Monday, February 21, 2011

Kegerator

My co-worker gave me his Haier Kegerator. He said it wasn't running anymore. I took it because I figured I could at least take the CO2 gauge, faucet, shank and maybe craiglists the rest. I gave him a 12 pack of homebrew for it. Well I plugged it in and like he said, it wasn't working. However, I wasn't satisfied with that. When plugged it, there was a click, the compressor started and then it stopped a few seconds later. This continued over and over and over. I figured there had to be a cause for this.


So after a bunch of hours of research online, I believed that I found that the problem was the relay and overload switch. So I went to my local appliances parts place and picked up a new univeral relay/overload for $15.50. Got home, changed it out and ta da, a working kegerator!!


So for a 12 pack of homebrew and less than $16, I now own something that retails for $600+.


It shows that with the internet, if you are slightly handy, you can fix almost anything.

If you are having a similar issue that after you plug it in you just hear a click, the compressor starts and then stops a few seconds later its a good chance that it is the relay and overload switch. My Haier kegerator has an LG compressor (MA53LBCM) which has separate pieces for the relay and overload. But I purchased the Supco Relay/Overaload Combination (model R081) which is a single unit to replace the relay and overall (two separate pieces) on the frig. I used this website to make sure I had the wiring correct for my LG compressor www.lg.com/global/download/brochure/rec_comp_catalog.pdf If you do not have an LG compressor, look for your model online to get the specs and wiring.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Cincinnati BeerFest

Had a great time at Cincinnati BeerFest. Well organized event and congrats to the organizers, volunteers and breweries. A nice turn out by breweries from all across the Nation. Wish I had some pictures to post but they were coming out just too dark. Very disappointing. Below is the list of beers that I tried.

Treog JavaHead Stout
Sierra Nevada Glissade
21st Amendment Back in Black IPA
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
Stone Double Bastard
Ellzebelle Belgian Tripel Stout
Rivertown Helles
Mt Carmel Nut Brown
Maumee Bay Pale Ale

I feel like I'm forgetting 1-2. Guess that's what happens when they are all 7% or better.

Will definitely check out this even next year as it continues to grow.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Breweries - Mount Carmel Brewing Company - Cincinnati, OH

After going to a homebrew demonstration at Paradise Brewing back in November,
my son and I swung by Mount Carmel Brewing Company to check out their facility.

Picked up a 6-Pack of their Winter Ale while I was there. It was bottled just the previous afternoon. Was great to try some beer that was so fresh!

Here are a few pictures of their operation






Thursday, February 10, 2011

Brew Day - American Pale Ale

Here are pictures of my last brew day.  This was my first all grain batch. Nailed all my numbers perfectly and was very happy with my first AG attempt. Flavor turned out great too, I think its my best batch yet!


Getting help from my assistant brewer.


FL Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
Recipe Specs
----------------
Batch Size (G):           5.25
Total Grain (lb):         11.375
Total Hops (oz):          3.00
Original Gravity (OG):    1.059  (°P): 14.5
Colour (SRM):             7.9   (EBC): 15.6
Bitterness (IBU):         37.9   (Average)
Brewhouse Efficiency (%): 70
Boil Time (Minutes):      60

Grain Bill
----------------
10.500 lb American 2-Row (92.31%)
0.750 lb Crystal 40 (6.59%)
0.125 lb Crystal 60 (1.1%)

Hop Bill
----------------
1.0 oz Cascade Leaf (7.5% Alpha) @ 60 Minutes (Boil)
0.5 oz Cascade Leaf (7.5% Alpha) @ 15 Minutes (Boil)
0.5 oz Cluster Pellet (7.5% Alpha) @ 15 Minutes (Boil)
0.5 oz Cascade Leaf (7.5% Alpha) @ 0 Minutes (Boil)
0.5 oz Cluster Pellet (7.5% Alpha) @ 0 Minutes (Boil)
Misc Bill
----------------
Single step Infusion at 152°F for 60 Minutes.
Fermented at 67°F with Safale US-05

Recipe Generated with BrewMate


Welcome to Four Leaf Brewing!

Glad you found your way here....

I plan to use this blog to log my travels through the homebrewing hobby. Since I pretty much think about homebrewing constantly, I figured I'd use this as my sound board to share with those that care.

Hope you enjoy and even learn something as I talk about my homebrewing experiences!