Brew Batch #97 Electron Cloud

So my buddy at CommonBond helped me out with some hops and I decided to honor him with a clone of hopefully his first "Hop Workshop" brew. Missed my expected by 4 with an OG 1.060+0.001@76F which tells me when the new burner is built and ready those numbers should be spot on OR better. Followed the same Shepherd's grain bill with only a change in whirlpool and dry-hopping. Mandarina Bavaria, Denali and Bravo are the culprits in this one. Happily fermenting away at 66F on some Nottingham yeast (courtesy of an OTB rump save), we'll see how this one ends up in about 10 days.

Hot Summer Brew Off 2018

Sponsored by Mashers of MO, Hot Summer BO 18' posted results today at 5pm and someone will be getting another 🥇! Orange Creamsicle banged out a 46 overall and earned it's 2nd 🥇. The only complaint given was "needs a bit more orange". Uranus eeked out a 28 total, but the real surprise was the 40 from one judge on Jake's Juice entered as an American Lager (1B) totaling out 37 and a 33 for Intn'l Lager (2A). Great notes from 4 judges total to help hone that recipe. This was a capped, quick sell out on entries and well organized event, perhaps the best I've entered to date. Regardless of medals, the communication and smoothness of the contest has made this an annual must for me! Oh, and RP@OTB scored some bling to add to his collection, some gold or bronze something?:)

Brew Batch #96 Hemerodromos

It's taken almost 16 years but I AG'd like Han today for the first time ever. Inspired by the Hemerodromos, "day-long runners" (ultra-marathoners before there was such a thing) of the ancient Greek army, I wanted a low abv, smooth yet slightly tropical hopped beer for my first attempt. After some research the cream ale fit my bill but I diverted from the traditional hops and went with Calypso and Medusa to give it that Mediterranean feel. Missed my OG by 7 with 1.042+0.001@ 72F, so that puts my BE at 62%. Ouch! Thank goodness grain is cheap. But a new 105K burner is en route to help with my boil off volume and I'll rebrew maybe towards the end of summer if it turns out well. 

Our Tastes-- Prairie BOMB!

This year's offering of Bomb! was such a difference from last year for me that I had to revisit it. (That and the fact that this may very well be the end of The Falfi 'leg train). Still an opulent darkness with wonder lust head that emanates a heated coffee and bittered chocolate. But this year the chilies came roaring through. Not like Pirate Bomb!, which is another story, but definitely more sweet heat. At 13% and the fact that I have better access to the Deconstructed series of the beer this year, I've gotten deeper into this initial Junker and really started enjoying these blended stouts. And you still gotta love the smoking catfish as the cap logo!

Brew Batch #95 Cherry Wood Porter

Got this one knocked out today. OG 1.072+0.00.1@ 72F, which is right on par with numbers. Old techniques had this done at 6 weeks, give or take, but with temp control fermentation and better brewing processes it may be done in 4. A little contract brew like JJ's to clear bottle footprint for new brew haus space. Plus my plan is to rack Hemerodromos onto the Wyeast 1212 cake.

Hammerdown Brewcup 2018

Hammerdown sponsored by Braxton Brewing Co went down this past Saturday and whaddaya know, someone scored a gold! To start PBnJT! got gutted at a 19? Obviously not PB fans and one comment stated "alcoholic", at 10.6% I hope so. Reinke's jumped up to a 31 and was lumped with Orange Creamsicle in a group of 19 on the 29 Fruit Beer category. Notes for it included bumping up the malt bill to balance the raspberries or toning down the fruit. That's an easy fix. Then the shocker, Orange Creamsicle, 35.5, mini-BOS equaled GOLD🥇 ! A 37 from one judge, 34 from the other with good feedback on flaws of base Berliner character and pumping up the orange. Favorite comment was "childhood ice cream". RP@OTB snagged some🥈 on Poppin' Collars and Even More Stars, then 🥇 on Brett X Blend .  Next up Hot Summer Brew Off.

Brew Batch #94 Uranus IPA

The latest "fun" batch kegged up this morning. FG 1.010-0.001 @48F to yield a nice 6.69%. Hoping for some good pineapple/pear form the Comet finished by a touch of dank. Learning a lot about hops with these beers and looking forward to next batch already. Actually got a solid 5 gallons on this one from cold crashing the fermenter at an angle! Uranus is waiting, drink it up!