http://code.google.com/p/dropbox-api/
A while back (3 or 4 months) I emailed the guys over at Dropbox asking them about a public API. The response I got was basically that in the near future they will have something. I want it now!! Guess I will have to keep tabs on that Google Group (link above).
Wort chiller in 8qt pot
Yesterday I decided to build my own wort chiller vs. purchasing one. Why? Because I like to build things 
The total cost was about $50 but would have been less if I didn’t buy the tube bender (about $9).
I did have 8 AWG wrapped around each coil to reinforce it but decided to take it off because it spaced the coils out too much for my pot. Plus, by not having the reinforcement, I can change the height of the coil for slighter larger pots.
I still have to grab a few parts for the exit on the coil. You can see that I have no fittings on it. My plan was to just clamp the nylon hose onto the exit thinking that back pressure wouldn’t be an issue. It appears the pressure is greater than I originally anticipated.
 Wort chiller |
 Wort chiller side shot |
Solar comes packed with many different view helpers that will make your life easier, such as inserting images, creating links, and generating forms. However, sometimes a generic helper doesn’t cut it for custom behavior in a project. For example, I wanted to change the way form field hints (field descriptions) and error messages were displayed for the registration form at http://fahwebmon.white-box.us. Note that I am using Solar_View_Helper_Form::auto() to generate my form automagically. The only downside to this is that you do not have control over where errors are displayed on a page.
Coffee Porter bottled and ready to condition for 3wks
So here we are. All 50 bottles of Coffee Porter. I had some left over and I’m drinking it right now. I wonder if this would be good in the morning instead of just coffee
Porter vs. Sediment
The image to the right shows you that even after moving the brew to a secondary fermenter for an additional week, there is always crap at the bottom of the bucket. The left is the color the Porter is suppose to be whereas the right is the crap at the bottom of the carboy–I didn’t let that into my filler bucket!
[edit] I forgot to mention that I took a gravity reading after moving the beer to the filler bucket…I’m sad to announce that it is still at 1.020.
Coffee Porter pre bottled
Wow. Â That’s all that needs to be said. Â I am very impressed on how this came out. Â The coffee isn’t too overpowering and I think adds a nice flavor to the beer. Â Of course this is before bottleing the beer so there is very little carbination/conditioning.
I’m not sure that this beer needed a cold brew of coffee. Â As you may remember in a previous post, I expressed my concern about the coffee possibly making the final product too bitter. Â So far it is not too bittering. 1++
On a side note…auto siphons are well worth the money.
Sanitized equipment and bottles
Today is the day I am bottling the Coffee Porter and what better day to do it than on Big Brew Day. In celebration of Big Brew Day not only am I bottling, I am going to start my next brew, an Irish Stout.
The image to the left is where I stand in regards to my bottling progress. Everything you see in that image is sanitized and is drying off. You can see the new auto siphon that I picked up today (broke my racking cane last week) as well as all of the bottles I will be using.
So, for now I am off to get some well water. My house has city water running through it and that won’t cut it for brewing. Check back in a bit for the bottling/brewing progress.