| Author | Message | ||
     Hex |
Ok, I've made my second batch of homebrew. It's not ready to drink for another couple of weeks, and I'm set to make my third 5-gal batch this next weekend. It's somewhat of an investment if you want to control the process, the good thing is that 'it wants to be beer' so you can get away with a lot at first. Part of homebrewing is sampling as many different beers as possible to find out the type/style one likes. I have been doing this, and would like to share with you my list of great beers that I have available locally (BevMo, Total Wine and More) Bear Republic Racer 5 Indian Pale Ale, and Hop Yard Rye, Russian River Pliney the Elder, Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, Nut brown Ale, Old Brewery Pale Ale, and Indian Pale Ale, Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel, Westmalle Trappist Ale Tripel, Orval Trappist Ale, Maredsous 10 Tripel, Duvel Golden Ale, St. Bernardus Abbey Ale, Abt 12. I've tried a lot of other beers this year, but the above list are my favorites. Any serious beer fans or makers out there? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Russian Imperial Stout 12% alc and smooooth. Local brew house has it on tap; along with hosting 200 other brews. They have a 'passport' stamp for the beers, if you complete the entire inventory in your passport you get a plaque up on the wall. Good Pizza too. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
You need to hook up with Chris Dorn (Dobr24). He is an EXCELLENT brew master. His Belgian Wit is fantastic! | ||
| Hex |
Oh, I forgot Dogfish Head 90 min Indian Pale Ale. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
although the folks made a great wine, dad tried making beer back when we were kids and it turned into vinegar. never tried again after that. but home brew can be good if you know what your doing. ever been to the north coast brewery in fort bragg hex. | ||
| Spiderman |
My new Favorite  | ||
| Reindog |
Stone Brewery in Escondido is quickly becoming world class. Stone Pale Ale Stone Smoked Porter Stone Arrogant Bastard Stone Double Arrogant Bastard <- yucch | ||
| Nik |
Don't forget Ruination! Their (Stone) Barley Wine is really good when they have it out also. Another good San Diego brewery is Alesmith. Speedway Stout, yum... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Tried this one yet?  VERY interesting flavor. My favorite:  | ||
| Davefl |
What I am enjoying this week.  | ||
| Davefl |
What I was enjoying last week.  | ||
| Davefl |
Waiting in the wings of the fridge.  | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
My favorites in order: Anchor steam -old foghorn(barley wine) Thirsty dog brewing company's -old leghumper(porter) Great Lakes-Edmund Fitzgerald(porter) Sierra Nevada(porter) Icehouse when I cant afford the good stuff. Old Milwaukee is also good cheap beer. Old Foghorn is an awesome brew especially draft. On the downside its about $16 a six. | ||
| Davefl |
Oh, I just heard that the guy at our Wine and Beer shop just ordered some beers with me in mind  . So many beers so little time. Life is good for a Hophead. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Sprecher Brewery is a micro-brewery here in Milwaukee. Not owned by Miller or any other big name out there. I just tried their new Barley wine last weekend and really liked it, but my fav is BB.   | ||
| Hex |
I haven't made vinegar yet, it's caused by a bacterial infection--Acetobacter Aceti. http://www.vinegarman.com/zoo_vinegar_bacteria1.sh tml I use Iodine and Phosphoric acid sanitizers, and the beer (wort) is boiled for at least an hour, so it is sterile. Just gotta keep all the equipment that touches the cooled 'wort' clean, those little nasties stick to everything and are airborne. Too bad your dad didn't get over his first hurdle, maybe you'll pick it up again someday. It's definitely do-able and delicious. Just think Tax-free alcohol. I haven't tried Gonzo's or the 'Achs-du-lieben' Martzen, I'll get one of each and give a full report. The Chimay is good, but I like the Westmalle and St. Bernandus better. If you get a chance, try those Belgians. I have a great book called: Brew Like a Monk, it's not so much about exact recipes, it's more about the tradition and history of Trappist Monk culture. A good read for anyone interested in beer. Typically, I prefer bottle conditioned 'Real' ales. I don't much like force carbonated keg ale. I've never tried a true cask conditioned ale, but I'm eger. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I've had the St. Bernardus as well. I like it too. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Anyone else thirsty? | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Lagers fill me up like nachos. Ale makes me thirsty. I could use a Lager and an Ale, along with some nachos. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i don't think i'll ever get into it. i'm to impatient. having to spend every summer canning, making wine(and i mean at least 300 gallons+ mostly in barrels) i just lost interest in any thing like that. i do like trying different kinds of beer though. hope your stuff turns out ok. | ||
| Indybuell |
Sam Adams Octoberfest! | ||
| M2statz |
I just just finished an brewing an Imperial Stout that I triple Stout hopped. I have done this before. Turned out very well. It had a violent fermentation and blew the air lock. It has been named the "Meal in a Bottle" Currently have an IPA in the carboy that I used Cascade hops, it is smelling very nice. My brother has converted a room in his basement that he keeps at a constant 55-57 degrees to make some very nice lagers. There is a very nice small micro brewery in Stevens Point WI called O'So's, they make a very, very good Black Scotch beer, in my Top Ten at the last Great Midwest Beet Taste in Madison WI. | ||
| Hex |
I tried all the Sam Adams, and IMHO the best thing they put their name on is their new glass. I have four of them now. I'm just an extract and specialty grain brewer for now, meaning all the malt sugars come from commercially available, concentrated wort. The next step is all-grain, where you actually create sugar from the enzymes and starches contained in the malted barley grain. That said, my first batch was excellent, it was a London Brown extract kit from my local homebrew store. It was way better than Newcastle, light on alcohol, and extremely refreshing. 5-gal of beer is about 50 twelve ouncers and it costs under $30 to brew. It takes between three to five weeks from boil day, primary fermentation (4-days), secondary fermentation (1-2 weeks), and two weeks bottle conditioning (the active yeast create carbonation in the bottle). They didn't last long, thanks to my friends and family. My second batch was from the same kit, except I added a pound of malt extract power and a pint of honey (I had to pasteurize the honey first (170 deg f for 30 min). I also added some extra hops to counter the extra sugars and potential alcohol. The original gravity was 1.070 compared to the first batch 1.050, so if it ferments well, I should get near 7 percent alcohol this time. The primary fermentation was very impressive, I had to use a blow off tube to contain the krausen head. There are about 40 different types of hops, as well as many different types of malted barley and non barley grains. I even read someone making beer that wasn't too bad out of 'tall fescue' seed. Yes, the grass. So in just a few more short weeks, we will hopefully be enjoying a unique Honey Nut Brown Ale. | ||
| Hootowl |
"Stone Brewery in Escondido is quickly becoming world class " Aye. The Oaked Arrogant Bastard is their best IMHO. Hex, I have been homebrewing for going on 20 years. I'm into winemaking too. PM me your address, I'll send you a bottle of my Raspberry Lambic. | ||
| Danger_dave |
'Matter of fact, I've got it now.' Do you have 'trademark' sayings. Things you mutter to yourself at some trigger? I've been saying that for 25 years, Every time I go to the fridge and see Beer. Homer - Duff - Salivate, style. Just like this: Although lately it's also been like the guy who does the voice overs for hollywood horror movies. VB Rulez (Message edited by danger_dave on January 04, 2010) | ||
| Tbolt98 |
I really wish I wasn't at work! I passed on some Rogue Double Dead Guy Ale a couple months ago and now i can't find it again! | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Any serious beer fans or makers out there? Does a bear shit in the woods? Found this in AZ..I really enjoyed it.  Also if you are around the Freedom Trial in Boston stop by Cheers. Sam Adams offers a Red Brick that can't be bought in stores.  Since I can't get these two in Florida, I'll drink just about anything dark except Guinness. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I prefer ales to lagers, plus ales are much easier to make at home. Victory: Hopdevil ODell: 90 Shilling and St. Lupulin | ||
| Spatten1 |
Rogue Double Dead Guy Ale Rogue makes some great beers. Currently have an IPA in the carboy that I used Cascade hops I LOVE cascade hops, best aroma around, and it's distincly American. | ||
| Hex |
I had some Hopdevil last night! Great IPA. Lagers take more time and lower temperatures, from what I've read, fermentation gets down to 32 deg f for over a month while the Ales are at 68 deg f for two weeks. Lagers are still do-able with a temperature controller and a box freezer. Hootowl, pm sent! |
