Current Beers

So, We have done our 1st and 2nd all grain beers! The smell is great and the effort seems to be worth while. We started with a basic ale that I am not excited baout, but at least people will easilly drink. The second is our Randy Reindeer that has expected outcome of 11-12% alcohol and hopefully the mistaken 16% we did last time. I changed the spices to be less clove and hope this will be smooth by the x-mas party to share.

My Belgium golden strong is going well, or at least limping along. We have found that with such strong Belgium 1 yeast addition is not doing it - they get overloaded and die out. We then tried to propagate more of the yeast from BJ's grand cru, but it was not having it - we are beginner yeast growers and this batch was not happy. So I settled on 2 test tubes of Belgium yeast and called it a day. I will take measurements again, and hope that next brewing I can get a yeast to sugar ratio that allows one yeast addition and not all this work! I probably with take 2 white labs test tubes and grow it healthy (we just concocted a stir plate and thus feel ready to do this). I think teh 2 tubes of yeast is appropriate, but also giving the yeast a few days to come to life and not be shocked by the addition to the beer will work wonders. I look forwar dto trying this - and possibly an all-grain version of the same beer after that.

We have on tap - BJ's Aby Normal, Our Rocky Raccoon, Soon will have my Golden strong, and also a ale in 2 weeks - time to get in the pool and have some people over! (for those interested, the co-ed baby shower will have all these beers along with burgers and brats if you want to come - just ask and i will give you the address, it is on Sunday the 26th at Noon and you can sample away :))

So much beer - so little time!