Brew Batch #80 Jake's Juice (AG#2)

What better way to open the summer since we skipped spring and never had winter! Got a chance to knock out Jake's Juice all-grain again. Hopefully dialed in the recipe a bit better today. Same grain bill used, addition of 10gms of Gypsum (Ca+SO4-). This may harden the water slightly and sweeten the taste just a bit. Sulfate portion of gypsum shouldn't make a big deal since it's effect is on hops and it's only got 2oz of Vanguard 4.8α at 60mins. Used the ole 2 different yeast strains "trick" again to see if Jake's profile has changed. Yielded 5C of 2565 OG 1.051+0.002 @77F and 4C of 1010 OG 1.052+0.002@ 77F. Even got hold of some honey harvested within 10 miles of the house.

Brew Batch #78 Chinook IPA

To celebrate the "Green Day", I started the morning by kegging Chinook. I've done this plus Centennial and the session IPA to get a better profile feel for some of these classic C's. Centennial is by far more floral than I thought by itself and Chinook the piney resin I thought it would be. FG 1.006+0.001 @65F. 6.56%abv

Ten Days of Darkness

Reinke's Revenge 2010, seemed like the only way to close the "darkness" out. I'll admit though this taster spree has put the bear in me. Right now, if I die I'd like dark beer for eternity. Only had a few bottles of this left and wanted to make sure I give it a good send off; however, if brewed again, regardless of year, I may still call it RR2010. The raspberries have hung in there like hair in biscuits! To fully appreciate this brew you'd have to have it, but unless it pops back up in 17' it'll be another year at at least. (got so busy drinkin' dark beer, I forgot to post this last week;)

Ten Days of Darkness

Lagunitas Imperial Stout. That dog reminiscent of the Little Rascals has grown on me. Each of their beers so far has been a great investment to broadening my palate. From Little Sumpin' Sumpin' to Achtuberfest to this one. A shared event with The Enabler on this 9.9% (for goodness sake call it 10). The aroma was nothing to write home about other than some roast notes and a touch of sweetness. Taste was what I would describe and unaged "green" in an imperial stout and I welcome that sometimes!

Ten Days of Darkness

Terrapin Wake N Bake, was initially released around 2005-06ish because Junk and I bootlegged the 1st of it into our state when Mark's package store go it just over the state line in GA. Part of the "Monster Series", WnB has always been a delicious nugget of mine. However, Jittery Joe's coffee hasn't always been in it. I distinctly remember one year the profile changing to a more profound coffee and it's been that way ever since. Made with 2 row, Crystal 85, Flaked Barley and Oats and some Chocolate, Black and Roasted barley; this 9.4% imperial is as named a "coffee oatmeal" that pleases. From what I remember though the old recipe was slightly sweeter, lactose perhaps? Even made ice cream with it once.

Ten Days of Darkness

How about another orphan brewery, Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast . A deep black offering covered in at least 3 fingers of tan head. Beer Geek is an oatmeal stout brewed with coffee, emphasis on coffee. Aroma fakes you out a bit in that there is just enough sweetness to make you believe that's what you'll taste, but in fact any sweetness quickly dissipates to a HEAVY coffee (heaviest I've been able to recall in a while). I also think this beer may have been brewed without hops, because I discern "zero" in the profile as soon as the coffee kicks in, which is midway through the swallow and then a sticky continually resounding coffee. Did I mention the coffee I pick up almost throughout? 7.5% and a suggested name change descriptor...COFFEE stout brewed with oatmeal?

Ten Days of Darkness

Perhaps my 2nd or 3rd BlackStone fav (1st or 2nd if you count the death of Maris Otter Pale Ale), Chocolate Milk Stout. This lactose laden cocoa nib pounded milk stout reminds me truly of a Hershey bar that's been left in the car too long. Not that thick, but the impression is exactly as the name implies in my mind's eye! Wonderful sweetened condensed milk nose with a full body and sweet stout chocolaty taste at 6.9%. I haven't tried Barista and Mocha yet, but this is by far my favorite stout they make.

Ten Days of Darkness

Oh boy, one I've had before but not for a while. The Duck Rabbit's Rabid Duck. A jet black 10% behemoth! Located in Farmville, NC; The Duck Rabbit used to be known only for their dark beers. Then as the company grew they through in a German Lager, Amber, Marzen and Wee Heavy. This is a 2007 ager that has held it's own nicely. Sweet cherry nose lending to a raisin licorice initial taste followed by a soft roasted grain on the end. I really like how this beer has held after 10 years!

Ten Days of Darkness

Sweetwater Festive Ale 2014, is an annual favorite of mine and in recent years has become more scarce in my locale. I've found that trying this one "green" is equally as rewarding as the ones I've got aging from 2002! Nice profile changes occur from year to year, but this is the first vintage I grabbed out of the fridge. The cinnamon and mace is still very prevalent and the slick vanilla tones can't be denied. With a thinner body than you'd expect, you can crush them, but at 8.3% I'm not sure how many of them you would be ABLE to crush.

Ten Days of Darkness

Staying true to the darker hue, EvilTwin Brewing Even More Jesus. A 12% Imperial Stout, from the can no less! Black doesn't even begin to describe it's color with an aroma of chocolate and coffee. The alcohol is smooth and noticeable. Finishes relatively roasty overall. This is a great "go-to" imperial in the can. Apparently EvilTwin is an orphan brewery but Westbrook Brewing Co, seems to contract a lot of their stuff including this one.

Ten Days of Darkness

Next up, a local brew, Black Warrior Oatmeal Stout. Made in T-town, which isn't that bad when it comes to beer, if it's Nat'l Championship beer, but this one is not. A draft pour with decent head and great medium darkness, but a thinness in body and mouthfeel that can't be overlooked. I liked it and would drink it again if given it, just not sure I would purchase it again. I'd like more body in this 5.6%er, which is an easy fix, so perhaps I'll venture into BW's Oatmeal Stout later. 

Ten Days of Darkness

As we close in on my favorite holiday, I've decided to stretch the liver with 10 days of darkness. Meaning a week and a half of nothing but wonderful stouts! Today let's start with an American nitro stout, Left Hand's Milk Stout Nitro  (plus it comes with a handy Untappd badge;) Pour it hard is right, because the very thick head quickly dissipates to a reasonable level. A darkness that sunlight doesn't pass through pairs with a nose of light maltose sweetness. The mouthfeel is medium to full with a more roasty taste profile than I was expecting, yet not a detractor as I continue the beer. Not a chocolate milk stout by any means, I'll be having that winner later next week. 5.6%abv, using 2-row, Crystal, Munich, RB, Flaked Oats, Flaked barley and Chocolate malt (should have added some nibs in my opinion). I like LH brews but this one could have been better.