This IPA was one of those ones that are born out of the limited inventory that a home brewer sometimes has: limited space means limited grain storing capacity, so before you know it you have no base grains for ale, only those grains you got to make a lager "one day". With this realization, I took the thin lager grains, gave them some crystal malt for roastiness and added lots … [Read more...]
Black Ale BIAB – Almost there!
I have a thing about Black Ales - no idea why, I just love how the brain registers a roasted, burnt, heavy beer aroma and then you taste a light, refreshing, hoppy beer. My original Black Ale was based on an LME (Liquid Malt Extract) and mainly British hops (and yeast). Since moving to BIAB, I've been trying to recreate the finish I got from the LME without success, getting one … [Read more...]
Apricot Pale Ale Brewing Day
There is something that I like in adding some kind of a fruity finish to a beer, but I have found that most companies tend to make them too sweet, too fruity and with not enough beer taste. Picking up from my Cranberry Ale (which was a great success on Thanksgiving), I decided to try another go on the same concept - Apricot Pale Ale. I had heard about Apricot Pale Ale … [Read more...]
Black Ale BIAB Brewing day
It has been a while since I tried brewing my black ale using the BIAB method due to the constant failure I have been experiencing: first it was totally undrinkable and went down the drain, and the second time I ended up with a mild. I took the plunge and tried again and I think I'm finally making some progress: a good porter that disguises itself as a black ale - not the best, … [Read more...]
Cranberry Ale Brewing Day – Getting ready for Thanksgiving
We do Thanksgiving every year - it is one of those things my wife insists is part of our life. Despite the fact she hasn't lived in the USA for nearly 10 years now and I never did (only visited), we mark Thanksgiving every year on the last Saturday of November (no days off for a Thursday...). I have no doubt that we will continue having Thanksgiving in our house in the coming … [Read more...]