Notes From a Homebrewer

Just another homebrew blog...

April 21, 2012 6:00 pm
Fastest brew day yet! Clocking in under just three hours, in fact. This Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone should take off fairly fast. That white glob on the surface is the dry yeast starting to dissolve. Should be a refreshing pint as the warmer weather approaches (or re-approaches).

Fastest brew day yet! Clocking in under just three hours, in fact. This Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone should take off fairly fast. That white glob on the surface is the dry yeast starting to dissolve. Should be a refreshing pint as the warmer weather approaches (or re-approaches).

April 13, 2012 5:33 pm
Transferred my American Barleywine to the secondary where it’ll sit and age for about 6 months, hopefully allowing it to mellow out. Should be cracking open a bottle around Christmas. Oh, did I mention this is about 12% abv? Truly a ‘high gravity’ beer.

Transferred my American Barleywine to the secondary where it’ll sit and age for about 6 months, hopefully allowing it to mellow out. Should be cracking open a bottle around Christmas. Oh, did I mention this is about 12% abv? Truly a ‘high gravity’ beer.

December 2, 2011 3:28 pm
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!

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!

November 18, 2011 1:17 pm
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…

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…

October 14, 2011 3:45 pm
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!

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!

September 16, 2011 11:47 am
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…

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…

September 2, 2011 5:53 pm
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!

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!