Jan 31, 2018

Our Tastes-- Rinse N Repeat Amarillo, Citra, El Do

Nose more citrus than previous NEIPA (Mosaic) with color about the same which leads me to believe I am on the right track with only minor grain changes on the current BP (Bearded Pharmacist) series! I've learned you can have relatively the same malt bill for these types of beers then alter the whirlpool and dry-hopping hops just enough to make a huge difference. They're by far cheaper than commercial stuff to brew at home but with about a 20% trub loss. The Amarillo, Citra, El Dorado offering is by far my favorite to date and at 7% is still an easy 2 or 3 then done, ....maybe.

Our Tastes-- Rinse N Repeat Citrus Redacted


Another Westbrook "chase card" in the NEIPA series, well not really it's an Imperial IPA in the middle of the NEIPA releases, so not quite the 30 day urgency to imbibe, but the fresher the better nonetheless. Little info on WB's website but then again their blog hasn't been touched in years and yet has a link on the homepage. Huge citrus grapefruit notes on the aroma and a touch of peel and lemony/lime on the back end. "This beer combines three of our favorite things: juicy fresh-squeezed hops, zesty and bright citrus fruits, and a cryptic name" Hope they're friends with Pipeworks. Get some!

Our Tastes-- Rinse N Repeat Mosaic

The second as best as I can tell in Westbrook's well sought after and very addictive NEIPA series. Coming in 16oz 4-pack cans (with easily peeled labels for magnets) this 7% is a cloudy medium straw with thick white froth atop. The Mosaic® profile is full and upfront on nose and taste to the point of almost onion. This hop being a daughter of Simcoe and Nugget does however open my mind to pairings of my own on certain juice bombs I'm brewing. Overall impression is a find it and drink it now as this is the beer that opened my mind to brewing an NEIPA of my own, at cheaper than $20/4!!

Jan 26, 2018

Brew Batch #86 REINKE'S REVENGE 2017

Into the keg it went today and 40lbs of CO2 pressure on it just in case we need another KC Brew comp entry. FG 1.021@ 45F to give a healthy 10.6% that seems seductively hidden behind a great raspberry touch of tart. Even after warming the vanilla didn't come through, then again my sample didn't get above about 55F anyway. Nonetheless a great AG 2nd attempt that toned down the astringency of the roasted bill from last year, midnight wheat was the ticket! Available on draft and possibly bombers?

Jan 13, 2018

Brew Batch #89 Shepherd's IPA

Into the keg after cold crashing on the back porch at around 30F for 24hrs thanks to this cold front. Big Mouth Bubbler served me well on racking into the keg, but the trub loss hurt my heart. YUUUGGGEEE aroma! FG 1.008 to give a solid 7.5% first attempt at a haze monster. I enjoyed brewing and how quickly this fermented (8 days start to finish) I may start a BP series (Bearded Pharmacist;) Thanks to the brew crew at One True Bine Brewing Co. for loaning out the knowledge and equipment. Got it on 30# of CO2 in hopes of quaffing a pint on the morrow. Next up.....Coon Kickin' Chinos IPA?

Jan 5, 2018

Brew Batch #89 Shepherd's IPA (aka Get the Floc Outta Here)

Tried my hand at hazy juice monsters today at OTB Brewing Co. Grain bill is relatively simple with mostly 2-row on board and a Summit bittering. Whirlpool and dry-hopping are all the same with Galaxy, Citra and Mosaic. Using London Ale for that added yeast biotransformation and hoping for the best. OG 1.065+0.00 @65F. If all goes well this one should be fresh in 14 days (or less).

Jan 4, 2018

Brew Batch #88 Sittin' Session IPA

Last time I'll be trying this on the extract level, AG next time fo sho' as I slowly convert everything over suing BeerSmith. "Smells good" according to my wife, I think the extra Cascade in the dry-hop blend helped. Kegged up today and "conditioning" on my back porch as it is a balmy 35F. Figured that should drop it clear in no time. FG 1.010 +0.00@62F to give a balanced 5.5%abv.