Brew Batch #72 Ikigai

The last of my "I wanna try it" batches, Ikigai Barleywine. This one came in at 1.104@72F. The swill is straight sugar coated raisins followed by a 6 hop addition bitterness. Hopefully it'll get on down while it's somewhat still cool at night, then I'll dry-hop on 3 ounces and age till just before AU vs Vandy (gotta a guest coming in, hope he brings those bourbon barrels). I may split this one over some wood, will definitely bottle some. Already have the crowns in hand. After this it's onto a "contract" brew and some nice IPAs for the summer, did I hear someone ask for a session IPA?

Lando Backs Colt 45 (again)

When I read this being a huge Star Wars and Colt 45 fan (yes I did try it in my earlier college years), I had to repost it and put in my 2 cents. This is an awesome marketing idea. I remember the smoothness of these ads when I was PBA (pre-beer age) and thought I'd like to be Billy Dee suave. Of course, we have people claiming race targeting, etc. blah blah blah. But Colt 45 only carries a 5.6%abv, which is what most craft beer drinkers pee and considering The Most Interesting Man was just retired I think Pabst is hitting a home run. No one persecuted Dos Equis for their 9 year run and the last time a checked Lando was targeting Tie Fighters (pew pew). I just wish he had cut his nails in the new commerical.

Our Tastes-- Tropical Disturbance

Another SwampHead beauty, Tropical Disturbance double IPA leapt from the 750ml bottle with a citrus nose that reminded me of a fresh orange being peeled in front of my nose. And the bottle was a good 3 feet away! I've been enamored with this brewery since before they jumped into their new mega space in which they currently reside and am secretly trying to figure out when I can see it. It poured a yellow straw wih high levels of hop particulate. At first I thought it was yeast bed but oh no, it was the Wrath of Lupulin (different than Khan). The slight sweetness from the Crystal malt is perfectly balanced with the Centenial, Columbus and Simcoe blend to give it the perfect sugar laden pine cone in a pint. And don't get me started on the label! Just when I thought I saw 3 panthers another appeared, how many do you count? At 8.7% I'd like to have these one weekend until I smelled like turpentine:)

Short Pours

With current laws changing in AL, I couldn't help but to pass along this great article on fractional pours. This would be right up Arto's alley;)

Brew Batch #71 Imperial Red Ale

Kegged tonight as part of my "I'm scared to try these high abv batches". After losing 1/2 gallon to the trub! FG 1.022+ 0.001@ 73F. It yielded a solid 12.7% CLEAR red hoppy beast! All kegged, will have to Blichmann any bottles. Truly a superb beer that puts 42-A to it's test. However, I'll be resurrecting that one on good old notes this summer as part of the "IPA or Die" series. Next up, the big bang.

Got Growlers?

Yesterday SB211 passed, so growlers to go could happen as soon as June 1st. Recap: 2012 Gourmet Beer Bill gives us 13+% beer (homebrewers pissed that "homebrewing" of which FTH was founded through wasn't more of a concern for FTH), 2013 Homebrew legal (many homebrewers re-embrace FTH), 2014 breaks to be given to 25K breweries only (squashed, I think), 2015 Brewery Jobs Bill the initial growler bill passed in parts, I think, but no growlers, 2016 Growler Bill sent to governor as of yesterday to allow 288oz per person per brewery in the state each day (which is a lot of driving and sipping) passed. We also get some kegs for charity from breweries and some archaic restrictions on where breweries can be built (part of Brewery Modernization Bill from previous years, I think). So to recap, all of a sudden a micro can sustain much better now as of June 1st by selling straight to consumer for off site. Ah yes, one day I'll pour a pint of Possum Tail Pale Ale into some newby's growler and tell them to put it up against Sierra Nevada!

St. Paddy's Day 2016

As I remember last year's post, I also had to work, but am managing to get in a pint of lovely darkness. I also had to remind myself after almost 20 years of celebrating St. Patty's Day that it is short for Patricia not the intended Padraig, so Paddy is the correct. It amazes me that a man can drive snakes out of a country and we still celebrate his traditional death 1600 years later. Then again for me most times a good snake is a dead snake. Yeah, I'll pour up another for that. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh