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!