Brew Batch #117 Additon by Subtraction

What was a carefully laid plan for the Pill Roller v2.1 perfection became a missed 10min boil addition then eventually a 5 day dry-hop of aforementioned missed Saaz boil. But with a monster lager yeast pitch (Wyeast 2278) fermentation was spent in 5 days, with a 3 day free rise to 68F and a final dry hop to be completely done by today with FG 1.0004-0.001@51F to yield a superb 4.8% pale straw Saaz nosey bevvy. Into the keg and let it sit just a bit. Then which comp shall this on achieve bling in?

2019 Romancing the Beer

In my mediocre attempt to perhaps medal in every contiguous state, I entered Romancing the Beer in Camarillo, CA. My farthest western comp yielded good scores but no jewelry. Reinke's Revenge 2018 37, Aotearoa 29.5 and Southie v2.0 28 out of 335 entries. All I can say is that the "stout" table with 27 entries must have had some incredible scores and after some "missing" entries initially I feel lucky to have gotten the scores I got. Thanks to Courtney for tracking them down. Like I've said the best comps have the best communication, medal or not! 

2019 War of the Worts

At 652 entries this is the largest comp I've entered and received nothing except good feedback and miniBos for Aotearoa at 29. Southie v2.0 reached 31 and Reinke's Revenge 18' held the midground at 25. Thanks to the Keystone Hops for organizing this monstrosity and hopefully I'll do better next year. Comp #2 for the weekend down! 

2019 Extravaganza!

288 entries and hosted by the Bluff City Brewers & Connoisseurs yielded some bling for Rasta Reinke's (mis-categorized as 33A) with a silver medal and scoring 33.5. This is the comp that RP and I tried to Formation Brewing Co "carpet bomb" it. I had 5 entries and I think he ultimately had 6 entered (snagging a bronze and 2 HMs). Aotearoa garnered 35.6 with the rest of them including Reinke's 18' falling below 25, yeesh. The first comp of a multi-comp weekend!

Brew Batch #117 Addition by Subtraction

Into the fray to perfect Pill Roller led to a Saaz omission at 10 minutes in the boil. Numbers were good at 1.041- 0.001@56F. But I guess I’ll eat those 5 IBUs and just dry-hop it for a week? I’ll try my hand at Pill Roller v2.1 again this summer hopefully have it all together.

Great Northern Brew Ha Ha

Completed today and out of 4 entries only Rasta Reinke's walked away with any adoration in the form of making the miniBOS for the wood-aged category (33B). 246 entries, 36.5 for Rasta, 31 Lip Smackers, 30.5 Reinke's Revenge 2018 (Reserve) and a lowly 24 for Southie v2.0 (my accidental Dubbel). Maybe next comp.

Brew Batch #114 Mab's Milkshake

Kegged at a perfect 1.012+0.00@60F to yield a 6.9% "ring around" Uranus. Blended with 2oz of vanilla paste at kegging to hopefully give it that last little nuance of hoppy vanilla milkshake. Available on draft and in longnecks.

Brew Batch #115 Rum Barrel Project

First runnings today on 2 houses to yield OG 1.110+0.000@70F. Based loosely on Reinke’s Revenge 2018 minus lactose this was 2/3 of what is needed to fill a barrel obtained from Corsair distillery in Nashville. This particular barrel held bourbon for a year then rum for 2. Freshly dumped just a couple of months ago it promises to age well for a couple of nice heavy brews..... until it funks. And even then it'll be fun.

Brew Batch #116 Gettin' Lei'd

I dabbled with the  gyled second runnings of the current RBP (Rum Barrel Project see Batch #115) today just to see what may come of it in part because after brewing and having 50 PSI, I see where great wort can simply be poured out. Bittered on Magnum α-13.5% for 30 minutes, a little lactose at 15 minutes anbd an ounce of experimental hops X09326 at 10 minutes. Classified by Hopsteiner as havingt 3.9-7 alpha and a berry, tropical, citrus character. My mind is already racing to see how this will pair with some coconut, banana and Kona coffee. OG 1.062+0.00@70F. Looks to be a healthy 7% on this bit of Safale 05.