I've got about 15 gal of dark beer in my fridge. My roomie doesn't like dark beer--not even red beer! I've also got some wheat beer, so that's out too. I'm struggling to come up with session beer for the winter. It's got to be really crowd friendly. I've got nothing against doing another Kolsch flight, but I'm really having trouble thinking outside the box. Anyone been blown away by a particular hop for an APA lately, or added a large amount of biscuit/honey malt to an ale that was pleasing?
Simcoe....all Simcoe, actually. I did 10 gallons of a very simple APA as far as the grain goes (honey included, it's in almost all of my recipes!), hopped it sufficiently, and added some sucrose to the boil. It is tasting damn good out of the fermenter so far. I'm kegging it tomorrow, two separate 5 gallons kegs, one of which is sticking with Simcoe on the dry hop, one of which will get hit with some amarillo, citra, and more simcoe.
try a moderately hopped pale ale with cascade hops and a little crystal malt. If he doesn't like that, he's out of the club.
I wouldn't call this a winter beer per se, but how about an American Blonde with a touch of smoke? Your roommate will appreciate the light body and color - and the subtle smoke evokes the colder months. I know it sounds atypical, but I came across one at a brewpub recently and I left with a growler, I was that impressed.
Was given a bottle of Allagash House Beer the other day by their Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager. She said that it was brewed in the vein of Chimay Green or Westmalle Extra, the monks' beer. Damn tasty. I know Northern Brewer has the Patersbier kit year round, but I think they have a seasonal kit for the style right now as well. Anyhow, a Pilsner fermented with a trappist yeast is damn tasty.
