Sweet Stickerage

Got my order in from www.stickorama.com and it is sweet. Going to put these bad boys on the Rubbermaid Endurance cooler, which by the way works very well. Took it to the beach, filled it up and slightly drianed it once only to top it off with new ice and it still had ice in it 5 days later while in my garage and it gets to above 110F in there during the day. Here are just a few I picked up: (to follow)

Brew Batch #5

IRA hit the lautertun tonight. Haven't done Irish Red Ale in a long time and managed to muck it up every way I knew how by trying to do too many things at once. Even had a boil over before I added the liquid malt extract. Regardless though the process was smooth and the ice bath has definitely proven itself as a worthy brewing technique. It dropped the wort from 185F to 91F in only 40 minutes. OG 1.032+0.002 @77F. This is a lower number than I expected but taste is what I am after.

Brew Batch #4

Well Dunkelweizen hit the bottles tonight and we got a nice batch of 48 12oz brown longnecks with red caps and 3 "mutty" bottles. Looks and smells like it is going to be a good batch especially since this is the batch that I had to recover the rubber grommet from the bottom of. Should be ready to try in about 2 weeks. I let the batch really ferment well and am going to let it condition for at least 2 weeks before I try it just so I give it enough time to really get nice (or not). FG 1.007+0.001 @74F to give it 5.6%alc. cont. Going to try to come up with a label that incorporates "DunkelVee" in it, if it turns out okay.

Brew Batch #3

The Nut Brown Ale went to bottle tonight and made 48 12oz green long-neck with green cap maximum. I also got a "mutty" 6 pack of various bottles for gifts to friends. This batch racked off nicely and bottled even better. I would guess that 80% or more of these bottles will be poured to perfection without ANY sediment!! FG 1.004+0.002 @76F giving it 4.4 alc. cont.

Brew Batch #4

Started a little "Dunkel Vee" tonight. This batch was smooth sailing all the way through. The smack pack rose nicely, the brewing process went well and the ice bath dropped it to 90F in 30 minutes. So it was a bit of a shock when I pushed the rubber grommet through the lid. Thanks to Merry and some ingenuity, we replaced the lid with the one from #3 (which is going to be bottled this week and is done fermenting) and just left the grommet in the wort because we didn't have anything long enough to get it out, plus I had already pitched. However, it is bubbling away in the brew room so it must be okay for now.
Dunkelweizen OG 1.046+0.001@66F.

Our Tastes-- Miller Lite

Not the classiest of beers but definitely one of my summer favorites. However, now that they are owned by South African Brewing Co. I am not sure how to take it. I may try a Budweiser switch, but it makes me gassy, like the fermenting wort;)On a brighter note you are able to crush your cans and get $13 for 50lbs at Al Recycling Center on the N. Blvd

Our Tastes-- Beck's Oktoberfest

Now this has been quite a treat! A case of these is only $15 at Dirk's Filet and Vine, thanks Ted. At this rate I may stock up and make this my Augustfest, Septemberfest, etc. for some time to come. It has a great deep amber color with a heavy head. But then again even if it were a mediocre import, I would still pay $15 a case just for the bottles, which by the way will house some lovely NBA!! Pick up a case and share at your next TnDC.