Just another homebrew blog...
Things just got a whole lot easier. Keg number two means I’m only bottling when I want to (big beers/cellaring). Gonna soak and replace the o-rings and then it’s ready for beer.
English Barleywine, 9% abv
The long wait is over, and what a wait it has been. Brewed way back in May 2011 this malty, sweet brew was an exercise in patience. Racked onto a yeast cake from a previous batch of English ale created a vigorous, and near violent, fermentation that had the carboy at near blow off levels. Sampled a couple after a few weeks of bottle conditioning and it was clear these needed time to age/mature. After 2+ months in the bottle they have finally come around. Good levels of carbonation and a mellowing of the strong alcohol flavor have made this a good winter beer to sip during these cold nights.
Cheers!
Smoked Porter, 6.9% abv
Mmm, smokey. One month in primary, one month in secondary, and a week and a half of bottle conditioning fared well for this winter time beer. Pours pitch black with a creamy, tan head. Mouthfeel isn’t overly heavy or thick, which is preferable. The flavor, besides being smokey, is rich and malty with notes of coffee coming through. The hops definitely take a back seat with this beer. Really smooth and easy to drink. This will make for a fine wintertime nightcap…
Cheers!
Sinistral Warrior IPA, 6.8% abv
Love IPAs, but this one wasn’t nearly as hoppy as it should/could have been. Had plenty of boil additions but surprisingly no dry hopping. Paired nicely with a cheese burger, though.
Looking forward to the next few batches, a Smoked Porter and a Black IPA…
RyePA, 6.8% abv
There are two things about autumn that I absolutely love. First, the weather. Can’t beat it; warm days and crisp nights with the rustling of fallen leaves. Second? The beer! Nothing quite compares to a good Rauchbier or a hearty Oktoberfest ale. The RyePA falls closer to the latter, being an ale, but definitely contains a smokey flavor/aroma. The rye malt, in additon to the barley, makes for an interesting combination with the relatively high level of hops present. Glad to be enjoying this brew on an ideal October afternoon.
Cheers!
Dead Ringer IPA, 6.7% abv
Gorgeous color with the flavor to match. This Two Hearted Ale clone (hence the name) is spot on. Piney hop aroma and a grapefruit-esque bite make this a fine ale during any season. Glad there are a few more to pour…
American Amber Ale, 4.9% abv
This brew turned out fantastic, will be doing again. It reminds me a lot of New Belgium’s Fat Tire…rich in flavor, medium bodied with hints of spices and caramel throughout. Letting it condition in the secondary for 4 weeks was probably a good decision. Cheers!
