Brewing Activities (2021)

Halfway there though! that's some strong will power, especially with all the beers you seem to be brewing

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. And yeah, it's tough but not in a way that indicates I'm an alcoholic, which is good news! (I mean, I knew I wasn't, but I worried that it would be harder to get out of the rut than it actually was.)

 

I'm with ya. More than half the reason I drink beer is because I love to brew, and experiment with a virtually unlimited combination of ingredients. The buzz just happens to come with it, which is a nice touch!

 

Got my whiskey barrel delivered a couple days ago, brewing the Barleywine today that will be filling it in about 2 weeks!

 

I'm having a somewhat slow work day, so I decided to pull some samples to see how they're progressing.



The first pull is from a beer I brewed in the summer of 2018, it was my second attempt at turbid mashing. Co-pitched with Northeastern Abbey & Amalgamation from the Yeast Bay.




Second pull is from the spelt table beer I brewed this summer. I have been using this as a component to blending back some of my more acidic beers. Having not tasted this in a few months its really starting to take on the some of the characteristics from the Fonta Flora Errday dregs I pitched in primary.




I don't really have a definite plan for either, other than blending back the older beer. I think the younger beer could be bottled as is. I also wouldn't be opposed to fruiting either, but that would mean letting these ride into the summer until the fun varietals become available again.

 

Agreed. I rarely get more than a light buzz on when drinking, but having a beer or two every day does lead to weight gain and other annoyances. So far I've lost 5lbs in 2 weeks and (this is the real bonus, possibly TMI) my often rather vicious gas has all but disappeared. My partner really appreciates it.

 

I've used Amalgamation several times in beers – both as primary and secondary fermenters. It's an amazing brett blend! I never thought tropical fruit, sweet tarts, horse blanket and slight cheesiness would ever be an amazing combination, but it is.

 

I love Amalgamation... in general I've liked everything I've tried from the Yeast Bay. The Yeast Bay Sour Blend is another awesome blend, every year I brew at least 5 gallons and just pitch that and let it ride for a year or so.

 

Do you mean the beta product, or Melange?

 

The Beta culture, TYB House Sour Blend.

 

Every 3rd week I carry a pager for sewer and water plants. No beer when carrying the pager. Always weight loss of a lb or two. Makes me look forward to Mondays, but not this Monday. MLK day and I still gotta carry. Just the way it is and no big deal.

 

There’s an old Chinese proverb that says the best time to brew a lager is six weeks ago. The next best time is today. SoI’m going to take my next stab at a Pilsner.

I’m thinking Best Malz pils, touch of Munich, acid malt. For hops, I have to say, I’m so tired of getting shitty old world hops. I have never opened a bag of noble hops and said ‘wow’. It’s no slander to the old country - but I just think it’s hard to get good quality noble hops in Canada. What’s your favourite domestic hop variety for brewing German style beers ?

 

Sterling is always nice for me. Willamette would be a close second.

 

Mt. Hood is also quite nice.

 

I will second willamette.

 

Starting Tuesday,,,,
Brewing Where's my ass , Molly, mole ale
Wednesday IRS light aged on oak. 6 abv instead of 9+

Sunday Irish ,,,, of course.

 

Crystal

 

Porter, the bastard stepchild of beer styles. “Oh, I have all these random grains. I know what, I’ll brew a porter!” Cheers!

 

I went with 2 grams of dried mushrooms in a 2.5 gallons. The maple flavor was strong at bottling so we'll see how it is after getting some carbonation. May try my first bottle next weekend.