Our Tastes-- BlackStone Muffin Man

As an added bonus for the BlackStone "hard" 10K series, Red has blessed us with some Muffin Man. A nice light mahogany brown with light white froth and touch of ruby highlights. A nose of fresh gingerbread. Subtle tones of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove over the majority. A vanilla hint steps in with a slight touch of bitterness on the sides of the palate. The overall impression is great! For me a pint or two is max, but as a holiday spice beer, I wouldn't change a thing. However, Andy Mc would go more ginger forward and less cinnamon. This would be a sneaky little conversion beer that's not over the top and as it warmed brought forth other spices that weren't as apparent at let's say 44F.

Heart of Dixie Open Homebrew Competition

I entered HODO (the 1st legal homebrew competition in this state) with Reinke's Revenge 2013 and Andy Mc (Yard Dog Brewing Co.) his Not Your Mother's Milk Stout. Look who came in 5th out of 140. At least I got a koozy and t-shirt.

Now on Tap Wee Hefty

(Per Andy Mc): As excited as my four year-old on Christmas morn, I (Yard Dog Brewing Co) was ecstatic to see a huge present next to the tree, with my name on it. I ripped open the green and red wrapping paper, with total disregard for the time, effort, and craftsmanship it took to make the present look perfectly festive, and soon discovered the fruits of a secret collaboration between my wife (Troop Mom) and Frankie M. (Beat-12), a single tap kegerator. So what better way to toast the foresight of these two, than with the tapping of “Wee Hefty”. After I procrastinated with the decoration clean-up, and tree disposal, (Chipped, and mulched for all us green types), and with the help of Beat-12, fittings and hoses were secured into place. Serving pressure was set to approximately 5 Psi. then like liquid manna from heaven, out flowed my first pint of “On Tap” homebrew. The deep chestnut color emitted dark cherry hues as the light passed through. Like a thick fog rolling in over the Loch, a creamy tan head settled about a finger's width from the top of the pint glass. An aroma of mulled spices filled the nose. Upon first taste, the malty expectations did not play as forward as I would have expected. As Beat-12 so kindly suggested, “Mark the volume levels of your glass carboy to make sure the proper amount of H2O is added to have 5 gallons.” Good advice, ...check. A few more sips were taken, and a nice tartan lace formed down the glass. As the brew warmed in my hand, the spices became more present, to the point they tinged the sides of my tongue, and the 7.8% ABV was noticeable enough to give even Nessie a slight fire to her breath. Bombers will be sent to sister, and Mr. Mo (collaborative brewer), to get their beta tasting notes, and as belated Christmas gifts. But regardless, if it was giddiness from my first taste of tap beer at home, (Thanks again Troop Mom and Beat-12) this beer remained drinkable to the end of the pint, and most assuredly to the end of the keg. With more attention to detail of brewing practices and techniques, and spice additions, whether quantity or makeup, I would try this recipe again.

Our Tastes-- Against the Grain 35K

So on my latest trip, I circumnavigated the central part of the U.S.A. by rounding through Louisville, KY on my way to Pasadena, CA. I stopped in at the local Liquor Barn and low and behold 35K was on tap. This milk stout pours a smooth velvety darkness with a nose wrapped in the best raisiny coffee 7.7%abv profile I can imagine. The roastedness of the coffee is balanced well with the Nugget and Crystal hops used and the lactose gives just enough body and dark brown head to make this one dangerously quaffable! The tightness on the sides of the tongue is relaxed by the awesome dark plum alcohol warmth. Now wrap your brain around this, 70K.

Brew Batch #54 REINKE'S REVENGE 2013

Racked/kegged Reinke's 2013 tonight to a gravity of 1.010+0.001 @67F to yield a wonderful solid 10%abv brew. My only concern is that volume was low due to blueberry additions/racking trub at only 4.3Cong and initial tastes have it low on the berry profile. But next stop HODO, wish me luck. Andy Mc dropped in some Not Your Mother's Milk Stout as well.