Brew Batch #186 Reinke's Revenge 2023

As close to Stout Day as I could get it, this annual 18-year favorite is dialed in! I'll be getting a freshly dumped rum barrel from John Emerald distilling to put this one in which means technically I'll have to brew it at least 3 times (more like 4 according to RP @ now defunct OTB😕) but with some leftover of the original to put in a small keg. OG hit 1.120+0.000 @70F, but since I'm blending several batches I can perhaps bump the abv up to it's now grandiose level of 13%. Put it on a monster CBB pitch of Cal Ale yeast so we should bottom out well. Perhaps I'll just update this entry with the next 3 batches numbers. I also need to name the new barrel 🤔

11/28/23 1.120+0.00 @69F. good BE consistency at least!

12/28/23 1.124+0.000 @67F

3/11/24 1.140 +0.001 @64F (gonna be a huge top off to barrel!)

Brew Batch #185 Wallaby Water ( pronounced Wa-duh)

This thing took off and was dunzo in 3 days! FG 1.004-0.001 @58F to give pretty much the same as last time 5.25%. I don't' get any off flavors from this 3rd gen pitch of WLP009 that I've had for over a year now but was also able to procure a fresh pitch through CBB downtown as they have a line on White Labs "vaulted" strains. Galaxy is a nice twist on this one and ever present.

Brew Batch #185 Wallaby Water ( pronounced Wa-duh)

Giving the "accidental" Australian Sparkling another go because it turned out so damn good last time. OG 1.042+0.001 @77F and on a massive pitch of WLP009. This is the 3rd generation of this super hard to get yeast and hopefully wont peter out. After this it's time to go super big and start filling a new rum barrel...

Brew Batch #184 Dangling Fruit

Attempt #2 in the keg last night with FG 1.008+0.000 @69F to give it a hefty 7%. Haven't done it in 5 years, originally batch #91 and the biggest takeaway was that it had a good bit of diacetyl or what I know as hop creep to it last time. Just wanted to see if the recipe was solid and my technique had gotten better. 

Brew Batch #184 Dangliing Fruit

We revisit an oldie that I always wanted to see if I could recreate. Made with Cascade (which at the time wasn't in a lot of hazies), Azacca and El Dorado. I'll be curious to see if it has the same profile. OG 1.060+0.001 @ 79F (about 10 points off) but hopefully fresh LA3 will gnaw it down to a respectable abv. 

2023 50 West/Ocelot Homebrew Competiton

Just for SnG, I sent Tang! The Astronaut Drink to this comp to see if maybe the crowd pleasing, neighborhood crushing orange laden Berliner could snag me a little jewelry in VA. Alas, it could not. However, scores were posted early for this 147 entry comp and communication from the organizers was good. When score sheets are scanned in or received via snail mail, I'll post the reasoning behind the 28. 

(My "sensory trained" Cicerone? and provisional BJCP judge said it was one noted, hard to get orange on the nose)

Brew Batch #183 Fidel's Sweat

What was to be Grandma's Hotbox Fall Edition morphed into a beta batch for a buddy at a local brewery. Kegged at 1.006-0.001 @58F gives it a solid 4.99% abv (even if I was a few points off on OG). But then the twist to see if this would be a good spring/summer batch came the addition of Mojito components. Being the national cocktail of Cuba, it seemed only appropriate to name it for our previously closest (and now deceased) Communist dictator. Enjoy the mint and azucar!!

Brew Batch #182 That Effing Hairpiece in your Bathroom

Well, it took 6 full days and an extra packet of 05 to get it started but then it was done in 2 days?!! FG 1.006-0.001@ 56F so it's fully attenuated to give it 7.88%. I just hope it didn't get infected at all during that extreme lag time. Used the monstrous yeast cake to finish off my latest sour project and it has it fermenting already in less than 3 hours, so it's healthy now. Also revived Lil' Le' Arthur as it had good spirit notes left even after a year since last aging. Took it a full day to stop leaking but swelled nicely and currently has this batch in it. We'll see what happens by January 1st or so. 

Brew Batch #183 Grandma's Hotbox Fall Edition?

The need for a sour right now is a must, it keeps the neighbors off the REALLY good stuff. Tang! The Astronaut Drink is empty with only the remaining samples at 50 West/Ocelot Classic in VA. So, to refill the same keg I simply whipped up the standard Berliner and now have to decide on which way to go with it. I'm leaning towards cranberry pie BUT also have a fruity or lemon notion rolling around in my noggin. Forgot to take OG, but a monster pitch of 001 from CBB almost always takes it to the 4.5% range. Soured on 2 GoodBelly shots and awaiting mega Cal Ale pitch. 

Brew Batch #181 Occasionally

Hit the keg after a good crash to recollect some Wyeast 2124. FG 1.004-0.001 @54F to give it 5.6%. Pretty much in line with last year's batch. I have high hopes for this one in about a month's worth of lagering. Still can't believe that lager yeast is that strong. 

Hot Balls 5K 2023

 

I missed my opportunity at a 114F Heat Index day, but this is the warmest day I thought we'd have left. Celebrated the 3.75 mile journey with Westbrook's Marzebier 2023. A fine nutty libation. Next up Fall Balls?

Brew Batch #182 That Effing Hairpiece in your Bathroom

Inspired by the horrific long brown wig that used to reside on the counter at my old brew buddy's old house, I brewed this Impy brown. On more than one occasion, I imbibed a beer or two there and upon entering the bathroom for relief was horrified by this monstrous long brown wig his daughter used to spread out on the counter. OG 1.064+0.001 @79F. Hoping for about 7% then I'll barrel-age it a bit for some real fun. 

Brew Batch #181 Occasionally

The German Pils summer crusher returns! Albeit towards the end of the summer, but that doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon. OG 1.046+0.000@ 72F. Taking it to 58F to start ferm then I'll dial it down to 53F to let it chew and clean. 

Brew Batch #180 KeeWeePee v1.1

FG 1.002-0.001@51F gives this one a solid 5.5%. It's a fan favorite and seemed to be better received than 1.0 due to the dry-hopping. I had to brew a few of my solid recipes to have on tap before I ventured into some new styles in the next few batches. Plus, it's comp time 😉

Brew Batch #180 KeeWeePee v1.1

Getting back to brewing what works before I venture out into Vienna land. This one came in at OG 1.042+0.001 @ 77F. Good BE and the mega 2278 should drop it on down the quaff-ville! Love this recipe. 

Brew Batch #179 WBI (aka Wheat Beer Incident)

OG 1.036+0.001 @74F puts it under last batch but the yeast pitch is seriously strong enough to get it down in numbers. I under pitched WLP300 and will start ferm at 62-64F to stress it into the flavors I'm wanting. This'll be the 4th time I've tried to control this White Labs pitch into giving me what I want, but there may be no comparison to Wyeast 3068 for these types of beers. 

Brew Batch #179 WBI (aka Wheat Beer Incident)

FG 1.004+0.000 @61F gives it a solid and quaffable 4.3%. It's not coming off as banana-y as I'd like, but again it's the Wyeast factor. I may comp it a couple of times and see what it does, but either way the Beta Club will like it. 

Alabama Brewer's Cup 2023

In a field of 111, both entries sucked hind teat. Shepherd's IPA 18 and Reinke's Revenge 2022 CoVid Edition Gamma variant 34 (yep, the same one that just got 42 in RI). Notes include oxi on Shepherd's and Reinke's would've been better as a pastry stout and apparently didn't match base beer characteristics? Oh well, I post the good and the bad. Always welcome the input and just glad comps are back open in this state. Plus, this one judged and posted early. 

2nd Annual NEBCo

In a field of 141, Shepherd's IPA and Reinke's Revenge 2022 CoVid Edition Gamma Variant fared no better. 23 & 30 respectively with sheets to be mailed. Yep, not a good weekend to be a Beat-12 beer. I'm scratching my head a little but with Shepherd kicked and Reinke's still on tap and on par, I believe, I don't have any references to compare with judges notes. Not giving up on CT though! This was a well communicated and early posted comp. Couldn't have asked for better coordination as Greg Radawich, the head brewer, worked with me on yet another FedEx debacle. 

Brew Batch #178 Shepherd's IPA

Man, the waft on this thing being measured by the hydrometer never disappoints! FG 1.005-0.001 @55 gives it a nice 6.8% and an immeasurable amount of juicy fruits. Ah yes, it'll be ready just in time for the weekend in-law visit to take my big kid away to Sea World. Gonna need it. 

Brew Batch #178 Shepherd's IPA

Getting back to what I call "my roots" even though this isn't a traditional style; however, now has it's own category with BJCP. OG 1.056+0.001@77F on a quickly thrown together batch should yield a decent abv. Hopefully, it'll yield a good 6.5% hazy. Didn't realize it has almost been 3 years since I last brewed it. 

Celebrating the Green!!

So, I needed new running sunglasses and low and behold when I typed that into Google, the Goodr brand came up. I've had Oakleys and even prescription Costas, but for the price point, fit and wear-ability these can't be beat. I first got the Silverback Squat Mobility last summer. They swear no-slip grip but still comfortable and follow through with that. I enjoyed those so much I picked up these limited sunnies with gold polarized lenses and they are fantastic! Grab a pair today, they're TnDC/Beat-12 approved. (forgot to hit publish on this one 4/5/23 😖)

10th Annual Ocean Sate Homebrew Competition

 

There's nothing like the anticipation of a big comp results. 443 entries (13 in wood-aged) where Reinke's Revenge 2022 CoVid edition Gamma variant fought it out with a 41! Which makes me think that the scores for the others must have been stellar to garner 1st and 2nd. Notes included backing off the Amburana contact for a bit, which I figured myself. TaD eked out a 27 on low phenolics, banana and clove which I figured probably happened after over pitching healthy yeast. Entered Quit That Putin! in pale ale and both judges said it was mis-classified and should've been a Belgian pale ale. All I can say is that the smallest state put on a well-run huge comp for only it's 10th year and as hard as it was to medal in, I'm not entering again!

Brew Batch #177 KeeWeePee 3.0

So, kegged today at FG 1.002+0.000@ 66F for a pint quaffing 5.5% but the first thing I noticed was an abundance of wet grass to the level of weed!? Rakau and Waimea make up the final boil and whirlpool but both should lend all fruit or citrus. And there are plenty of bread notes. I just wonder if the truly high alpha of these 2 (10.5% & 17.5%) should be left for PAs and IPAs only. We'll see how it lagers out. 

Brew Batch #177 KeeWeePee v3.0

Comps are reopening and so is Beat-12 Brewing Co! Version 1.0 of this beer was a contender for medals on the reg. BUT, I also wanted to try some different NZ blends. So, Kohatu, Waimea, Rakau and of course Motueka all play roles in this one. OG 1.044+0.000@ 61F with a full quart of Czech 2278 sitting at the bottom. 

Brew Batch #176 Taking A Dunkels

Ah yeah! FG 1.006+0.001@ 53F with a little Mother Nature cold crash to give us 4.6% in the keg. BE was ok on this one but what I was really going after is a good replicate of the original that had extract addition. It's on gas and we'll see how well the clove/banana balance is soon enough. Plan to use this monster WLP300 pitch for my first weizenbock. 

Brew Batch #176 Taking A Dunkels

And as the burners begin to warm back up after a slow brewing year (work related), we knock this batch out again for 2 reasons. Last time, we sought to make a wheat beer but the LME was darker than expected hence the Dunkel labeling. However, that same beer medaled and there are 2 things I'm a whore over right now, homebrewing medals from each contiguous state and Untappd badges. So, I am trying to replicate that medal winner in its all-grain form. OG was low 1.040+0.000 @70F so I'm unhappy with that on a 2 hour mash. But we'll see what the yeast does. I'll also be harvesting this bed for my first weizenbock attempt. Stay tuned. 

Brew Batch #175 Reinke's Revenge 2022 CoVid Edition (cont'd) Gamma variant

Man, did that CBB yeast chew it up! FG 1.030-0.001 @54 makes this batch of Reinke's toe the line at 12.2%. Kegged on a 2.5" spiral of Brazlian Amburana today for at least 10 days, then after apple pie additions we should have a great variant that will overcome droves just like the original virus did.