What to brew?

I am off on Friday and looking to brew...but I am torn on what I should brew.

Here are my options:
-13 Gallons Suicide Blonde Ale (3 Gallons getting "Peppered" in secondary)
-5 Gallons Prizefighter Barleywine
-5 Gallons Nogne-O #100 Clone
-5 Gallons Tunguska Blast RIS

Or should I come up with something completely new?

What do you think?

Trying something new...

I just opened a Nogne-O #100 "Barleywine" style ale. I heard about it on "Can You Brew It?" which is a Podcast put out by the Brewing Network staring Jamil Z. The brewer (from Norway) and Jamil agreed that it is not really a Barleywine, but it was the closest style that fit this 10% ABV monster! I have sipped a little of it so far, and I have to admit...it's pretty good! It is a simple, yet complex beer that really has a lot going on! There are hops (about 90 IBU, I would guess-they only claim 80, but admit they only count the 90 minute addition) and there are a lot of other flavors going on as well. They only use 88% Maris Otter, 10% Wheat Malt and 2% Chocolate Malt in this beer...hopped with Chinook (90), Centennial (15) and Columbus (KO) and then dry-hopped with more Chinook. They use White Labs WLP007 on this beer for the yeast...

I have to admit, I haven't touched it at all while typing (until now) and this beer is just getting better...different and VERY drinkable. I recommend it!

This past weekend...

So, Friday night did not go as planned at all! I caught a case of the lazies and didn't bottle a darn thing and was in bed by 9:45 (pathetic, I know)!!

Saturday was much better! I woke up and got over to Dale's (http://penrosepicobrewery.blogspot.com/) by 8:00am so we could carpool to the St. Louis Microfest Homebrew competition for judging. We got there and had a great time judging beers and chatting with fellow brewers from the St. Louis area...couple that with the severe weather and it made for a fun and interesting day indeed! I judged the morning session with John Sullivan (Light Ales) and the afternoon session with Larry "Lwood" Wood (Dark Ales).

Sunday was finally the day...after long talking about it, I FINALLY bottled! I bottled the following:

Stroker Acer Acerglyn
Cinnamon Stick Metheglin
Orchard Pear Cider
Rauch & Roll Smoked Dusseldorf Alt

They all turned out pretty well! I am really happy with the Cinnamon Stick and Orchard Pear. Pleasantly surprised by the Rauch & Roll and only slightly dissapointed with the Stroker Acer. The Acer should be better after some bottle-aging, though!

All in all, a good weekend!!

Bottling Tonight!

I have a lot to bottle tonight...here's the run down:

• Cinnamon Stick Metheglin
• Stroker Acer Acerglyn
• Wildflower Metheglin
• Pear Cider (may "eis" a gallon, just because I can)
• Rauch & Roll Smoked Dusseldorf Alt

Anyone feels like coming by and sharing a pint, give me a call!