The Winter Beer Report
- Thread starter avi
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azal
love is the answer
FuSoYa
Lunarian
I KNOW they killed that guy because he was fat. It implied that his weight is what made him not able to control his ship well enough to avoid being blasted. Same with that dude with the mustache - they kill him and his mustache goes up in flames. It's a SUBTLE LESSON, dudes!
azal
love is the answer
we finally tasted our own winter beer and damn! that shit came out good! i'm a little tired of the style at this point, but it made a nice easy gift for plenty of people. cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar and not too overwhelmingly hoppy. in other news, our first batch of homebrew is almost completely gone. that means I best be making another.
and speaking of making another batch - we got a new homebrew guide for xmass with all sorts of clone recipes. Eric - you were talking about Goose Island, right? we've got a recipe for one of their brews. We were discussing doing a Chimay/Belgin style clone, but the yeasts for those styles are very very fragile so I think we're gonna hafta wait for warmer weather to do it right. Maybe we'll do a Boddingtons perhaps? I think an English bitter is in order.
and speaking of making another batch - we got a new homebrew guide for xmass with all sorts of clone recipes. Eric - you were talking about Goose Island, right? we've got a recipe for one of their brews. We were discussing doing a Chimay/Belgin style clone, but the yeasts for those styles are very very fragile so I think we're gonna hafta wait for warmer weather to do it right. Maybe we'll do a Boddingtons perhaps? I think an English bitter is in order.
chupe666
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Yeah, Goose Island makes some decent beers- Honkers Ale is their main beer, and it's basically a pale ale with a bit more body to it. They have another IPA as well, so it's not an IPA. From the tap, it's basically a pale ale, but what I've had in the bottle is usually a bit more full bodied. Nothing real wonderful, but probably the biggest brewery in Chicago, and solid stuff. I tried the Christmas Beer earlier in the thread, and it was decent- just your basic darker, robust sort of winter ale.
The ESB made by Schlafly in St. Louis (well, they bottle it in Minneapolis due to bottling laws in Missouri, but they brew it for locally for the brewpub) is pretty good. Nice flavor. But I still keep going back to the Frambozen.
The ESB made by Schlafly in St. Louis (well, they bottle it in Minneapolis due to bottling laws in Missouri, but they brew it for locally for the brewpub) is pretty good. Nice flavor. But I still keep going back to the Frambozen.
chupe666
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Hey avi: I am planning to home brew in the immediate future. Should I go for one of those pre-packaged kits at a local homebrew shop? How important is it to have a real nice stainless steel kettle/pot (i mean could I just use a $6 one that's sorta thin)?
And any advice/things to watch for hints would help.
THANKS.
And any advice/things to watch for hints would help.
THANKS.
from my limited experience - we bought the more expensive setup kit - twas about $80 or so. I just recently bought a second carboy for $17 which is really nice for quite a few recipes, but not required. It's for the secondary fermentation step. We got a decent 5 gal stock pot, but I figure the quality don't matter too much as long as doesn't have toxins, cleans fairly easy, etc. if you plan on brewing a lot, I'd invest in nicer gear rather than maybe deciding you want it down the road. I burnt the malt extract on the bottom of my stock pot twice so I assume having a better quality pot helped me get it clean.
Get this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...103-6232755-3583817?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
it's super casual, but still has all the detail you need. the mantra -"Relax. Don't Worry. Have a home-brew."
Also - made a new batch of beer on Saturday. It was supposed to be a Boddingtons clone, but I fucked up and bought the wrong malt extract, british light instead of extra light. Should still taste ok though. I hope.
Get this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...103-6232755-3583817?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
it's super casual, but still has all the detail you need. the mantra -"Relax. Don't Worry. Have a home-brew."
Also - made a new batch of beer on Saturday. It was supposed to be a Boddingtons clone, but I fucked up and bought the wrong malt extract, british light instead of extra light. Should still taste ok though. I hope.
one last thing! i bought my kit from these people here: http://www.oakbarrel.com/main.asp?PageID=156
located conveniently about two miles from my house (and just around the corner from 924 gilman st. if you care).
located conveniently about two miles from my house (and just around the corner from 924 gilman st. if you care).
chupe666
You may enter up to 25 ch
Cool, thanks. That's what I was wondering. I've read basic outlines of brewing processes online, but haven't picked up a book yet. That one and Dave Miller's book look to be a couple of the better ones, so I'll probably start with this one.
I'll check out a couple shops and see what they've got so I can get started soon. I need to clean all those bottles I saved, which will suck.
I'll check out a couple shops and see what they've got so I can get started soon. I need to clean all those bottles I saved, which will suck.
cleaning the bottles is totally the worst part of the whole process.
(108 posts and still on topic!)
(108 posts and still on topic!)
from today's SF Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/01/16/WI54035.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/01/16/WI54035.DTL
FrostGiant
Mr. Pibb > Dr. Pepper
You know what's a good beer? The one I'm drinking right now. Mmmmmm beer......
BTW, that's pretty impressive. All these posts about the topic. Amazing.
BTW, that's pretty impressive. All these posts about the topic. Amazing.
I'm up to batch #3 of my homebrew - it's getting bottled tomorrow, but won't be ready probably for at least 2-3 weeks. I also ordered this book:
very exciting! what to make next?
very exciting! what to make next?
chupe666
You may enter up to 25 ch
This weekend, I tried the Barleywine at local St. Louis Brewery & Tap Room. Got a growler of it to go home (like a half gallon). Real nice, fruity kind of flavor with plenty of hops. Real GOOD! Although I haven't finished it yet, and it's starting to go flat. Must take care of it soon.
Also, I heard a discussion on NPR this weekend about Port wines, which I'd never had before. A guy mentioned 2 that were inexpensive and not originating from Portugal - Ports are pretty much like Champagne, where if they aren't made in this one region in Portugal, they shouldn't technically be called a Port. But other places make them. I tried one of the ones he mentioned: KWV, made in South Africa. DAMN it's good. Nice, full red fruit flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. ALthough it's high in alcohol (19.5%), so I really only sipped it for taste. Probably only had like a shot glass of it. Really nice flavor, though, and it was only like $7.50 for a full bottle.
Also finally picked up a Kriek Lambic to try- haven't had one before.
Also, I heard a discussion on NPR this weekend about Port wines, which I'd never had before. A guy mentioned 2 that were inexpensive and not originating from Portugal - Ports are pretty much like Champagne, where if they aren't made in this one region in Portugal, they shouldn't technically be called a Port. But other places make them. I tried one of the ones he mentioned: KWV, made in South Africa. DAMN it's good. Nice, full red fruit flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. ALthough it's high in alcohol (19.5%), so I really only sipped it for taste. Probably only had like a shot glass of it. Really nice flavor, though, and it was only like $7.50 for a full bottle.
Also finally picked up a Kriek Lambic to try- haven't had one before.
oh yeah, I love me some port sometimes. Sipping a double shot is plenty. I don't much about various brands, though. Tawny-style port is a little lighter and a bit more raisin-flavored, if you're into that.
the best beer I've ever had:
holy shit, is that a good beer! it's an ale, but it's really really complex in flavor. I don't think a description from me would do it justice. Anyhow - it's expensive, but I bought quite a few bottles to keep me going.
I also had the blue-label Chimay (Grand Reserve, I think) this weekend and it was mighty tasty.
the best beer I've ever had:
holy shit, is that a good beer! it's an ale, but it's really really complex in flavor. I don't think a description from me would do it justice. Anyhow - it's expensive, but I bought quite a few bottles to keep me going.
I also had the blue-label Chimay (Grand Reserve, I think) this weekend and it was mighty tasty.
chupe666
You may enter up to 25 ch
I've heard of that Fuller's, but I haven't seen it anywhere yet. Maybe next time I'll ask them if they have any or plan to get some.
Yeah, I have no clue as to the differences between a reg port and a Tawny port. The other brand the guy mentioned as inexpensive but really good was from California, but I didn't have a pen & can only recall that the name started with an F and sounded like Feinckler or something. He said it was better than the KWV- a little sweeter than your average port, while the KWV is less sweet (although for my taste, it's sweet enough). That CA one was a Tawny, though.
I haven't tried the Lambic yet- the only reason I'm trying it is because of the Frambozen that New Belgium made. It's a totally different raspberry kind of flavor, and supposed to be more in the line of Belgian beers (they actually have a belgian brewer at their facility in Colorado I think). So, I figured the Cherry Lambic might be good. If I like it, i'll probably try them all.
Also- I never dug the Belgian ales before either, but there's an Abbey Dubbel ale that New Belgium makes that is killer. Haven't tried their Trippel or Single yet, but they make those too. I think I've only had the red label Chimay, but they're pretty similar to those- only much less expensive ($6.50/12oz 6pak). Check them out- although I'm not sure you can buy them in CA.
http://www.NewBelgium.com
Yeah, I have no clue as to the differences between a reg port and a Tawny port. The other brand the guy mentioned as inexpensive but really good was from California, but I didn't have a pen & can only recall that the name started with an F and sounded like Feinckler or something. He said it was better than the KWV- a little sweeter than your average port, while the KWV is less sweet (although for my taste, it's sweet enough). That CA one was a Tawny, though.
I haven't tried the Lambic yet- the only reason I'm trying it is because of the Frambozen that New Belgium made. It's a totally different raspberry kind of flavor, and supposed to be more in the line of Belgian beers (they actually have a belgian brewer at their facility in Colorado I think). So, I figured the Cherry Lambic might be good. If I like it, i'll probably try them all.
Also- I never dug the Belgian ales before either, but there's an Abbey Dubbel ale that New Belgium makes that is killer. Haven't tried their Trippel or Single yet, but they make those too. I think I've only had the red label Chimay, but they're pretty similar to those- only much less expensive ($6.50/12oz 6pak). Check them out- although I'm not sure you can buy them in CA.
http://www.NewBelgium.com
Yeah I don't think I've seen them, but they sound great. My gf is really into Belgian beers, so we've been drinking quite a few of them. My experience is kinda limited to the big names so far, but I like what I've had for the most part. One of these days I'll get a bit braver and try some of the different ones. There's quite a few Affligems at my local BevMo that I've been meaning to check out. I will def try to find something like that Frambozen. It sounds good.
Someday I'll learn about ports, but so far all I can say is I like what I've tried. Brand names and distinctions totally elude me.
Someday I'll learn about ports, but so far all I can say is I like what I've tried. Brand names and distinctions totally elude me.
chupe666
You may enter up to 25 ch
OK. I finally tried that Kriek (cherry) Lambic last night.
Man, it was way fruity. I thought it'd be more an ale flavor with a hint of fruit taste, but it tasted more like a cherry juice and club soda mix. Well, maybe that's a bit exaggerated, but it certainly didn't taste as much like a Belgian Ale as I expected. It did have a slight alcohol-y taste, but not much of a beer-like flavor. Not nearly as much as the Frambozen did, which is a Belgian style ale with Raspberry.
It's not bad- just not what I expected. I think I was looking for more complex flavors. I'll probably try the peach and raspberry, but if they're not much better, i don't know that i'll have them again. well, maybe. more like a fruity sparkling wine than a beer.
Man, it was way fruity. I thought it'd be more an ale flavor with a hint of fruit taste, but it tasted more like a cherry juice and club soda mix. Well, maybe that's a bit exaggerated, but it certainly didn't taste as much like a Belgian Ale as I expected. It did have a slight alcohol-y taste, but not much of a beer-like flavor. Not nearly as much as the Frambozen did, which is a Belgian style ale with Raspberry.
It's not bad- just not what I expected. I think I was looking for more complex flavors. I'll probably try the peach and raspberry, but if they're not much better, i don't know that i'll have them again. well, maybe. more like a fruity sparkling wine than a beer.
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