I did my fourth brew this evening. A rather thick dark stout, I have confirmation that it was thick, as my wife commented as I was pouring it from the boiling pot into the carboy; “God that is thick and dark”. It was a Papazian recipe with some modifications. Kevin at Marcello’s helped me with the necessary substitutions, as they don’t carry hopped dark malt extract syrup.
Observation: As the mechanics of the operation become more familiar, the process is not as time consuming. I have gotten it down to three beers and one cigar. I could have probably stretched it to four beers, but my wife cut me off at three. She used her power of veto, as I had promised to help her with a project.
The O.G on this stout came out at 1.074, ten points higher than Papazian. I find that brewing beer is similar to Christianity: sometimes you just have to go by faith. (Beer Philosophy)
And yes I used a blow-off hose, and not a fermentation lock. I have heard some the horor stories.