBW vs BLC I would have thought this was discussed before, but some searching of the hbd.org site did not find the answer I'm looking for. I have used PBW and I am trying BLC now. I want to know if any experts have compared the two regarding effectiveness in cleaning (maybe one is better at cleaning some things than the other), how much caution is required when using each, etc. I notice immediately that BLC dissolves more quickly -- well of course it does, it's a liquid. I also noticed that particulate matter seems to float in the BLC, while it seems to sink in the PBW. While I'm sure it's always better to use "clean" cleaning solution, I tend to keep used solution around for general purpose cleaning between sessions. Speaking of using dirty solution to clean stuff, I was surprised at the following: I put a couple of used beer bottles into some "dirty" BLC, and when retrieved days later, there was some obvious film on areas on the inside of the bottles, which did not rinse off. I don't think this would have happened with PBW, at least I have never seen that before. I *think* PBW is cheaper per use. It's hard to do the conversion now, but at (e.g.) MoreBeer, BLC is $12 for 33 oz and PBW is $19.95 for 4 lbs. The BLC makes about 21 gallons of solution (1.72 gal per $1), while the PBW makes... well, like I said it's hard to figure out but I'm pretty sure the PBW would make more. It seemed like my last 4# container of PBW made more than 34 gallons of solution (1.72*$19.95). On caution, I admit to being more cautious with the BLC than I was with the PBW. Maybe that is ignorance on my part, and I should be just as cautious with the PBW. I did see this subject in the archives and both caution and lack of caution were mentioned regarding BLC at least. I noticed a blister near my eye after a brew session, which could have been caused by a dilute BLC splash -- I have been wearing eye protection since. Does anyone else have an opinion on BLC vs PBW? Lou King Ijamsville, MD http://www.lousbrews.info Return to table of contents
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:21:02 -0500 From: "Dave Burley" <Dave_Burley at charter.net> Subject: Maillard/caramel Brewsters: Check out : http://www.bigpedia.com/encyclopedia/Caramelization Caramelization is the oxidation of sugar, a process used extensively in cooking for the resulting nutty flavor and brown color. Caramelization is a type of non-enzymatic browning reaction because it does not need enzymes. As the process occurs, volatile chemicals are released producing the characteristic caramel flavor. Process Caramelization is a complex, poorly understood process that produces hundreds of chemicals. Here is an overview: 1.. equilibration of anomeric and ring forms 2.. sucrose inversion to fructose and glucose 3.. condensation 4.. intramolecular bonding 5.. isomerization of aldoses to ketoses 6.. dehydration reactions 7.. fragmentation reactions 8.. unsaturated polymer formation Caramelization should not be confused with the Maillard reaction, in which a reducing sugar reacts with amino acids. Caramelization temperatures Caramelization temperatures Sugar Temperature Fructose 110 C Galactose 160 C Glucose 160 C Maltose 180 C Sucrose 160 C - --------------- Interestingly, these temperatures ( although degrees C is not the same as F) suggest to me that perhaps the low temperature kilning of lager ( typically in the (110-120F region) and pale ale malts ( often 120 -135F) might produce caramels ( perhaps via Maillard) from the fructose and that the higher kilning temperatures as in Caramel ( Crystal) and dark malts the caramel flavors come from other sugars. This is consistent with the relatively small amount of and distinctive "bready" rather narrow profile caramel taste in the lower kilned malts as they have a small amount of fructose and are derived from a single sugar type. - ------------------------ Also check out http://www.bigpedia.com/encyclopedia/Maillard_reaction#The_process Maillard reaction The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between an amino acid and a reducing sugar, usually requiring the addition of heat. Like caramelization, it is a form of non-enzymatic browning. The reactive carbonyl group of the sugar interacts with the nucleophilic amino group of the amino acid, and interesting but poorly characterized odor and flavor molecules result. This reaction is the basis of the flavoring industry, since the type of amino acid determines the resulting flavor. In the process, hundreds of different flavor compounds are created. These compounds in turn break down to form yet more new flavor compounds, and so on. Each type of food has a very distinctive set of flavor compounds that are formed during the Maillard reaction. It is these same compounds that flavor scientists have used over the years to create artificial flavors. Although used since ancient times, the reaction is named after the chemist Louis-Camille Maillard who investigated it in the 20th century. Contents [showhide] 1 Foods with Maillard reactions 2 The process 3 Factors 4 See also 5 External links Foods with Maillard reactions a.. 'caramel' made from milk and sugar b.. the browning of bread and toast c.. the colour of beer, chocolate, coffee, and maple syrup d.. self-tanning products e.. the flavour of roast meat f.. the color of dried or condensed milk The process 1.. The carbonyl group of the sugar reacts with the amino group of the amino acid, producing N-substituted glycosylamine and water 2.. The unstable glycosylamine undergoes Amadori rearrangement , forming ketosamines 3.. There are several ways for the ketosamines to react further: a.. Produce 2 water and reductones b.. Diacetyl, acetol , pyruvaldehyde and other short-chain hydrolytic fission products can be formed c.. Produce brown nitrogenous polymers and melanoidins Factors Pentose sugars react more than hexoses, which react more than disaccharides. Different amino acids produce different amounts of browning. Since the Maillard reaction produces water, having a high water activity environment inhibits the reaction. See also a.. Baking External links a.. Course website on Maillard reaction http://www.agsci.ubc.ca/courses/fnh/410/colour/3_82.htm - -------------------------------- For those with a desire to dig deeper, bedtime reading may be found at: - --Yaylayan, V. and Kaminsky, E. Isolation and structural analysis of Maillard polymers: caramel and melanoidin formation in glycine/glucose model system. Food Chemistry, v. 63, 1998, pp. 25-31. - --Yaylayan, V. and Keyhani, A. Application of microwave-assisted process (MAP) and Py-GC-MS to the analysis of Maillard reaction products, in Flavor Analysis -Developments in isolation and characterization, M.J. Morella and C. Mussinan, eds, ACS Symposium Series No 705, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1998, pp. 223-232. - --Yaylayan, V. and Keyhani, A. The origin and fate of a -dicarbonyls formed in Maillard model systems: mechanistic studies using 13C- and 15N-labeled amino acids, in The Maillard Reaction in Foods and Medicine, J. O'Brien, H. E. Nursten, M. J. Crabbe and J. Ames, eds, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, 1998, pp. 51-56. - --Yaylayan, V., Keyhani, A. and Huyghues-Despointes, A. Generation and the fate of C2, C3, and C4 reactive fragments formed in Maillard model systems of [13C]glucose and [13C]glycine or proline, in Process induced chemical changes in food, F. Shahidi, C-T Ho and N. Chuyen, eds, Plenum Press, New York, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, v. 434, 1998, pp. 237-244. - -------------------------------- I would add that more than oxidation of sugar as defined in the above first reference, IMHO caramelization is a dehydration of the carbohydrates which generates many unsaturated compunds which can lead to colored compounds (perhaps but not necessarily via oxidation) , polymerization ( as you know from the viscosity changes in caramel which you make it from sugar) and that caramel taste. The cooks among us know that caramelization can take pleace at the bottom of a boiling kettle where the amount of oxygen is extremely limited. The ultimate product of a caramelization reaction is carbon and why they invented Chore-Boy in addition to being useful as a hop filter for homebrewers. Also, I believe many years ago I learned that a by-product of a Maillard reaction is caramel.You will notice that even in this above explanation of a Maillard reactions ( which tries to distinguish caramel from Maillard products), the "caramel" produced by the reaction of milk sugars and milk proteins produce what is called a "caramel" and has nothing to do with the high temperature formation of dehydrated sugar caramel. It should be no surprise that I ( and a lot of other cooks and brewers) believe this Maillard reaction is a major pathway to the formation of caramel and bready flavors in beer in which the malt sugar has not been subjected to high temperatures. I look at the Maillard reaction as just one ( relatively low T) pathway to the dehydration of sugar and the formation of caramel. The Maillard may also produce other products, as does the dehydation of sugar, which modifies the taste profile. Perhaps the confusion lies in what is the definition of caramel or the failure to recognize two separate pathways to the same basic rich flavor. Keep on Brewin' Dave Burley Return to table of contents
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 06:32:14 -0800 (PST) From: "Todd K." <toddk63 at yahoo.com> Subject: RE: Aeration stone cleaning <<I have an aeration stone that I havent used for a while, and it seems to be clogged. I have tried both PBW and BLC and no go.What is the best way to get it into working order? Also could I use this stone to carbonate with now that I am kegging, I do believe it is a .2 micron stone, If I cant use it what size do others use? Thanks Quinn >> I had a similar problem after I let my stone (an aquarium stone) sit for a couple of years. I found that soaking it in 90% isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes did the trick. Vodka or 70% Isopropyl may work as well. I think we just want to soak it in something with a low surface tension. Todd K. Return to table of contents
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:31:07 -0500 From: Russ.Hobaugh at erm.com Subject: London Breweries Jim, I would highly recommend Young's which is about a 10-15 minute walk from the tube (can't remember which station to get off though). Most tourist maps will have it marked on there. Your other option is to get a hold of a CAMRA guide that rates the pubs near where you will be staying. Since it seemed like there was a pub or bar on every corner, I just tried as many as I could when I was over there! This was hit or miss as some had great beer, others didn't. What I found odd was that many of the pubs will not serve food, so be prepared. Russ Hobaugh Goob Dog Brewery, Birdsboro PA Return to table of contents
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:35:25 -0500 From: HOMEBRE973 at aol.com Subject: Lazy man's (or woman's) apple cider This is probably not a new topic for many, but with a slight twist. We discovered Costco recently and was able to buy preservative free cider. We also noticed that good old Motts now makes prevervative free cider from concentrate and juice. They are now pasteurized. We just happened to have 2 kegs in the chiller; one with an ale and one with a pilsner yeast. We shook the kegs a little to raise a little yeast into the beer and took off about a 1/4 cup of beer. We added this to a gallon bottle of apple cider (removed a cup or so for air space) and put on an airlock. After about 3 to 4 days we tasted it and it was a great clean slightly carbonated apple cider. We then put on the screw cap (jugs are the normal plastic bottles), put them in the frig. and we have been drinking lots of nicely carbonated cider. The cider from Costco (Martinelli's)which unfortunately, they don't have anymore, was clear and beautiful. But the Mott's with either ale or lager beer/yeast added, was also surprising good and refreshing with no off flavors. When we want more cider we just poor new juice on the lees or yeast keg left in the bottle. No yeast culturing, yeast nutrients, finings, or camden tablets. Andy Kligerman in Hillsborough, NC Return to table of contents
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:38:06 +0000 From: "Dave Larsen" <hunahpumonkey at hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Wine Country William writes: >Dave Larsen writes about his wine country tour. I would like further info. >on how he set up the appointments with the smaller wineries. I tried >personal e-mail but it failed. Dave, feel free to e-mail me directly. When we put together the list of wineries to visit, we originally had a much larger list. We were not able to set up appointments for all of them. As far as contacting the wineries goes, there is no magic bullet; it depends on the winery. Some will get back to you right away, while others you have to work on a bit to set up an appointment. However, we found that if they were not eager to get back to you, they were pretty quickly dropped from the list. For most of them, we contacted them by phone. They are businesses and are listed in the yellow or business white pages. In addition, most of them have websites with contact information and directions how to get there. In fact, that is the best resource to contact a winery. Some will call you the day before to confirm, I assume because they get a lot of no-shows. As a result, it is good to have a cell phone handy. A cell phone is also useful in case you get lost. Many of them are on back roads and it is easy to get turned around. Be warned, though, that cell service gets pretty iffy on those back roads. When we put together our list, we staggered wineries where we had to set up an appointment with ones where we didn't need one. That gave us the flexibility we needed to get to an appointment on time. If you are late, early, or have to cancel, call ahead. The small family wineries, in particular, are businesses with very few employees who are often quite busy, and they have taken time out of their day to visit with you. Be courteous of their time. That is pretty much it. Good luck. Dave Tucson, AZ Return to table of contents
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:58:54 -0800 From: "Jim Mccrillis" <gymemaq at earthlink.net> Subject: RE: WL Edinburgh John Misrahi asks about WL Edinburgh yeast being a slow fermenter. Yes John, it can be. A temperature closer to 70 will be helpful, also be sure to pitch a good starter, at least a 1/2 gallon. With those conditions it can really give you a good fermentation. Hope this helps. Jim McCrillis gymemaq at earthlink.net Return to table of contents
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 22:07:28 -0600 From: "John Misrahi" <lmoukhin at sprint.ca> Subject: Bruheat thermostat Is there anyplace that sells the thermostat device? I have a bruheat but I think the controller died today...I tried the reset switch, nothing..It just stopped in the middle of a boil :-( John Misrahi Montreal, Canada Return to table of contents
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