Brew Batch #204 Shepherd's IPA (Abstrax)

Man, this is gonna be an interesting batch in the head-to-head against the OG. Ultimately the final dry-hops were left off. CBB gave us some Abstrax samples they picked up of Citra and Mosaic, so the 2nd dry-hop of those was adjusted to liquid using the 5ml samples and a micro-pipette. Galaxy 2nd dry-hop was increased to 3.33oz but the others were converted to 2.5mls of Abstrax to give it roughly a pound per barrel hop addition that's more easily converted to bigger systems. I can tell you that when those bottles were cracked open they leapt from their containers! FG 1.005+0.0001@56F to give a solid 6% AND this was scaled down to a 5.25 gallon batch as opposed to 5.5. This doesn't sound like much but that's 1.5 gallon savings per barrel with only 2 single hop additions substituted OR an extra half barrel per 10 barrel batch. That more than pays for itself. Can't wait for taste off in a few weeks. 

2025 Northern Utah Homebrew Comp

Out of 144 entries and little local club participation on judging, I feel like Dwight did a great job of getting this comp together and completed. When I first brewed Little Sausages in a Can, I knew it was almost perfectly dialed in but I had no idea that in the land of lager quaffers it would receive a 🥈! The little Vienna that could garnished a 37 and marks the Mormon state off the list for me. Decent notes and feedback by at least one National judge. Broken to the Fist however didn't fair as well. 27 on notes of oxidation, they were both bottled at the same time the same way but that's what happens when you ship beer 1000 miles. Oh well, I'll be brewing it again soon anyway. 

Brew Batch #204 Shepherd's IPA (Abstrax)

Having not brewed this recipe since 23' (and still owing a buddy 18 bottles of it), we at Beat-12 jumped at the opportunity to do a little R&D with it. It's been 7 years since this recipe was first brewed and though there have been minor changes to bittering at times, it's still a pretty consistent crowd pleaser (comps not included). So, when CBB got their hands on a sample pack of Abstrax, we were more than obliged to help with a potential scale up. This version of the recipe saved on both volume to brew but T-90 pellets to use. Ultimately, all is the same with only the dry-hopping schedule varying. For the Citra and Mosaic 3-day dry hop additions, we'll be using Abstrax instead. This saves roughly 2.67 oz of each per batch on a 1lb/barrel scaling. OG 1.051 +0.001 @75F on a fresh LA3 pitch. 

Talking Beer the "R-eye-t" way

Provided by longtime friend and reader, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to repost this. Beer Syndicate compiled a 10 point list of the most commonly mispronounced beer styles and a little of their history. I must admit I've read through it a couple of times and giggled at my "new" found knowledge. Find your inner Rauk Bee-Eh, here.

Brew Batch #203 Little Sausages in a Can

Whoa-Ho-Ho Nellie!! The yeast cake devoured the wort on this one in a week. bumped it to 64F for 5 days then cold crashed it to give an FG 1.002+0.000 @62F. Makes this one 5.6% and has a helluva great color. If it's as good as the first batch, it's headed for some comps. The CBB mega pour of WL 830 off of some of his Southern Cross batches makes a profound difference when doing these lagers. Need to hit a Mexican and HOLD FAST! again soon as the temps are guaranteed to be sweltering soon enough. 

Brew Batch #203 Little Sausages in a Can

How about let's just take the yeast cake in the bottom of BttF and slap this on top of it?! Yeah, that just happened. Might as well have a lager going again and dunzo with this much yeast to chew it up in a few days. OG 1.044 +0.001 @75F puts it right in line with the first batch. 

Brew Batch #202 Broken to the Fist

FG 1.002+ 0.000 @65 only gives us about 3.8%, was looking for more 4.2-4.5% but the aroma and initial quaff seems quite pleasant. Being a huge Shōgun fan started this endeavor and I’m headed down the rabbit hole on this one. This is just regular flaked rice but I’ve already read up on using other styles like Jasmine rice for a little different touch. I’m afraid this may be a year rounder if I can keep the 830 yeast flowing and out next International lager entry at a homebrew comp near you. Domo arigato, Mr. 🤖-O.