So, I finally got some stuff finished up that is note worthy...
I cleaned up the kegerator yesterday and toook the empty Peaches Wheat out, along with the remainder of the Root Beer that nobody was drinking anymore.
I FINALLY kegged the Lucky Man IPA. Tastes and smells great...we will see how it is after it's chilled and carbonated. And then there is the Up The Kriek...
Wow. You talk about an interesting beer!! I tasted this while racking it on top of the cherries and, while the taste is not overly tart (there is definitely some there), the smell makes you think it's going to be more sour. This one is going to be GOOD when it's all done...
That's about all for now. I will post again after doing some bottling this week.
Cheers!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Christian's Brew - Brewed!
Christian's Brew-
8.75 lb. Golden Promise Malt
4.25 lb. Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt
0.50 lb. Crystal Malt I (45L)
1.00 lb. Flaked Barley
1.00 lb. Lyle's Golden Syrup (added @ 15 min.)
0.70 oz. Target (14% AA) @ 60
1.00 oz. East Kent Goldings (5.5% AA) @ 5
Wyeast 1098 British Ale Yeast
I mashed this beer for 60 mintes @ 148 degrees. It was a little cooler than I had initially planned (was shooting for 150), but I'm not complaining...
Looked great going into the fermenter (exact color I wanted) and fermentation started quickly!
Here it is less than 18 hours after pitching the yeast! Going STRONG! Started this on Friday, October 19th. Should be ready to be BOTTLED by the beginning of December. Special labels and all that jazz being worked on as we speak!
Cheers!
8.75 lb. Golden Promise Malt
4.25 lb. Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt
0.50 lb. Crystal Malt I (45L)
1.00 lb. Flaked Barley
1.00 lb. Lyle's Golden Syrup (added @ 15 min.)
0.70 oz. Target (14% AA) @ 60
1.00 oz. East Kent Goldings (5.5% AA) @ 5
Wyeast 1098 British Ale Yeast
I mashed this beer for 60 mintes @ 148 degrees. It was a little cooler than I had initially planned (was shooting for 150), but I'm not complaining...
Looked great going into the fermenter (exact color I wanted) and fermentation started quickly!
Here it is less than 18 hours after pitching the yeast! Going STRONG! Started this on Friday, October 19th. Should be ready to be BOTTLED by the beginning of December. Special labels and all that jazz being worked on as we speak!
Cheers!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
MEAD!
So, I just finished racking the Vanilla-Oak Mesquite Mead and the Purple Pyment over to finish clearing and aging...then I thought I may as well start a couple new ones!
In the picture, you see The Aphrodisiac (v 2.0) and Jolly Pumpkin. Both have been started this evening! Behind them are the Mesquite and Pyment, in case you were wondering.
Now we wait...
In the picture, you see The Aphrodisiac (v 2.0) and Jolly Pumpkin. Both have been started this evening! Behind them are the Mesquite and Pyment, in case you were wondering.
Now we wait...
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Christian's Brew
So, it's been a little while since anything has been posted on here...blame the weather! It's been too hot to brew and when I am doing random things (racking, kegging) I don't think that it is post worthy.
Anyway, as I have not mentioned on here before, I am about to have a son! In late December or early January, my girlfriend and I will be welcoming our son (his name is the title of this post) into the world. I want to have a beer ready to share upon his arrival, so that poses the question...what to brew?
I already knew that, if it were a girl, I'd have been making the Strawberry Fields Forever (Strawberry Saison). Since it is a boy, I don't want to make a fruity "girly" beer...I want more of a "manly" beer that isn't too big. I am thinking something like an American Stout, Robust Porter or Old Ale...leaning more toward an Old Ale, although I really need something that won't "offend" my friends that aren't too big on "dark" beers.
All these decisions...I do know this: this is going to be a one-off beer. I will make it only for the birth of my son and will not make it again, unless he asks me to make it for him when he's old enough...or heck, I may just give him the recipe and have him brew it himself.
Cheers!
P.S. - Any thoughts can be left as a comment!
Anyway, as I have not mentioned on here before, I am about to have a son! In late December or early January, my girlfriend and I will be welcoming our son (his name is the title of this post) into the world. I want to have a beer ready to share upon his arrival, so that poses the question...what to brew?
I already knew that, if it were a girl, I'd have been making the Strawberry Fields Forever (Strawberry Saison). Since it is a boy, I don't want to make a fruity "girly" beer...I want more of a "manly" beer that isn't too big. I am thinking something like an American Stout, Robust Porter or Old Ale...leaning more toward an Old Ale, although I really need something that won't "offend" my friends that aren't too big on "dark" beers.
All these decisions...I do know this: this is going to be a one-off beer. I will make it only for the birth of my son and will not make it again, unless he asks me to make it for him when he's old enough...or heck, I may just give him the recipe and have him brew it himself.
Cheers!
P.S. - Any thoughts can be left as a comment!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Bad Summer...BAD!
Okay, I think its official...this summer is too hot for brewing in St. Louis! I WANT to brew, but all the styles of beer coming up on my schedule require lower temperatures than my basement can hit right now. I guess if I want to brew before fall, I will need to get my chiller working ASAP!
So, all you gadget-minded people...I may need your help to finish getting my glycol chiller finished.
That's really about all I have going on right now. I am trying to wrap my head around the process and what all I still have to purchase in order to get it going. This is assuming that the A/C unit that was used before still works... I guess I will have to consult with others on this one.
That's it for the time being.
Cheers!
So, all you gadget-minded people...I may need your help to finish getting my glycol chiller finished.
That's really about all I have going on right now. I am trying to wrap my head around the process and what all I still have to purchase in order to get it going. This is assuming that the A/C unit that was used before still works... I guess I will have to consult with others on this one.
That's it for the time being.
Cheers!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Mead!
As promised, I racked the Mesquite Mead onto one vanilla bean and about an ounce of Medium Toast French Oak on Sunday morning...and I also started the Purple Pyment! Within a couple hours, the Pyment had a really nice krausen going, which made me very happy considering the yeast I used had been in the fridge for well over a year! It's nice to see that dry yeast, if kept cool and then properly rehydrated can take off like that even after so much time has gone by!
Planning to brew again in a couple weeks...hoping to get the "Strawberry Alarmclock" (tentative name) started as well as another batch of the Peach Fuzz (need a new name for this one), since I have people asking for bottles of it. I am also thinking of bringing back one of my old favorites, slightly tweaked.
I think it was my fourth beer that I had ever made...it was called Summer Sun Ale and was a light beer (I may use my Blonde as a base) that had Lime, Ginger and Mint in it. It was refreshing, and after a month or so of aging, it was REALLY enjoyable! I had a couple friends that were very sad when we drank the last bottle of it...
Anyway, I'm just rambling now...
More in a couple days, hopefully!
Cheers!
Planning to brew again in a couple weeks...hoping to get the "Strawberry Alarmclock" (tentative name) started as well as another batch of the Peach Fuzz (need a new name for this one), since I have people asking for bottles of it. I am also thinking of bringing back one of my old favorites, slightly tweaked.
I think it was my fourth beer that I had ever made...it was called Summer Sun Ale and was a light beer (I may use my Blonde as a base) that had Lime, Ginger and Mint in it. It was refreshing, and after a month or so of aging, it was REALLY enjoyable! I had a couple friends that were very sad when we drank the last bottle of it...
Anyway, I'm just rambling now...
More in a couple days, hopefully!
Cheers!
Friday, July 6, 2012
What a Day!
Got TWO batches done today! The base Lambic for Up The Kriek is done as well as the Lucky Man IPA! It was hot out...took FOREVER to get the beer down to 75. I gave up and put it in the carboys at that...I wasn't wasting any more water to get it to 70. It'll get there on it's own...maybe.
Now we just have to wait and see what happens on the fermentation side of things...I pitched two smack packs on the IPA. Why, you ask? Well...that's a secret...but I will tell you that I have something planned for the yeast cake!
On a related, but completely different note...I was on Goose Island's website (I know, I was shocked too) and found out some information about their Fleur, which I enjoyed the one time I had it. Made me think...I can make a beer like that! Found out it's a low-hopped APA (32 IBU) that has Hibiscus and a tea in it. The tea gives it a nice Strawberry flavor that I found appealing...it was the main thing I remembered about the beer, other than it was a ruby-ish color. Well, I decided to formulate a recipe for it using the information I found...I think I'll brew that one in the next month or so just for kicks. I have to re-think the theme for my Fruit / Spice line, though...there isn't a pun involving Strawberries!!
Going to rack that darn Mesquite onto Vanilla (one bean) and Medium-toast French Oak this weekend and start the Purple (Concord) Pyment...I am definitely back into this whole brewing thing!
More soon!
Cheers!
Now we just have to wait and see what happens on the fermentation side of things...I pitched two smack packs on the IPA. Why, you ask? Well...that's a secret...but I will tell you that I have something planned for the yeast cake!
On a related, but completely different note...I was on Goose Island's website (I know, I was shocked too) and found out some information about their Fleur, which I enjoyed the one time I had it. Made me think...I can make a beer like that! Found out it's a low-hopped APA (32 IBU) that has Hibiscus and a tea in it. The tea gives it a nice Strawberry flavor that I found appealing...it was the main thing I remembered about the beer, other than it was a ruby-ish color. Well, I decided to formulate a recipe for it using the information I found...I think I'll brew that one in the next month or so just for kicks. I have to re-think the theme for my Fruit / Spice line, though...there isn't a pun involving Strawberries!!
Going to rack that darn Mesquite onto Vanilla (one bean) and Medium-toast French Oak this weekend and start the Purple (Concord) Pyment...I am definitely back into this whole brewing thing!
More soon!
Cheers!
Monday, July 2, 2012
This town is too hot...
Well, the party went well and my Suicide Blonde Ale did not survive until the end! It tapped out about 8:30 that evening!! The other two survived, and are still hanging on by a thread...I really think they will tap out soon if I would actually get down there and have a beer!
So, here are some updates since the last couple of posts...
Up The Kriek Cherry Lambic (aka Kriek):
Still has NOT been started! I am going to brew this week after work, as evening brewing may prove to be a little less hot...so this should be started soon. I am going to make a dedicated carboy just for my sour "line" of beers. If this is even a close success, then this will be the first of many sours I will make!
Mesquite Mead:
Nope...crash cooled for a week and a half and still nothing! Time for the last-ditch effort of racking to another gallon jug and see what happens then. If it still doesn't clear, then I guess it will be time to put it on some fruit...heck, I may just do that anyway!
Now, some new stuff!
IPA, anyone?!? I am going to brew (a day or two after the Lambic) an IPA that I have tentatively named Shrapnel IPA (It's a hop bomb). I am looking for something a little more musically-inclined, though, as I am starting to lean toward that naming thought with all of my beers that aren't "special".
Here's a theme I've thought up for my different "lines":
Standard brews - Music-inspired names (ex. Suicide Blonde)
BIG brews - BIG names, possibly boxing-inspired (ex. Heavyweight Barleywine)
Holiday brews - Holiday / Seasonal names (ex. Long Winter's Nap Ale)
Fruit / Spice brews - BAD puns...will, as much as possible, involve the fruit(s) / spice(s) used
Sour brews - Witty / Comical names (ex. Up the Kriek Cherry Lambic)
If anyone has ideas, please feel free to share them with me!!!!
I'll have more after the next brew session! Cheers!
**EDIT - 7/5/12**
Taking 7/6/12 off to brew the base Lambic for the Kriek and the "Lucky Man" IPA! The Emerson, Lake & Palmer song, "Lucky Man" holds a special place in my heart. Hearing it while grinding the grain for this IPA (done 7/4/12) made me realize this is the perfect name for this beer.
New themes! - see original post above...it's been changed!
So, here are some updates since the last couple of posts...
Up The Kriek Cherry Lambic (aka Kriek):
Still has NOT been started! I am going to brew this week after work, as evening brewing may prove to be a little less hot...so this should be started soon. I am going to make a dedicated carboy just for my sour "line" of beers. If this is even a close success, then this will be the first of many sours I will make!
Mesquite Mead:
Nope...crash cooled for a week and a half and still nothing! Time for the last-ditch effort of racking to another gallon jug and see what happens then. If it still doesn't clear, then I guess it will be time to put it on some fruit...heck, I may just do that anyway!
Now, some new stuff!
IPA, anyone?!? I am going to brew (a day or two after the Lambic) an IPA that I have tentatively named Shrapnel IPA (It's a hop bomb). I am looking for something a little more musically-inclined, though, as I am starting to lean toward that naming thought with all of my beers that aren't "special".
Here's a theme I've thought up for my different "lines":
Standard brews - Music-inspired names (ex. Suicide Blonde)
BIG brews - BIG names, possibly boxing-inspired (ex. Heavyweight Barleywine)
Holiday brews - Holiday / Seasonal names (ex. Long Winter's Nap Ale)
Fruit / Spice brews - BAD puns...will, as much as possible, involve the fruit(s) / spice(s) used
Sour brews - Witty / Comical names (ex. Up the Kriek Cherry Lambic)
If anyone has ideas, please feel free to share them with me!!!!
I'll have more after the next brew session! Cheers!
**EDIT - 7/5/12**
Taking 7/6/12 off to brew the base Lambic for the Kriek and the "Lucky Man" IPA! The Emerson, Lake & Palmer song, "Lucky Man" holds a special place in my heart. Hearing it while grinding the grain for this IPA (done 7/4/12) made me realize this is the perfect name for this beer.
New themes! - see original post above...it's been changed!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Glorious Beer!
Well, the beers have been kegged and put under pressure...for about a week now (forgot to post - DOH!). All smelled (and tasted) great going in to the kegs...I have a good feeling about them!
Also, over the long Memorial Day weekend, I started the Kegerator! I have all three taps installed and once the fridge cools back down and I have the temperature dialed back in, I will cut all the lines, attach them to the kegs and get them all chilled and pouring! Oh, the bug has bitten again - HARD!
On the horizon (perhaps this week or weekend)...I will be "Up The Kriek"!!
Cheers!
Also, over the long Memorial Day weekend, I started the Kegerator! I have all three taps installed and once the fridge cools back down and I have the temperature dialed back in, I will cut all the lines, attach them to the kegs and get them all chilled and pouring! Oh, the bug has bitten again - HARD!
On the horizon (perhaps this week or weekend)...I will be "Up The Kriek"!!
Cheers!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Almost...
Well, I got the Meads and Cider bottled...all but the pesky Mesquite Honey Mead. That darn thing will not finish clearing!! Time to crash cool it and see what happens...
Anyway, I didn't get to kegging this weekend, but have plans on doing that tonight...get all that stuff under pressure and ready for drinking!
And...only about a week or two away from the big funky brew. I am getting excited about this one...now if I can only think of a name!
Cheers!
Anyway, I didn't get to kegging this weekend, but have plans on doing that tonight...get all that stuff under pressure and ready for drinking!
And...only about a week or two away from the big funky brew. I am getting excited about this one...now if I can only think of a name!
Cheers!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Back in the Saddle...
So, it's been a LONG time...
Saturday, May 12th, I brewed up two batches...the base for my Peach Fuzz Wheat Ale (the wheat without the peach) and my Suicide Blonde Ale. Both are waiting for transfer to secondary or kegs...haven't decided yet.
Monday, May 14th, I brewed up my new Brown Porter "Little Brown Jug". Almost hit my numbers dead on and it fermented FAST!! I think it finished in two days...now also awaiting it's next container.
This weekend, I plan on bottling up the meads and cider that have been sitting for far too long...only after a quick taste test to make sure they are fit to serve! They all look good, so I have good feelings about them. I also plan on transferring the beers to their next home, which very well may be kegs...they are clearing out nicely and look to be finished (gravity check will determine for sure).
I also have big plans coming up soon...a Kriek (Cherry Lambic)! I haven't thought of a final name yet, but I am thinking about:
Here's to Beer! I'm glad I rejoined this hobby...I almost forgot how fun it is.
Cheers!
Saturday, May 12th, I brewed up two batches...the base for my Peach Fuzz Wheat Ale (the wheat without the peach) and my Suicide Blonde Ale. Both are waiting for transfer to secondary or kegs...haven't decided yet.
Monday, May 14th, I brewed up my new Brown Porter "Little Brown Jug". Almost hit my numbers dead on and it fermented FAST!! I think it finished in two days...now also awaiting it's next container.
This weekend, I plan on bottling up the meads and cider that have been sitting for far too long...only after a quick taste test to make sure they are fit to serve! They all look good, so I have good feelings about them. I also plan on transferring the beers to their next home, which very well may be kegs...they are clearing out nicely and look to be finished (gravity check will determine for sure).
I also have big plans coming up soon...a Kriek (Cherry Lambic)! I haven't thought of a final name yet, but I am thinking about:
- "Sauerkirschen" (Sour Cherries in German)
- "Zure Kersen" (Sour Cherries in Dutch)
- "Sour Cherries" Belgian-Style Lambic
- "Up the Kriek" Cherry Lambic
- "Cherry Creek" Lambic
Here's to Beer! I'm glad I rejoined this hobby...I almost forgot how fun it is.
Cheers!
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