Top

Ask Mr. Steve

Mr. Steve teaching a class

How do I Bottle My Beer? I have been having a problem bottling my beer. Can you provide me some tips to better improved my finished product? - Craig K.

Bottling beer can be challenging, but is an important step to ensure a quality brew. The most important single time that I can provide is to make sure that everything remains sanitized throughout the process, including tools, bottles, and workspace. At Mr. Steve's, we provide several sanitizers to help homebrewers.

For a step-by-step process on how to better bottle your beer, download our Bottling Instructions PDF located below.

BottlingInstructions.pdf

Back to top

Cutting Recipe In Half Steve, Can I cut your recipe for raspberry mead in half? If so, what kind of adjustments would I need to make to it? - Don R.

Yes indeedy. Its not unusual for mead makers to ferment in half batches or even in one gallon batches. The advantage of this is that you can make small adjustments and do different variations without the risk of ending up with 5 gallons of something that you do not care for.

Simply divide the original recipe by the gallons you want to make.

Happy Mead making,
Mr. Steve Back to top

Fermentation Bubbling I am making a batch of Oatmeal Stout that I recently purchased from your store. The directions said the bubbling during fermentation would stop in approx a week. Well, the bubbling stopped about 2 days into fermentation. It was bubbling fine until the second day. Do you think something is wrong, or am I ok? - Duane

Wow...that is unusally quick. Although a low malt beer with less fermentables will finish rather quickly, Oatmeal Stout is not a low malt beer.

Did you use a liquid or dry yeast? The dry yeast ferment a lot quicker than the liquid. What is the fermenting temperature? Hopefully it's not in a cold place that the temperature dropped below 65F. The ale yeast like to ferment closer to 70F. If everything I mentioned is ok, then i would give the fermenter a vigorus shake and let it sit for a day and see if it kicks off again. If nothing happens, i would rack it to the secondary and keep an eye on the gravity readings to see if they drop at all. Keep me posted as to what happens. You can also call me at (717) 751-2255.

Hoppy Brewin!
Mr. Steve Back to top

rauchbier? Do you carry smoked malt for rauchbier or would I need to smoke it myself? Can you recommend what % of the grain bill should be made up of smoked malt so its good and smoky but not obnoxious? Thanks John Shuba - john shuba

Hi John, yes we do sell smoked malt. I just did a smoked porter and used 1 1/2 lbs of smoked malt and it imparted a mild smoked taste in the back ground of the beer and is not over powering.
Using  7-8 lbs of malt extract or 9-10 lbs of any 2 row malt would give you the same results. Thanks and ....Hoppy Brewin!   Mr. Steve Back to top

Ask Mr. Steve!
Now is your opportunity to ask Mr. Steve your brewing questions. To ask a question, simply complete the form below. Mr. Steve will review your question and may even post his answer on the website. Submit your questions TODAY!