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.