small batch # 3

I don't think so. Fat Tire maintains the diacetyl...as does Newcastle, Speckled Hen, and other english styles that are considered within style with the diacetyl. But they're not bottle-conditioned.

Maybe, with bottle conditioning? But then, I don't thnk you'd have enough viable yeast. Diacetyle rests usually occur during the last few days of fermentation...especially with lagers...where you will increase the temp some to get the yeast "excited" to do more work (it requires active or alive yeast). I will usually increase my temps with ales by about 5 degrees when I see that they are 3-7 points off from where I'd like to see them finish (gravity-wise). With lagers, I'll increase it maybe by 15 degrees. Sorry for the tangent...but maybe this helps you understand the process.

 

Good point on the barrel difference. My intention was to point out that it is that good.. MoAS blew my mind... Kraken from Blanco...blew my mind..

 

Houston folks, this is at Smith St. Spec's and Brandon tweeted he had some st D&Q.

 

Picked up a couple bottles from d&q ... still have some left....

 

I saw a lot of it at Central Market on Westheimer the other day...didn't get one... I wish they would just put a description of the beer on the bottle instead of driving us to scan the code and go to the website... I do have a bottle of the mesquite smoked porter.

 

This was a very tasty beer. It doesnt have a lot of traditional barleywine to it as the barrel is up front. Not in a bad way though. I think this was the best Ranger Creek beer I've had.

 

This stuff is DELICIOUS. Best thing I've ever had from Ranger Creek. I picked up a touch of the butteriness that y'all were talking about (mostly in the mouthfeel) but it was dominated by oak and english hops. Anyone who says they picked up "funk" or "sourness" in this beer might've gotten an infected bottle though, as I tasted none of that.

We were at Whole Foods tonight who had it on tap ($5/pint). Got one of those and IMMEDIATELY got a 64oz growler fill. It came out to $18 and change (including the growler), which I thought was a helluva deal when you consider they had 12oz bottles for $7.50 sitting about 20 feet away from the bar.

And now I have a Whole Foods growler, which will confuse the bartender a lot less than me taking a growler from another place in there. Do they swap their own growlers there? I forgot to ask. Just wish it were a

 

Which Whole Foods?

 

The mothership in Downtown Austin.

 

D'OH!

 

I leave Austin like... three times a year. If you read something from me, just figure I'm in Austin

 

Roger that.

 

Also, incorrect thread... but the bartender said that the Downtown Austin Whole Foods is going to be GREATLY expanding their selection to ~20 taps in the coming months (I think they have 5 right now). I think that will make it a destination for growler fills in Downtown... as they're willing to put any beer they have into a growler, regardless of rarity, for a song. Ya know, for convenience while you're buying your $30/5-lb bags of organic kitty litter.

I do wish they wouldn't let people ring up their ENTIRE grocery order at the bar though. That's annoying.

 

Small Batch # 4 coming out tomorrow --

 

Do we know the style?

 

Google told me...

Ranger Creek Small Batch Series No. 4
December, 2012
Small Batch Series No. 4 is our most exciting small batch release to date, and one that utilizes both aspects of our unique “brewstillery”. This beer takes our Mesquite Smoked Porter brewed to 10% ABV and ages it for 10 months in our own Texas bourbon barrels! Small Batch Series No. 4 carries a sumptuous nose of sweet oak, mesquite smoke, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow and vanilla, along with flavors of dark bittersweet cocoa laced with sea salt, smoke, vanilla, and caramel. While this warming winter release is heavenly to sip now, it will age and mellow nicely for up to 10 years if stored carefully.

 

Now THAT's one I might want to try.

 

I still haven't tried #3, guess ill crack it open tonight!

 

How was their smoked porter?