blending home brew

I have experimented with blending before. One that comes to mind was a Tripel with Nelson Sauvin, I did not like that beer at all, but 25% of that with 75% of a different Tripel worked really well. I think I also blended the Nelson Tripel with an IPA, but that was a long time ago.

I have only done this with kegged beer, very easy to play around and see what works.

 

Blending is a good way to fix / utilize a beer that has some flavor issues. Blending in the glass is the most convenient and versatile way to do it. Blending two flawless beers can also produce good results.

IPA plus a Saison / Belgian can make a tasty Belgian / American Pale ale. It also gives you an idea how various hops blend with various yeasts without committing to a full batch.

 

I blend in the glass often when I have multiple taps going. Also, I try blending my homebrew taps with commercial beers. I have found that some commercial sour fruit beers that seem a little too sour are nicely tamed in something chocolaty, such as stouts, porters or browns.

 

I blended a Flanders Red I made with a buddy's Bourbon Barrel aged imperial stout and we both enjoyed it immensely. It tasted a little like chocolate and cherries.

 

When I have several kegs of different beers, I sometimes blend in a glass just for fun and to see the results. Nothing like learning new tastes and what goes with what. My best results are when I have blended two different types of Pilsners.

 

I've never really thought about doing this, but now I'm intrigued. Smoked bock/imperial stout here I come!

 

I don't know if this really applies or not, but I like to do gin rinses on IPAs and saisons, depending on the gin and IPA/saison I have at any given moment.