Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[jvls1942]

I broke down and went out to the shed for my drill and a drill bit.
I mixed up a six gallon batch of home brew German Pilsner beer. all I have to do is wait until it cools down so I can add the Yeast..
I can't handle the 90 pound glass jug I have it in. I have to take it down to the basement for it to ferment at 55F. Then I have to bring it back up and put it out in the sun porch to ferment at 35F for a couple of weeks.. I am going to split it into two three gallon batches . THAT I can carry up and down the stairs..
........jiminwaUSAu.........

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A 90 pound glass jug must be huge? I can't handle carrying anything more than a gallon these days. My spine compresses.

Wine, and beer. My husband would love to do that. Maybe when he retires in a few years.

 

[jvls1942]

Yup, it is six gallon glass jug, called a carbouy.
the glass is about one inch thick. the jug weighs about 45 pounds. then add six gallons of liquid and the weight more than doubles.
I split the batch into two 3 gallons. They are
in 5 gallon plastic pails. much lighter and
easier to carry.
I added yeast last night. they started working
almost immediately.
......jiminwisc.......

 

[jvls1942]

I weighed the jug, It is actually 20 pounds.
Early this morning I racked all three jugs of wine. One is about ready for bottling. I'm in no rush to get at it.
The beer is tucked away in the fruit room in the basement. It will stay there for two weeks.
then it will be transferred to the unheated sunporch for two more weeks..
......jiminwaUSAu........

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm having a rough time adjusting to our colder temperatures this year. I think I'd prefer to hibernate this year.

How cold is your basement Jim? Ours is around 55 degrees.

 

[jvls1942]

the basement in general is 60F. but the fruit room is cooler because I have it insulated and there is a 4" vent pipe where cold air can enter.
I need 52F to 55F for the beer to cold ferment.
then after two weeks it has to be 32F to 35F
this is cold brewing.. I have never done it before. but that is what the directions called for..
I couldn't do it in the summer time.
....jiminwaUSAu....

 

[jvls1942]

good morning
good bye 2020

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It has been a very memorable year.

 

[jvls1942]

It has been a very memorable year.

so maybe it is a good thing that I have a short memory.

 

[Cebarmlds]

I always start itching for spring to come and start planning in the winter. This year, I started some peas and beans indoors 2 weeks before Memorial Day (normal outside planting weekend for me) and they did amazing! I then planted some seeds outside when I transplanted the peas and beans into the garden, I had peas and beans for a longer time this year.
I have apple trees and plum trees but the one apple tree I would love to grow is a Wolf River. I have tried year after year and planting in different spots but it always dies on me. All my other apple trees do amazing. Does anyone have Wolf River apple trees? Are they picky trees?

My Wolf River died too. It was good the first year and had a couple apples, then it died. Got it from Jung.