2019 New South Brew Off

I entered this year in support of my brew buddy over at One True Bine because he wasn't able to do so last year. After finding out he would actually be staying here and not moving, he didn't have anything brewed to send. So I reluctantly sent Octohop as 21B (that is now more 22A) and Taking a Dunkels (10B). Well, Octohop scored poorly with 29.5 but out of 150 entries TaD raked in a gold medal with a 37! So I now have gold, silver and bronze from the same comp in TN from TaD, WBI and Corporal Catbox v1.0. My comp entry days are more than complete in The Volunteer State. Wish I could just get any of that bling in Pennsylvania! Thanks to The Clarksville Carboys for a well-run and timely comp, I'm looking forward to the score sheets. And congrats to Andy Howell. I stopped counting his medals at 4, but then again, he did win gold nationally with his Pale Ale with the AHA. 

2019 Hot Balls 10K (in the Fall?)

Turn out was meek this year but at 97F with heat index that's what I would expect. 1:10:48 for a total of 6.6mi on the Pike Road Nature Trail that parallels Meriwether Road all whilst pre-hydrating with Edmund's Something Cold (so much better than the Coors from years past). I realize that technically it's fall but with a streak of 90s on the forecast, it's definitely still hot. This year's sponsors are Junk's Honkytonk Leg Service and a brewery I've visited twice this summer. See ya next year, I hope.

2019 AU Oktoberfest

Came and went with 5 new offerings from Formation Brewing Co., Granny Whitlow's Blackberry Cobbler, War Dank Eagle's Daddy, Elvis Snacks, Come Sail Away and Saban Spit. The most disheartening thing about this year is that the app that was used again was used less than last year and apparently didn't yield accurate counts? All I can tell you is that FBC had 3 beers in the top ten of Homebrewer's Alley. Not sure which ones and even after emailing the coordinators a week ago they can't seem to provide anything. Yep, dunzo with AUfest until vote tallying is replaced by at least hanging chad! 

Brew Batch #128 Elvis Snacks

My final contribution to the Formation Brewing Co for this upcoming weekend's AUfest is kegged with 118mls of chocolate extract at an FG 1.012-0.001@60F to give it a mouth watering 8.8%. The yeast went crazy wild with banana esters but attenuated WAY more than I thought it would. Alcohol tolerance for this strain is in the 10% range but I never thought it would chew it up this much. Tells me my Baltic Porter base needs a little more body if I want to push it impy. We'll see how it's received this weekend.

Brew Batch #131 KeeWeePee

I felt utterly compelled to revisit this recipe after reading it's scoring sheets. For my first attempt at the style it garnered some of the highest scores (other than Orange Creamsicle) right out of the gate even winning 1st in a 400+ comp. Then it got "homered" in Malt Madness XIII by 2 other local PRX5 entries only to get a 36 in the next comp. So IF BJCP's goal in scoring is to be consistent across the board why the notes about detracting green apple (acetaldehyde) if I'm using Nelson Sauvin. I understand the ones about oxidation sweetness which can be caused at the time of bottling and certainly doesn't help if scoring is to be done weeks later (Junk drink'em ASAP) but the 36 in the next comp when my bottling is the same way is perplexing. So, to take care of the acetaldehyde comments since this was pitched lower in yeast count, I just threw it on about 2 quarts of Czech Pils yeast that should have it done in 5 days! OG 1.048+0.000@72F, which means I overshot my BE this time using the overnight mash. So hopefully the mega yeast pitch won't push me right back to 6.5% like last time. I was trying to come down on the abv.

2019 BREWS Lager Only Competition

Put on by Beer Renegades of Everett Washington, this was a chance to let Más Salsa shine! Unfortunately being in a category with 64 other lagers (8 others in my category) proved a little difficult and with a 34.5, Más walked away with nothing but my first attempt in WA state. So Mas winds up it's comp run with a 33.6 and some room for technical tweaks. But in my heart it'll always be a 37. 

Brew Batch #130 Sergeant Poo (aka War Dank Eagle's Daddy)

Into the keg with just a bump up on dank and abv than Corporal Catbox v1.2 (aka War Dank Eagle) at FG 1.012+0.000@62F giving it 7%. This was my first time using Imperial's A23 "Juice" yeast strain and I am happy with it. Smells like a touch of 9th grade armpit. Let's see how it does at AUfest this coming up weekend.

2019 Salt City Brew Club Competition

A well run comp that had results and scores posted at least the same night. Out of 171 my 3 entries did well and snagged my first and only NY state medal. Communication with the comp director was good when I had questions, thanks Steven, and I'm just waiting on scoresheets. Mas Salsa (2A) and End Chapter (11A) both received 35 with Taking A Dunkels (10B) grabbing 36.5 and a silver. 

Brew Batch #130 Sergeant Poo (aka War Dank Eagle's Daddy)

As a back up to Octohop, I conjured up another hazy "leveled-up" reminiscent of Corporal Catbox v1.2 (War Dank Eagle). So Sergeant Poo (aka War Dank Eagle's Daddy?) will be another possible offering at this year's AUfest in Auburn, AL. A hopefully higher abv and dankier version of the lower ranking brew from last year. Who knows, we may make it all the way to Capt. Colostomy? OG 1.064+0.001@79F