Pages

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Life!

Well I've been too busy to blog but I've been brewing and planning...

Last night I finished up a Brown Porter.  A fellow homebrewer supplied the Golding hops and thus it's been aptly named "Mike's Brown Porter".

Last weekend, with some guidance from the good folks at Beau's, I attempted my own version of a Pumpkinweiss.

A week before that I brewed up a basic Pale Ale using Challenger and EKG hops.  It's dry hopping as I type and should be ready for the bottle tonight.

As a matter of administration, I believe I will now post recipe's and tastings at the same time.  No sense posting a failed attempt (which I have had recently), but I will ensure to tell you about my mistakes.

...and with that, I'll leave you with a couple pictures.  I present my Wry Smile Clone ...





Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tasting - "77 Ringwood Stout"

Brewday Post and Recipe
77 Ringwood Stout

Appearance
Dark Brown perhaps black, opaque.  When poured, toffee coloured head resembles whipped cream.  It lasts and lasts until the final drop.  Significant lacing throughout.

8/10

Aroma
Roast.  Coffee.  Little to no Chocolate.  Smells of malt with a faint hint of hops, Challenger hops work really well here.  Something else is there as well, perhaps a by-product of the yeast?

6/10

Taste
Roasty.  Slightly sweet.  I get a touch of "tang" and spice.  Not sure if again it's from the yeast?  The yeast was provided by a fellow brewer.  I stepped up from 2ml.  Later I was told the strain may not have been authentic Ringwood but rather a bottling strain.  I am not getting any butter/diacetyl but rather more spice.  Perhaps slightly phenolic.

6/10

Overall Impressions
I am drinking this too soon.  Needs more time to bottle condition and would make for an excellent winter warmer.  The slight tang is a little distracting, hopefully this will dissipate over time.  Over all, please with the grain bill and hop selection.  Perhaps a touch of hops near the end of the boil would make things more interesting.  Probably the best stout that I've made thus far.  The creamy head (giggle) is amazing!  Toast Barley Flakes do a fine job!

6.5/10

Monday, September 3, 2012

Tasting - "Amarillo Pale Ale, No Salts"

Brewday Post and Recipe
Amarillo Pale Ale - No Brewing Salts

Appearance
Picture speaks a thousand words.  Not sure if this amazing appearance is related to using no salts, or perhaps I was just extra patient with this brew.  I did give the brew more time in the primary and boy did it pay off.

9/10.

Aroma

Mild hoppiness.  Nothing over the top but quite inviting.

6/10

Taste
Nicely balanced.  True to style APA.

7/10

Overall Impressions
Pleased.  I don't feel the beer was drastically different due to the lack of brewing salts.  I'll brew again without water additions.

7/10

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Infection?

Details to come...

After some debate on my local homebrew clubs mailing list,  many feel the brew is not infected.  I went a head and bottled 15L this morning.  Will start drinking soon.