Topics

61

Other Fermentables / Wine advice

« on: October 22, 2011, 12:55:51 am »

Once again I'm trying to "educate" myself. Picking reds that are rated 90 and above but less than $13 a bottle. Had some very decent wine. Experienced some bold tobacco, berry and leather combinations from sweet to smooth and dry. California, Chile and Italy.

But I really don't know squat about it (wine) except that in this price range the wine begins to please my palate. Buy under $9 and not so great. So I'm seeking advice on wine. Even considering brewing up a kit from the LHBS.

Particularly, quickly noticing an enhancement in how I taste beer and food after having a couple glasses of red wine. Really wakes up the palate and I'm much more sensitive to flavors and aromas. Ideas? Thoughts?

62

Commercial Beer Reviews / Big Swell IPA

« on: October 15, 2011, 09:44:02 pm »

I've been savoring this "Certified Made On Maui" Maui Brewing Co IPA for several weeks. Has a sweet hoppy bitter roasty character. Fabulous effervescence (they really get it) and perfectly balanced. Nose bleed price tag at $10.99 a 6-pack. Though that's not unusual for premium American craft-brew. Instant convert.

Anyone? Have you had this?

63

Commercial Beer Reviews / Lagunitas Doppel Weizen

« on: October 10, 2011, 10:02:49 pm »

Interesting and actually refreshing beer for a nine-percenter. Bavarian-Style Doppel Weizen by Lagunitas. Needs more carbonation IMO but that's just my preference. What's more interesting is that it was "designed" by the Freistaat Bayern Brothers who were the builders of the brewery that brewed it.

Hope this isn't a limited release. Also, I got it for less than $5 per 20oz.

64

The Pub / Beer Thirty

« on: October 05, 2011, 12:34:22 pm »

Off on hump day. I got up at 1100. Did a few chores. Making Bean soup and browsing the web. Have not eaten a bite all day. But! Must check carbonation in new keg.

Beer Thirty wins. Despite not having eaten that beer went down good. Gonna pull another.

65

The Pub / Ken Burns' Prohibition

« on: October 04, 2011, 11:48:21 pm »

Wow! I didn't know much of this stuff about prohibition and consider myself somewhat informed. Homemade wine was legal but not beer.  You could still drink legally... Thought that was illegal as well. Makes the 21st seem much more relevant somehow.

Plus this is excellent Burns on his A-game. Very tasty.

66

The Pub / Prophets of Doom

« on: September 16, 2011, 11:56:34 pm »

I just watched it (Prophets of Doom) on History International. Discusses how oil, water, terrorism and artificial intelligence will have civilizational changing impact in the near future. That we are already experiencing it. Creeped me out even though I've been talking about this for years.

Anyone else see it?

67

General Homebrew Discussion / Without a second thought

« on: August 26, 2011, 10:11:51 pm »

Wanted Shiner. There was a 12-pack of cans for $13 on the shelf. Turned around and spied a cold 12-pack of Newcastle Brown Ale for $14 in the cooler.

68

Ingredients / Apricots

« on: August 11, 2011, 08:37:53 pm »

Finally found some nice fresh apricots at $4/lb. Bought 2 pounds to make the Aprikolsch. Think that is enough for 5 gallons? Plans are to let them ripen for a day or so, chop and freeze. Then drop them into a chilled keg in a hop-bag for 2-3 weeks. Should I serve with the bag in or is it better removed?

My thought is to serve on the fruit.

69

Commercial Beer Reviews / Pop a Böner

« on: August 09, 2011, 11:22:46 pm »

I've been seeing the Sun Kissed Wheat on the shelves for quite a while. A rule that I generally adhere to is to eschew beer/products with this type of marketing strategy. Flying Dog and their Ralph Steadman based illustrative packaging comes to mind.

http://maroonweekly.com/arts-entertainment/boner-beer-has-quite-the-back-story

As you can see I succumbed and bought a 6pack. Not to the marketing but a desire to try something new... As a "Belgian Wheat" the brew tastes kinda bland with some grains of paradise and citrus thrown in there somewhere. Low hop bitterness and aroma. Drinkable but not something I'm heading buy again. Doesn't strike me as a Wit either.

70

General Homebrew Discussion / Poured out that old Belgian

« on: July 20, 2011, 11:27:01 pm »

Past its prime. Way past. A Dubbel brewed over three years ago is now too sweet and without enough carbonation, hop bitterness or alcohol to balance it out. About a cloying 1/3 of a goblet and as it warmed up the appeal faded in proportion; so the beer was sacrificed to the sink.

I'm asking for advice on brewing Belgian styles cause mine have been hit or miss. I've read BLAM & FA and while they are informative they are also too generalized to glean much technical info.

So what has given y'all the best results when brewing Belgian styles? I want it all. And the pitfalls too please...

TIA

71

Ingredients / Impressions of Mt Hood hops

« on: July 17, 2011, 11:34:03 pm »

Mount Hood has been featuring in my Kolsches in flavor and aroma. For flavor I'm thinking spicy humus, floral and a faint bit of citrus- maybe tangelo or tangerine? Aroma I'm having a hard time with, but that's my weak spot tasting-wise.

Anyone familiar with these type of hops?

72

Equipment and Software / Kettle thermometer placement

« on: July 13, 2011, 11:46:28 am »

I just got 2 Blichmann BrewMometers and want to place one in my 80qt. Any ideas on placement? I'm only utilizing half the capacity of this kettle. I'm not totally adverse to using both thermometers.

73

Ingredients / Pearl 2-row

« on: July 03, 2011, 10:28:49 am »

I just picked a sack of Pearl 2-row Pale up from the LHBS for $39. I've never had grain so cheap. It was sold to me as Weyermann but says Muntons on the bag. So I'm assuming this grain is British 2-row. My intention was to brew and investigate the Weyermann and really didn't snap to what had been purchased until this AM.

Anyone brew with this grain? I've had good results with Muntons in the past but really wondering if I should take it back to the LHBS.

FWIW they also sold me 10' of vinyl 3/8 tubing instead of the bevlex I wanted. Which I needed anyway, but need new beer line even more.

74

Commercial Beer Reviews / Midas Touch

« on: July 02, 2011, 04:50:50 pm »

Beautiful golden hued strong-ale. Lightly bitter balanced by acidity and a faint honeyed aftertaste. I cannot taste the 9% alcohol. Lightly carbonated and medium-bodied mouth-feel.



As always a finely crafted product from DFH. Not really what I'm looking for in a beer but there's three more to "investigate". Maybe my opinion will change. It's been available to me for years but this is a first try.

Is this beer 100% hop-free?

75

All Things Food / Curry Powder?

« on: June 14, 2011, 11:38:15 pm »

I really like curry. Just about any be it green, red or yeller. But I'm out of pre-prepared Madras curry powder and want to try my hand with the spice grinder.

Ideas?