Fermentation

About 8 hours after the soon-to-be-beer was in the fermenter, it began to off gas just a bit.

12 hours later and it was a bulged fermenting bucket that had forced liquid (and sediment) out of any seam it could find. Another hour or two and I would have been cleaning not-quite-beer off the ceiling of the guest bathroom.

For the next 10 hours or so, it was check the airlock. Sanitize a clean airlock and replace the filthy one that was causing the fermenting bucket to swell again.

Bed time loomed large and I just took the cap off the airlock and left it over night. Next morning (this morning) I put the cap back on and watched exactly one bubble escape. At this point, I am now worried that my yeasties gave their all and are now exhausted... about a day and a half into the fermentation cycle.

Spoke with the local brew guru and he tells me that it is possible that the yeast are all done. But, to be sure I should take a gravity measurement and see where we are. At worst, we will have to pitch some more yeast. So, before leaving the establishment I purchased a hydrometer (three scale) and a wine / beer thief... and a four-pack of beer (Green Flash Palate Wrecker) that I had no hand in its manufacture.

Tonight we were greeted by the sight of a clean guest bathroom ceiling and an airlock that was bubbling just a bit faster than lazy. Reckon I'll leave the lid on and check it in the morning.

Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Wort

Getting close to the fermenting step. We'll see if using a  repurposed turkey fryer is a good idea... or if we just end up with turkey-fried beer.

There will be beer.

Haven't brewed in ages. Somehow got the bug again.

Russian Imperial Stout from a kit.

Got something in the mail today

The Complement of "If it saves just one life."

If it costs just one life.

Why is it that those who would use a simple two-sided statement don't see that is what they are proposing...

Home on the Range: Help the Family of the Fallen - A Raffle for a Good Cause

Home on the Range: Help the Family of the Fallen - A Raffle for a Good Cause

This. Thank you for the opportunity to help Brigid.

SG Ammo

The folks at SG Ammo are fantastic. Ordered a case of in-stock blammo on Monday and it arrived at my house early on Wednesday.

Big fan here.

I might add that I am awful happy that they had it as it is a brand new caliber here at the South Range.

Firearm Homocides Down

This bit from Pew adds to the body of data that indicates that "gun crime" has been on the decline for years. Wonder why nobody wants to talk about that?

Worthy of note is the blurb within the link that talks about suicides by firearm now account for 60% of firearm-induced deaths. Folks, mental health issues are serious business. Anyone who is serious about hitting the off switch, will do so with the most effective tool at hand. If a firearm isn't available, another path to the end will be chosen. Also note that the statistic is 60% of firearm-induced deaths are suicides... not that 60% of suicides are performed with firearms.

Irons in the Fire: Every miserable bastard involved in this

The link at the following story angers me at such level as to be almost unspeakable. If the story is true as reported at the link... every last one of those self-important government minions should be facing lengthy jail terms for kidnapping... if nothing else.



Irons in the Fire: Every miserable bastard involved in this

Apparently Purple Furniture

will cause your allergies to act up. ;)

The View From Under The Desk: Purple!

Standing Ovation

To the folks who captured the remaining bombing suspect. Handled much better than the executioners in California.

Tent

There is inside the tent and outside the tent. Inside and I will battle hell for you. Outside and I won't piss on you to put out a fire. Thought the definition might come in handy for some.

The previous post...

That is the letter that I finally composed and sent to my representative and senators. I received a canned response from my representative in less than an hour. Had they taken the time to read it and had they options in the canned letter department, I doubt they would have sent the we support restrictions letter that I received.

Sensible limits on gun ownership

Good Day,

Recent events have transpired which have been tragic, some say atrocious... myself included. These atrocities have been committed by a limited number of individuals who appear, in hindsight, to not have the same moral compass as the larger population. In other words, life is precious to most of us. Life is not to be taken or abused lightly.

While the more notorious crimes being covered in the mainstream involve firearms, there remain occurrences that do not. The folks pushed off the subway platform leap readily to mind. So, in this rush to do something, please remember that it is the person who is responsible for the act, not the implement the person used.

Further restrictions on citizen firearms ownership does not address any of the root cause(s) of the atrocities that we have, as a nation, faced in recent months. Removing or restricting private ownership of arms does not necessarily prevent much of anything except disarming those who would follow our laws anyway.

Mental health screening addresses one aspect, but is problematic in its implementation. Add that to the simple fact that admitting mental health issues is one of the fastest ways to be ostracized by the community and your peers and you have a solution that isn’t an effective solution.

Raging against modern entertainment is even less useful. If a person is unable to disconnect entertainment (video games, television, movies, music, etc.) from everyday life, making those things more taboo will only increase their mystique. The same can be said for firearms… the more we hide and demonize them, the more the mystique will grow. But, it will grow in the absence of knowledge and create its own dangers.

I have yet to read or hear any constructive method for preventing these atrocities. There is no way for us to know what is in the mind of man. There is no way to prevent bad things from happening. There is no effective solution to that which haunts our society. We cannot legislate evil out of the world.

The only thing we can do is to console our neighbors in their time of pain, offer our assistance to our neighbors when they are in need and prepare ourselves to respond when the mind of man reveals that it is intent on evil.

When new restrictions are brought before you or if you believe you have a solution that will remove evil from the world, please think about what has been said here before you act and see if there is any truth that will help you act appropriately.

And, if I may ask the kindness of a response, please share with me your thoughts on this topic.

With Warm Regards,