Messages

31

Going Pro / Re: Job open in Tacoma, WA

« on: April 16, 2013, 08:20:36 AM »

create timeless Narrows Brewing "Classics".

ISO Giant Pacific Octopus Porter, and Galloping Gertie Gose.  I will probably stay away from the Tacoma Aroma IPA.

seriously though, always great to have more good breweries.  I'll be rooting for them.

cheers--
--Michael

32

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Begian Dark vs Quad

« on: April 15, 2013, 01:56:40 PM »

In my pea brain the Belgians are
Blonde, tripple and strong on the light colored side
Dubel, quad and dark strong on the dark side
Might find cherry or plum in the quad
Its keeps it simple so I can understand it

"Freedom is temporary unless you are also Brave!" - Patriot

not to be rude, but I don't see how that keeps it simple. 
there are most definitely cherry and plum flavors in some belgian dark strongs.  Even if this was not the case, is the possible presence of a couple fruity flavors/aromas enough to define a sub-style?  I don't think so.  What other differences do you see between them?

Denny's post keeps it simple - one is a subset of the other.  Using that rationale, Quad should be entered in Belgian Dark Strong. 

if Quad doesn't belong in 18E, then don't we need to know why?  What attributes knock these beers out?

cheers--
--Michael

33

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Begian Dark vs Quad

« on: April 14, 2013, 08:51:12 AM »

I've never really understood the difference either.

Are quads sweeter?  Gulden Draak is pretty sweet. 
Are their attenuation %'s lower?  I think Southampton Abbot 12 and Gouden Carolas Grand Cru of the Emperor are lower than La Trappe Quad, which is only slightly lower then St B Abt 12, which is quite a bit lower than say Rochefort 10.

Fruitier?  Rochefort beers are quite fruity.  La Trappe comes across as different fruit, as do the Unibroue beers listed in 16E.

Lower carb or fuller body?  Don't have enough spare liver cells to open all these simultaneously to compare.  Perhaps a side project for NHC attendees to taste a bunch of BSDA/quad together?   

I dunno...I'd like to see them all together honestly. 
I don't think I'd enter a strong dark belgian in 16E unless I had created a good clone of a well-known beer already listed there, or had created a Christmas-y/heavily spiced BDSA.  Just my two cents.

cheers--
--Michael

34

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lagering in corny kegs

« on: April 11, 2013, 08:22:07 AM »

I can't remember the last time I lagered in anything else.  Works great.

35

All Things Food / Re: Growing food - The Garden Thread

« on: April 10, 2013, 08:44:43 AM »

our grass just turned green this week too, and tree blossoms popped in the last couple days. 
it was 76 here yesterday but now 31 and everything is now covered with a quarter inch of ice.

36

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 08, 2013, 07:36:52 AM »

I forgot about the second bottle for mini-BOS...Mostly because it caused everything to go smoothly, and is generally an awesome change.  The competition isn't perfect but this is a big improvement.

37

Homebrew Competitions / NHC regional experiences

« on: April 07, 2013, 10:18:38 AM »

There have been a lot of changes, new locations, and more interest than ever before.
So, I'm interested in hearing how they are going!

I can report that the Kansas City Bier Meisters did a great, great job of organizing a successful judging weekend in KC.  I know they are exhausted now but I hope they consider hosting a regional in another year or two.  Some solid and some excellent beers from around the country, and judging done by around 5pm yesterday.  Sufficient lighting and not overcrowded.  The food was great and plentiful, thanks.  Quite a few judges made really long drives to help out.  Janis even flew out to help!  Yeah I did some b****ing about a few long flights, but that is practically my calling card.   

Looks like Category 16 is the most popular these days.  People love their Belgian Specialties...

How are the others regions going?

cheers--
--Michael

38

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 4/7 Edition

« on: April 03, 2013, 09:15:46 AM »

no brewing; NHC judging!

39

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA Action Alerts and other Government Affairs info

« on: April 02, 2013, 06:00:43 PM »

holy crap; nice job Alabama!

40

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Can't clean fermenter

« on: March 28, 2013, 11:04:12 AM »

I use fairly hot water with quite a bit of PBW, but I would caution anyone against overnight soaks with such a solution.  This will in my experience ruin your BB.

read their study and make your own decision.  Since limiting contact time I've had zero stress cracking in the BBs.  http://www.better-bottle.com/pdf/WashingSanitizingStudy.pdf

The stuff they recommend simply does not do the job nearly as well.  Also, I get my PBW fully dissolved in a bucket before pouring into the BB.  For truly stubborn gunk I leave it longer, but make sure the fermenter is inverted so I'm not exposing the bottom to the solution (the trouble spots are usually near the top anyway, right?)

cheers--
--Michael

41

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Favorite beer you've ever brewed?

« on: March 25, 2013, 11:11:17 AM »

A German Pilsner in 2010 that was darned near perfect.

Based on my taste test this weekend, this might be my answer.  we'll see what the NHC judges say in a few weeks.   

otherwise, a few batches of my robust porter or the "what the funk is that smell?" guava perry with french saison yeast I made last summer would be high on the list.  And just about every IPA I've ever made.

cheers--
--Michael

42

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC Competition question...

« on: March 16, 2013, 08:55:02 AM »

I would have also likely missed the deadline but Janet was nice enough to answer that question on the first reply of the thread so I made sure to put in a calendar reminder. 

Could have used the weekend to finalize my entries and I'm sure those that only got registered this week could have too.  Did have to get inventive in using only 50 characters, but so be it.  Everyone else is in the same thin-description boat.

cheers--
--Michael

43

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: BJCP Category Help for Deschutes Chainbreaker Clone

« on: March 13, 2013, 10:48:42 AM »

What you've got there is a 16E.

I would probably put something along the lines of "56-IBU, Cascade/Centennial dry-hopped witbier similar to Deschutes Chainbreaker."
I'm Deschutes' biggest fan but haven't had that one.  I'm assuming the standard coriander/orange peel are used?  If so I think the use of the style name is sufficient to get the ingredients across, but if not I'd plan to mention them.

cheers--
--Michael

44

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC Competition question...

« on: March 12, 2013, 07:53:37 PM »

general thought:  50 characters is not a lot of space to accurately describe what I've done with some of my creations.  This limit is making me reconsider which I enter.

45

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Mississippi homebrew bill clears house and is sent to Governor's desk to sign

« on: March 07, 2013, 10:08:39 AM »

just curious, but does the governor even need to sign it, or is this one of those things where the Gov has so many days to sign/veto after which it automatically becomes law?