Brew Batch #23 Hempen Hulk

Tonight The Enabler and I bottled 35 grolsch-type pints and 1 clear. This one was an odd light red in the carboy but a terrifically extreme pale when we poured it for tasting. We tried it and I hope it's a little better when cold. The color was a little disconcerting because I wanted more of a red hue and the taste straight from the bottle bucket was hoppier than I expected. I'll try to get a growler of Olde Auburn AleHouse's Hemp and see how they stack up head-to-head. Later I'm going to seal the bottles with purple wax and hopefully post a pic. FG 1.002 +0.002 @77.7F to give it 5.14%abv. Not bad for my first full-on recipe!

Our Tastes-- Dominion Octoberfest

One of the many beers The Enabler boot-legged from last year's run to DC. It pours a great medium brown/orange with a sweet malty aroma taste and light head. Of late Old Dominion has won the 2nd medal (silver) in three years for this beer at the GABF in 2006. It's brewed in the spring and cellared throughout the summer to give it an awesome smoothness. Maybe a little early for Ofest beer tasting but then again, "It's a Dirty Job" cleaning out the beer fridge. 5.4%abv. Prost!

Giving Props

If you're in Montgomery go by and see Ted at TedTheWineGuy for some great deals on grapevine brews. I've known Ted for a long time and he'll shoot you straight on any wine need.

Our Tastes-- Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale

Next in line this afternoon is the Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. Pours a dark golden honey color with a nice krausened head that if you pull on the aroma hard enough may make you high. Much hoppier than its brethren Pils at almost 60 IBUs. This one was created after tasting a table full of ales at Old Dominion with Ron Barchet and John Mallett (former Old Dominion brewmasters) in conjunction with Bob & Ellie Tupper of D.C. Brickskeller fame. "This beer was designed by skilled beer drinkers for experienced beer drinkers". Have it at 5%abv and celebrate the Gold from the 1997 GABF. Can you find the THPA symbol on the label!!??

Our Tastes-- Tupper's Hop Pocket Pils

In keeping with the cleaning of the beer fridge we found yet another pilsner to try and this time it was an Old Dominion brew from The Enabler's trip to D.C. last year. Tupper's Hop Pocket Pils is brewed by Old Dominion for that brewing company. Ranked by beer expert Michael Jackson as one of the top 10 beers in the US. It has a slightly darker color than the aforementioned PoleStar, an extremely cloudy unfiltered look along with a bit more sweet aroma and taste. Northern Bavarians used to call their beers "kellers" as they were aged in cellars dug into the sides of hills. This too is aged and dry-hopped using whole-leaf Saaz and Mt. Hood hops, not to mention the Saaz, Mittelfruh, Spalt, and Mt. Hood hops in the kettle!! This beer is bottle and keg conditoned to give it a thick creamy head. 5%abv with a head turning gold at the GABF in 2001.

Our Tastes-- Left Hand PoleStar Pilsner

Located in Longmont, CO; Left Hand Brewing Company has several different beers to sample. Using Rocky Mountain water, Perle, Vanguard, and Czech Saaz hops along with Weyermann Pilsner malt this beer pours a light straw typical of all pilsners with ample head. One thing The Enabler noticed is the "particulate" matter that seems to settle in the glass. Self described "hardest beer" they make tipping the abv scales at 6%. We didn't sample it in a true pilsner glass to show the color of such beers but the aroma from the standard pints was lightly hoppy;)

From The Ashes

If you can attend have a beer for me, I'll be studying for the boards. Olde Towne Brewing Company burned to the ground on July 4th-ish and FTH has ramped up an event to rebuild the state's only microbrewery. Go say "Hello" to Don, Alan, Milton and Kevin. Give'em a "War Eagle" for me!!