making a batch as a wedding gift for a friend (not the only gift BTW) Any ideas on style? Was thinking a Porter.
I've done this a few times for wedding gifts. Made labels, waxed them, personalized some text, etc. Did a shandy for one (the couple's name was Shana and Andy, they were sometimes called Shandy), a Hefeweizen (my friend, the groom loved this style). Something cellerable would be good so they can drink it over the course of a year+. I've found every couple I've given this gift to absolutely loves it (or at least tells me they do).
It's really easy now. I have a template in word and just buy sticky paper from WalMart and print it in color. Wax is just crayons and glue. Super easy, not too $$ and very personalized.
What style do they like? My buddy had a bunch of us make beers recently for his wedding and it was either a beer we were known for or a requested style.
I did 4 varieties for my wedding 3 weeks ago and the biggest hit was a brown ale aged on black/rasp berries. 5 gal was gone 20 minutes after cocktail hour.
What is your timeline? Do you shave enough time for a lager or are you limited to ales for time? You may want to think about relevant styles at the time of their wedding as well.
Wedding is in July so no. Plus lagers are out because I don't have anyway to lager at the usual 50 degrees or so. Leaning now to an oatmeal brown ale like a surly bender type.
I did a honey brown to give away for the birth of my son six weeks ago. Not really my style, but it was a hit with everyone who tried it. I was looking for quick turnaround and something that would appeal to casual beer drinkers.
Lagering (cold conditioning) is normally done around 40 degrees or even much lower. 50 degrees is typical for fermentation of lagers. Not really relevant to your topic, but potentially confusing to anyone who might pick up on a (common) misconception.
something cellarable like a RIS or barleywine is nice so they can hold on to a few to drink on following anniversaries
Scaring me. Haven't made a "big" beer yet. Although that would really have been the best choice I think. Should have thought of this earlier!
No need to worry, my first three beers were a 10.5% RIS, 13% Barleywine and 11% IIPA. Fear no beer, just pitch the right of yeast \m/
