Beer: I Built a Hop Spider

So this weekend I randomly decided to build a hop spider. I was watching a video by Chop & Brew about a beer they brewed and aged it in a Woodinville Whiskey Rye Barrel. I noticed they were using one in the video. It seems like a neat idea for an easier cleanup. So I looked up how to do it here and made a trip to Lowe's to pickup some supplies. After posting on reddit, it seems like most people prefer the stainless steel option. The PVC I bought seems to be extremely tough and durable so we'll see. The heat distortion temperature of PVC is 197.6°F and most boils are 210°F+. Since it'll be above the boil, I'm hoping the wort vapor won't be too bad.  

The wife and I wanted to start up an online store selling random stuff we make and I've decided this is going to be my first item. I know a lot of people brewing are the DIY type, but some people may not have the tools or means to do so. I'm not looking to profit, but to help a fellow brewer out! More to come on the new store we're opening!!

Beer: Rye Whiskey Barrel

This showed up on my porch the other day. My brother got it for me as a Christmas gift and I can't even describe how excited I am to use it! I just came up with a recipe that I think will compliment well with the Rye Whiskey. A while back we made a beer called the Scotch Stout which had peat grains with some Ardbeg Scotch mixed in with it. Well, instead I took out the peat and replaced it with some rye grains and I'm hoping it'll be amazing. We'll see!

If you're interested in getting one, they rotate their barrels and sometimes have a Maple Bourbon barrel available which I can't wait to get my hands on as well. Here is the link: http://www.woodinvillewhiskeyco.com/barrels/

Below is the recipe I formulated!

Original Gravity:

1.087

Final Gravity:

1.024

ABV (standard):

8.21%

IBU (tinseth):

52.85

SRM (morey):

40

Fermentables

Amount	Fermentable	PPG	°L	Bill %
26 lb	United Kingdom - Golden Promise	37	3	73.2%
4 lb	American - Roasted Barley	33	300	11.3%
2 lb	Flaked Barley	32	2.2	5.6%
1 lb	Flaked Oats	33	2.2	2.8%
0.5 lb	American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	33	120	1.4%
0.5 lb	American - Rye	38	3.5	1.4%
0.5 lb	Belgian - Special B	34	115	1.4%
0.5 lb	German - Carapils	35	1.3	1.4%
0.5 lb	United Kingdom - Crystal 70L	34	70	1.4%
35.5 lb	Total

Hops

Amount	Variety	Type	AA	Use	Time	IBU
2 oz	Nugget	Pellet	14	Boil	60 min	45.73
1 oz	Willamette	Pellet	4.5	Boil	30 min	5.65
1 oz	Willamette	Pellet	4.5	Boil	5 min	1.47

Other Ingredients

Amount	Name	Type	Use	Time
1 each	Whirfloc Tablet	Water Agt	Boil	15 min

Yeast

Fermentis / Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05