tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109349552024-03-06T23:58:32.912-08:00Grains & Brainssee-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-84740222293218355772008-11-09T13:42:00.003-08:002008-11-09T13:42:40.747-08:00Santa cruz organic beer<a href="http://media.shozu.com/cache/portal/media/557f3d1/16777221"><img src="http://media.shozu.com/cache/portal/media/557f3d1/16777221_blog" /></a><br/><p align="right" ><a href="http://www.shozu.com/portal/?utm_source=upload&utm_medium=graphic&utm_campaign=upload_graphic/" target="_blank" ><img src="http://www.shozu.com/resources/messages/logo_blog.gif" alt="Posted by ShoZu" border="0" /></a></p>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-62261264262895166252008-11-09T13:42:00.001-08:002008-11-09T13:42:12.094-08:00Trains & Grains<a href="http://media.shozu.com/cache/portal/media/557f3d1/16777226"><img src="http://media.shozu.com/cache/portal/media/557f3d1/16777226_blog" /></a><br/>Today I'm amtrakin it to sacramenfroh to see friends and taste beers. In the meantime I'm trying to figure out how to blog from my iPlod. <p align="right" ><a href="http://www.shozu.com/portal/?utm_source=upload&utm_medium=graphic&utm_campaign=upload_graphic/" target="_blank" ><img src="http://www.shozu.com/resources/messages/logo_blog.gif" alt="Posted by ShoZu" border="0" /></a></p>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-29367661585441380872008-07-15T23:07:00.000-07:002008-07-15T23:21:24.483-07:00High Hops<span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">I cannot believe how big my hops are. There are little flower bulbs all over, It's looking like I'm going to have a huge harvest if all of those little blossoms turn to cones. </span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI1sk7xeavnbUKVaQ7hA108Ibq8tuQeuu3j4KfYPZFgy-ylz8-rH6-6Lrj6bqdNOrWYAUaEEigKe0FinF3krXfcTeLCkQfUEVXbDbKJ3dTifx7zbUyvNfqD4IsaG-DFKYIxQ/s1600-h/IMG_0715.JPG">A Tower of Tangle<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI1sk7xeavnbUKVaQ7hA108Ibq8tuQeuu3j4KfYPZFgy-ylz8-rH6-6Lrj6bqdNOrWYAUaEEigKe0FinF3krXfcTeLCkQfUEVXbDbKJ3dTifx7zbUyvNfqD4IsaG-DFKYIxQ/s400/IMG_0715.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223491571018552642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l4vZy5iU0rCGKbb1CQTK7HMo-PIw1mf8lf_8UJ6zG2PG-bg0EmnoQS1v2tj4GlfGfgI6N5pSwbqc0zZrCr_YRwM-TxLwW02KTl2Gz2hyphenhyphenb1IXuhcFcYuya6DO_Waemckhdd8/s1600-h/IMG_0716.JPG">We're gonna need a bigger boat<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l4vZy5iU0rCGKbb1CQTK7HMo-PIw1mf8lf_8UJ6zG2PG-bg0EmnoQS1v2tj4GlfGfgI6N5pSwbqc0zZrCr_YRwM-TxLwW02KTl2Gz2hyphenhyphenb1IXuhcFcYuya6DO_Waemckhdd8/s400/IMG_0716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223491427197975682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO60Bchbt6FeOIW-qMiOPJ-m-vJI2YUXnTjWCQ7xixlgElaMptnUXChk5O7toz2YD7W3jySvOvDN_q7BT03j5lcrXWsoX56DDCccAIJK5tqupMGHYCPbClxS3iGQbH00ffSK0/s1600-h/IMG_0718.JPG">Happy little Hoppers<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO60Bchbt6FeOIW-qMiOPJ-m-vJI2YUXnTjWCQ7xixlgElaMptnUXChk5O7toz2YD7W3jySvOvDN_q7BT03j5lcrXWsoX56DDCccAIJK5tqupMGHYCPbClxS3iGQbH00ffSK0/s400/IMG_0718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223491275856829042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">Now, what will I do with all those little beauties? I'm thinking that it would be a shame to use them with a bunch of malt extract. What are the chances of getting my all-grain up in action by the time I get back from Japan in September?</span><br /></span>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-79037349813581462552008-05-27T15:18:00.000-07:002008-05-28T13:15:34.827-07:00Half DomeLast Monday nine of us hiked up Half Dome. This is not to be confused with "climbing" Half Dome (thx Evan), as that would be super crazy. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/topherkeyes/HalfDomeHike">Here is a link</a> to the pictures. I got some good ones!<br /><br />When we got back to the base, I drank this:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8j-PN_2T38DwMUkAXIHiy6XD9RB736flmjPldxHb1B5iuAizjza-AUQfX-mUNH_RuxKW9_XPyVd8x0YM0sCEmnanqENRuPRmqQ74MxaGMq0MNuR_z0nr4QtXuLR02zjIBRY/s1600-h/IMG_0663.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8j-PN_2T38DwMUkAXIHiy6XD9RB736flmjPldxHb1B5iuAizjza-AUQfX-mUNH_RuxKW9_XPyVd8x0YM0sCEmnanqENRuPRmqQ74MxaGMq0MNuR_z0nr4QtXuLR02zjIBRY/s400/IMG_0663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205186896570361058" border="0" /></a>This is a beer blog, after all. Anyway, I wanted to mention it because I like the new micro-can trend. It may never catch on, but I am for it.<br /><br />Oh, too bad the beer wasn't great. Pretty hazy for a pils.<br /><br />Late.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-32282654822857617622008-05-17T13:04:00.000-07:002008-05-17T13:30:54.921-07:00All-Grain DemoThis morning I went up the the homebrew supply store for a demonstration on all-grain brewing. I have been a bit in the dark about what sort of rig to invest in, and I was hoping today I could talk to someone who knew a few different approaches to the craft. I got more than I asked for! There were 5 brewers there, all with their own rigs. The variety of approaches showed me that anything will work, just see what works for me. Oh, and remember to have fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SKCLlJnLLwUbH23S_4WwI7C847RrRgt-VK2Yi7KtypwNVHtK99MFtpkq22TnALQbbZbx5cGiDLpNIoyJ60L0VdQpEe3FyDkXosA8iHoZm7f94GimDDTOkJIA3i1SI1YZfKw/s1600-h/IMG_0601.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SKCLlJnLLwUbH23S_4WwI7C847RrRgt-VK2Yi7KtypwNVHtK99MFtpkq22TnALQbbZbx5cGiDLpNIoyJ60L0VdQpEe3FyDkXosA8iHoZm7f94GimDDTOkJIA3i1SI1YZfKw/s400/IMG_0601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201443526254132290" border="0" /></a>Above is the in-house system. Professional, sturdy, straight-forward. Probably more than I want to take on right away. Not portable or storage-friendly, though probably makes awesome beer. This rig was surpassed by one of the other brewers, who won a super custom rig in a raffle. There is a picture below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilmjh0-V29rNICGTNngKe7SFNNGs3dDR-jdr6dUrs9DK-R3HNxYJWxNlGGCC-6Is7R7VYF2acx6I51pURF86fXEMIxNMzYtIWuwvtPDEkIvWe8LfsbJtlWL3Thvoh_PrcxgU/s1600-h/IMG_0608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilmjh0-V29rNICGTNngKe7SFNNGs3dDR-jdr6dUrs9DK-R3HNxYJWxNlGGCC-6Is7R7VYF2acx6I51pURF86fXEMIxNMzYtIWuwvtPDEkIvWe8LfsbJtlWL3Thvoh_PrcxgU/s400/IMG_0608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201444333707983954" border="0" /></a>This thing was a rolls royce. I'm more interested in getting something to make great beer in a smaller space; I don't know how long my housemate will put up with me. Here are the other rigs:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJo5jgYXrMc_B6uIuqPO2500NjyxZ8TAhnRhQYmJY3DafdDBrDV8n52hiTWDBN1WEa-eALkEWCOYx0XD4fCUwxi9KTTpiXctKXorIRofUgGakSShBn5ikCOHJ0anLfBhIWg0/s1600-h/IMG_0610.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJo5jgYXrMc_B6uIuqPO2500NjyxZ8TAhnRhQYmJY3DafdDBrDV8n52hiTWDBN1WEa-eALkEWCOYx0XD4fCUwxi9KTTpiXctKXorIRofUgGakSShBn5ikCOHJ0anLfBhIWg0/s400/IMG_0610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201445209881312354" border="0" /></a>Above is a great table-top rig that would work anywhere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmxww855zeut-8RMShNcMv1MOFkw8XTvkQ_Pga4s8Uc3WbEo6TJO_SasUuit4h2gKyQPm5JIgaat_v5LzOnD5uOZl2KtgV-k8UL22GAJ-21TN0piMWWVU-2KA0227Gf_DViI/s1600-h/IMG_0611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmxww855zeut-8RMShNcMv1MOFkw8XTvkQ_Pga4s8Uc3WbEo6TJO_SasUuit4h2gKyQPm5JIgaat_v5LzOnD5uOZl2KtgV-k8UL22GAJ-21TN0piMWWVU-2KA0227Gf_DViI/s400/IMG_0611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201445411744775282" border="0" /></a>This one with the blue cooler interested me most, mostly due to the awesome pump that he was using. I didn't get a photo of it, but he simply ran everything through, including the wort. I think his system had the most thought of cost-efficiency and compact design. He didn't have a false bottom either, it looked like a braided hose. Something to look into.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1ZBUbfPoPyH8kgnYU0D25G8tbfrMWuegt0vDPS515RFmRl8y0lBtGbd0CqBrGM1HR6t71BtrN3eNs9H-4WHr0YCkRCTYLp7BD61yvbtkoDM0hIldbgmLng-Yr7e0fyLv4YE/s1600-h/IMG_0609.JPG">Easy as one two three</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1ZBUbfPoPyH8kgnYU0D25G8tbfrMWuegt0vDPS515RFmRl8y0lBtGbd0CqBrGM1HR6t71BtrN3eNs9H-4WHr0YCkRCTYLp7BD61yvbtkoDM0hIldbgmLng-Yr7e0fyLv4YE/s1600-h/IMG_0609.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1ZBUbfPoPyH8kgnYU0D25G8tbfrMWuegt0vDPS515RFmRl8y0lBtGbd0CqBrGM1HR6t71BtrN3eNs9H-4WHr0YCkRCTYLp7BD61yvbtkoDM0hIldbgmLng-Yr7e0fyLv4YE/s400/IMG_0609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201440657215978546" border="0" /></a>This setup was simply 2 coleman coolers and a keg kettle. The brewer of this was actually struggling the most, he had forgotten some of his materials that would have made his life easier.<br /><br />The brew club these guys belong to looks like a great time. If I can get up and running I would certainly consider bringing my beer to the party.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-22114346159223935922008-05-12T15:01:00.000-07:002008-05-12T15:13:50.127-07:00Hop Trellis is UP!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4XXi6oFjKmJtGtPAREVg0S1RO4Umzf-6bmFXW8ZcLhUJYERdsZC5RCmhWUkzJ-NySkCgissBuzaslz9c0BsUg-ewMZG8FTSc53DpRLZU7npzhZwNEoEYqA7yOGEaqPREq00/s1600-h/IMG_0589.JPG">This is so cool.</a><br />So, I am now a hop farmer. 11 out of 12 plants are above ground, ready to climb, baby, climb!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4XXi6oFjKmJtGtPAREVg0S1RO4Umzf-6bmFXW8ZcLhUJYERdsZC5RCmhWUkzJ-NySkCgissBuzaslz9c0BsUg-ewMZG8FTSc53DpRLZU7npzhZwNEoEYqA7yOGEaqPREq00/s1600-h/IMG_0589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4XXi6oFjKmJtGtPAREVg0S1RO4Umzf-6bmFXW8ZcLhUJYERdsZC5RCmhWUkzJ-NySkCgissBuzaslz9c0BsUg-ewMZG8FTSc53DpRLZU7npzhZwNEoEYqA7yOGEaqPREq00/s400/IMG_0589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199615266050407410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVTbltQBjykMTauTTrOachwH8iJfGqsHptVPwJAGZABxX_fuZohsNGroGy_TmsrazufA6ahwQRyXhvgz57aVmEQvLnv7F__-MeMANwE7TRLgFTbuWXkNUJfE9hq-rLBqPl5Y/s1600-h/IMG_0591.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVTbltQBjykMTauTTrOachwH8iJfGqsHptVPwJAGZABxX_fuZohsNGroGy_TmsrazufA6ahwQRyXhvgz57aVmEQvLnv7F__-MeMANwE7TRLgFTbuWXkNUJfE9hq-rLBqPl5Y/s400/IMG_0591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199615987604913186" border="0" />OK, so truth be told</a><br />I had next to nothing to do with constructing this thing of beauty. Sure, I planted the suckers, but the trellis was 100% my roommate. Dude put this up in one day. Thanks, Alex!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwqxFvqydv4cBqIhf1-SBLwN6Iu5tZJpjYe33zh_wfFPl4uYyP40ZCAd3Nj7QNdJakcUegknLKiw4bSL4MYFhUGoBkAUaTqdnu9rkhJ2grtFliYbfegcB_DmP18F9cPzu_DE/s1600-h/IMG_0592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwqxFvqydv4cBqIhf1-SBLwN6Iu5tZJpjYe33zh_wfFPl4uYyP40ZCAd3Nj7QNdJakcUegknLKiw4bSL4MYFhUGoBkAUaTqdnu9rkhJ2grtFliYbfegcB_DmP18F9cPzu_DE/s400/IMG_0592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199615768561581074" border="0" /></a>He anchored the 8' 4x4 beams on cement blocks and buried them just under the surface of the soil. With the bottom board steadying the two from underneath, the adjustable eyehooks and wires at top really give the thing really sturdy construction. It's ready to support some bushy plants.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELf9-NeLxDoMjCPmJu7e0Cl1yYvZI5R6qa_0_s6HcK8ffi_6rCqJ7sfQwNu-gLqXX-v2IhL6JIqOtYlqeWVRLW8wfg4dPpaC-Mjww2aFmx9KmDB-foP-XrG7BCaoaR_xWyrk/s1600-h/IMG_0593.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELf9-NeLxDoMjCPmJu7e0Cl1yYvZI5R6qa_0_s6HcK8ffi_6rCqJ7sfQwNu-gLqXX-v2IhL6JIqOtYlqeWVRLW8wfg4dPpaC-Mjww2aFmx9KmDB-foP-XrG7BCaoaR_xWyrk/s400/IMG_0593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199615442144066562" border="0" /></a>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-38740656254894583792008-04-29T17:02:00.000-07:002008-04-29T17:19:11.219-07:00Angelsblood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx6StCv_XJoBS0wLAViFdNmlXTq3wNipNlqcRBu4Ft-j79PVC0jQjIUn-T-tJfLFCLEA-j1V5pk2GzuqoCeVbrITrkx0PJTJ5m7Lp4u7wDdc-GrKc0gNAlONcLF8vKUWOCns/s1600-h/IMG_0551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx6StCv_XJoBS0wLAViFdNmlXTq3wNipNlqcRBu4Ft-j79PVC0jQjIUn-T-tJfLFCLEA-j1V5pk2GzuqoCeVbrITrkx0PJTJ5m7Lp4u7wDdc-GrKc0gNAlONcLF8vKUWOCns/s400/IMG_0551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194824177206724946" border="0" /></a><br />This brew is based on last year's Angelsweat Wheat. It is a simple extract recipe that I had great success with during the time of Bay to Breakers last year. This time around, I decided to take something I liked a lot and take the chance of ruining it by adding fruit! Specifically blood oranges from Italy I picked up yesterday from Monterey Market in Bezerkeley. Go there if you haven't; it's an amazing place. I know, the one in the picture isn't all that blood-red, but trust me, it was super sweet and delicious.<br /><br />The recipe:<br /><br />7+ lbs. wheat/malt extract<br />1.25 oz. Hallertau upon boil<br />.5 oz. Saaz with 20 minutes left<br />Spoonful of Irish moss. It will still be hazy, I expect. Which is a good thing.<br />.5 oz. Saaz at the end of boil<br /><br />While this is happening, I heated 1/2 gallon of water to 180 degrees with the zest and meat of 4 nice-sized blood oranges. Let that steep and cool.<br /><br />At yeast-pitching time, I threw all of into my large carboy and let it all talk it over. It looks pretty fun, we'll see how my first fruity beer turns out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL-fqRIusnP5PpbDxyUx7jVJzVGcNNk9UqJnEQIQYr6iHBncapceNPceTbMekZkkYz62DSWJRp7K5XhPCANAGoboFmrYqW05KeSRCPqRuirRbVjCWr-zSn8_1tC2378aKY-E/s1600-h/IMG_0553.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL-fqRIusnP5PpbDxyUx7jVJzVGcNNk9UqJnEQIQYr6iHBncapceNPceTbMekZkkYz62DSWJRp7K5XhPCANAGoboFmrYqW05KeSRCPqRuirRbVjCWr-zSn8_1tC2378aKY-E/s400/IMG_0553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194826105647040866" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't take a hydrometer reading, seemed a little pointless with all that fruit.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-50823972073119096552008-04-29T16:33:00.000-07:002008-04-29T17:02:02.031-07:00Hosed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIBdzxQttTNMc8I9jCa0yoQ000J6F1K2Aioem4apHxvNbgXJb_WETkYTfn9EvGdCskNlFQ7X2tH9Hai2Z3NYVOJGXUJSqj_nL6nLdiuaondSMPOiJNwNmSmDoa2XCNeBscNw/s1600-h/IMG_0552.JPG">I mess to impress.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIBdzxQttTNMc8I9jCa0yoQ000J6F1K2Aioem4apHxvNbgXJb_WETkYTfn9EvGdCskNlFQ7X2tH9Hai2Z3NYVOJGXUJSqj_nL6nLdiuaondSMPOiJNwNmSmDoa2XCNeBscNw/s400/IMG_0552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194819697555835202" border="0" /></a>I got some new hoses to tighten up my wort-chilling process. It actually worked pretty well, and riding on that success I went on to try and poison everyone I know and love. See, I thought filling my carboy with a hose made a lot more sense than holding it under the awkward bathtub faucet. It worked well, but something didn't quite sit right with me. I hadn't sanitized the inside of the hose, and I didn't like the idea of the water touching all that rubber before touching my beer. As the water level in the carboy was happily rising, I took a peek at the label that had come with my new hose. It read:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WARNING</span>: This hose contains chemicals, including lead, known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Do not drink water from this hose. Wash hands after use.</span><br /><br />Heh. So I started over. There are some lessons I am very happy to have learned the easy way instead of the hard way.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-59364872428629102222008-01-29T13:43:00.001-08:002008-01-29T13:43:10.683-08:00Beer-Loving Zombie<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/7iVxzniSKZA' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/7iVxzniSKZA'/></object></p><p>You just gotta love this. This is what I've been talking about, for any of youse that knows.</p></div>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-26779956465570100892007-11-07T13:27:00.000-08:002007-11-26T20:23:25.673-08:00Dumb Ass<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdKpYy3NmoecShWSZ4H8aYoAUFhABJTdQECQSGsMob8rfM1JUNEl1Pcz0Se6EvBPkGfO3aVw2uFobkfNy97r0SWFVeOHLhJREWhx-VfscxIJQKI-lyJ2TNxoHapUT6meCuyI/s1600-h/IMG_0140.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwUTb7Pn-Q9YB9eqofe2GSw_txIa4D28M7D9vj7i4WWM5ZDX5rpt922vdap7jV0ED5qDJ5FDs9s4Cp5lEYOsGg2nRQrvn-cJouAOIxtN2FeKArf3fheeCV1u-XbUQScxSspE/s1600-h/IMG_0140.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhotGeRr7PyIvpi0B7RKZ7-bb28K6wOZdYDnrRLaaP_k_QMNmoqvWp1ObxEoZgiqu8y6wxaWEwVaIhUs1ntibFCiZTQoi_sjjxwS8RKMFBC4Ca5HnmQzLpSfkVdNhQe_q4O8/s1600-h/IMG_0124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137369603825605746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhotGeRr7PyIvpi0B7RKZ7-bb28K6wOZdYDnrRLaaP_k_QMNmoqvWp1ObxEoZgiqu8y6wxaWEwVaIhUs1ntibFCiZTQoi_sjjxwS8RKMFBC4Ca5HnmQzLpSfkVdNhQe_q4O8/s400/IMG_0124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Last time at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Thirbearsty</span> I learned what happens when my ass turns off the grain mill mid mash-in.<br /><br />So there I was, whistling along, dumping bag after bag of malt into the big, loud grain mill. You have to turn the thing on before beginning, that I knew. Why that was the case I really didn't care to understand, but my ass decided to teach me a lesson. I had just dumped an entire bag of pale malt into the mill when I backed up right into the on/off switch. The contraption whirred down to a halt. It took me a moment to realize what I had done, and even once I did I had no panic, for I had no idea what the repercussions may be. I tried pressing the on button of course, but just got the electric hum of a device stuck in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">neutral</span>. At that point I left the grain room and hollered up to Brewer Bear, who was stirring the mash in the brewery room.<br /><br />"Hey B!" I called up, trying to sound casual and confident.<br />"What's up?" he replied.<br />"I, uh.." how to phrase this now? "I accidentally turned off the mill." No mention of asses.<br />"Shit," he replied simply. "Is there malt in it?"<br />"Yeah," I said, as the seriousness finally started to sink in.<br />"Fuck," he answered. Things got more quiet from that point on.<br /><br />The next half hour was spent with B trying to remember how to disassemble the entire grain mill apparatus to release the trapped grains, and me trying to not make jokes to ease the tension in the tiny little room. The mash up top was enjoying a nice, steamy rest while we got to know that machine intimately.<br /><br />Turns out that the mill consists of two big, grooved metal rollers that almost touch. The grain simply falls down between the objects and gets crushed, the severity of which is controlled by how close together you set those rollers. There is also a strong magnet that traps any metallic foreign matter that is along for the ride. You can imagine metal rollers trying to crush metal particulate could be crunchy.<br /><br />And I wouldn't have known any of this if my ass hadn't gotten in the way. What should my ass turn off next week?</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137370810711415970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3v_ggn87ldOIM3sYdkZmoXqO3NYST3yLgr37IWlObMdDHlcjFYQg7Tifj4KHPoaqQvPwpeE5QOx3ob_XL9SdklzwZ1UukCY9bxZOOfSzwiv2ayE20EDxXYmbOQAe8mOiKe8/s400/IMG_0138.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-62678345095773550502007-10-31T13:50:00.000-07:002007-10-31T14:26:09.604-07:00Math<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKMEPUeYtb0Bk9bwr4jXy7hGOGp541OcZX5pt1dVB7YuhBxSBHamVA0RPfT1FWH3ZWJ3mPQtDQRvlPAv_nElYSQgN8oqYLpVdEZVNi4ykkmvzPn2_MtvpfJKrmFI6FnwkqhI/s1600-h/IMG_0015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKMEPUeYtb0Bk9bwr4jXy7hGOGp541OcZX5pt1dVB7YuhBxSBHamVA0RPfT1FWH3ZWJ3mPQtDQRvlPAv_nElYSQgN8oqYLpVdEZVNi4ykkmvzPn2_MtvpfJKrmFI6FnwkqhI/s400/IMG_0015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127611792844093538" border="0" /></a>Portland(Beer + Clouds) - (Hangover + Sore muscles) = Heaven<br />Here's my list of post-marathon beers in Portland, in order of consumption:<br /><br />1. Terminal Gravity IPA<br />2. Widmer Broken Halo IPA<br />3. Bridgeport IPA<br />4. Widmer Droptop (amber?)<br />5. Deschutes Hoptrip<br />6. Rogue 100 meter IPA<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfT2Hx2XsysTXea665d9_0fMsRHOUXRhyphenhyphen5FnhyphenhyphenCAmZIBCJog9aDd0zxkhqymXg72OBz8GuN5KbuAQE-FLZs6FC6dIHwjkHztCe0OHsXakhxDJVIiQzL7YfaLqJnOdj6RFYKxE/s1600-h/IMG_0016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfT2Hx2XsysTXea665d9_0fMsRHOUXRhyphenhyphen5FnhyphenhyphenCAmZIBCJog9aDd0zxkhqymXg72OBz8GuN5KbuAQE-FLZs6FC6dIHwjkHztCe0OHsXakhxDJVIiQzL7YfaLqJnOdj6RFYKxE/s400/IMG_0016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127612093491804274" border="0" /></a><br />7. Roots Hop-opotamus<br />8. Roots Woody's IPA<br />9. Alemeda Klikitat Pale<br />10. Alemeda Old Ale<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcigWw3H1ofq_uBhf0iVGEOzAnzsNR_iTB34HjLP1V2ujkH_kDIriqJfOQqm2r8jOl4jetSBgyFbjLDfKvnNWeIUD2UlhJ4dGUzNymyPo32_pLXWP81RuabsyIH91OxBCdCY/s1600-h/IMG_0017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcigWw3H1ofq_uBhf0iVGEOzAnzsNR_iTB34HjLP1V2ujkH_kDIriqJfOQqm2r8jOl4jetSBgyFbjLDfKvnNWeIUD2UlhJ4dGUzNymyPo32_pLXWP81RuabsyIH91OxBCdCY/s400/IMG_0017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127612827931211906" border="0" /></a><br />11. Amnesia Copacetic IPA<br />12. Amnesia Desolation IPA<br />13. Amnesia Dusty Trail Pale<br />14. Ninkasi IPA<br />15. Bridgeport Fresh Hop IPA (cask)<br />16. Brigdeport IPA (cask)<br />17. Mcmenamins Hammerhead Amber<br />18. New Old Lompoc IPA<br />19. Widmer Oktoberfest<br />20. Widmer Dortmunder<br />21. Widmer Alt<br />22. Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza (Michigan, I know.)<br />23. Hair of the Dog Adam<br />24. Terminal Gravity ESG<br />25. Carderas Dry Hop Red<br />26. Laurelwood Free Range Red (org)<br />27. Wolaver's Porter (org)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyQ8MaPzcV3fk7t0MOpjjCLgIqQPMKPv1kTlsyXiBnGLd7ax5TtUKwLeMpl8rpQqPmeIYpinLuTUcXRpGzS4cXl7KIhVFV5pbDgGBJXh0oy9l3Dv4faxOya8A0XBROIe4MaU/s1600-h/IMG_0030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyQ8MaPzcV3fk7t0MOpjjCLgIqQPMKPv1kTlsyXiBnGLd7ax5TtUKwLeMpl8rpQqPmeIYpinLuTUcXRpGzS4cXl7KIhVFV5pbDgGBJXh0oy9l3Dv4faxOya8A0XBROIe4MaU/s400/IMG_0030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127612832226179218" border="0" /></a><br />28. Laurelwood Mother Lode Golden Ale<br />29. Laurelwood Piston Pale<br />30. Laurelwood Boss IPA<br />31. Laurelwood Tree Hugger Porter<br />32. Laurelwood ESB<br />33. Double Mountain Killer Green<br />34. Bridgeport Freshhop Firkin<br />35. Fishtail Winterfish (Washington)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzjqxblt6qfC6IMo3tSCIg3-xitMrt9GntCk6QtRZHIzAZ5IRVSpoWzCo5eerk5k4I5VrYQgLvVHPbbC5u_TV5IyDI2Tyux7IFeajAFN2MAx9vKxYgPbiZLonxXfppXUb0nU/s1600-h/IMG_0031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzjqxblt6qfC6IMo3tSCIg3-xitMrt9GntCk6QtRZHIzAZ5IRVSpoWzCo5eerk5k4I5VrYQgLvVHPbbC5u_TV5IyDI2Tyux7IFeajAFN2MAx9vKxYgPbiZLonxXfppXUb0nU/s400/IMG_0031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127612836521146530" border="0" /></a>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-33567230510978274552007-09-14T17:41:00.000-07:002007-09-28T01:37:33.314-07:00Lazy FridalePrincess Kobeer, Lex Lager and I have been casually brewing and eating all afternoon. Yose Nabe has been simmering on the Coleman stove in the middle of the living room. The princess stewed up clams, mushrooms, tofu, chicken dumplings, shrimp wontons and omfg good food. Drinking some longhammer, RR salvation, and saison du pont.<br /><br />The brew? An amped up extract recipe based on victory hop devil from Pennsylvania. Used 5 lbs american light extract, plus 4 lbs dried light. Centennial hops for bittering, cascade and EKG for flavor, cascade to finish... the amounts are all approximate since I have no scale to work with.<br /><br />Dry hopped in secondary with EKG 2 oz.<br /><br />OG reading 1.060<br />FG reading 1.023<br />4.85% by volume - NOT BAD!!see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-31916837145234632062007-07-20T12:42:00.000-07:002007-08-11T12:58:29.309-07:00Busywork<div>Yesterday marked day 2 with Brewer Bear. I will try to restructure what I learned. We did not brew this time around. Today was a transfer/cleaning day. These two time-consuming tasks work well in conjunction together. Instead of hurryupandwait, we would bounce back and forth between the cold room and the brewery, as activated tasks ran their course. I think I will describe them as two separate events, for I fear my shortcomings as a writing stylist will muddify particulars of the actual events.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><strong><em>Transfer:</em></strong> The ESB from fermentor to serving tank. First thing to do is to taste the beer. Rough life, I know. Brewer Bear filled one pint from the side spigot on the side of the fermentation tank, after a quick sanitizing spritz from the iodophor bottle. This is a tiny spigot at the bottom of a 15 barrel tank. These tanks, pretty small to moderate in brewery sizes, hold 465 gallons of beer plus another 1/3 volume head space. One barrel is 31 gallons, if that helps. Some ancient measuring system that exists now chiefly to confuse number-retarded people like myself.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Oh the beer. This beer has been nitrogen-conditioned in the tank, after fermentation had ceased. There are different gas lines coming into the room, some with CO2 and some N. Conditioning post fermentation is as simple as capping the tank so no gas exits and plugging in one of those lines to carbonate. Since fermentation produces CO2 beer will carbonate itself if there is some yeast activity still present. Additional CO2 can be added to further carbonate, but is mostly use to create pressure to go from here to there. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Right, the beer! Besides the nice nitro cascade, it held a cool copper color and fresh hop aroma. Mild, semi-sweet with no punchy hops one would expect from American-style ales. This is a decent example of English-style ale as I understand it, though can't speak for its authenticity.<br /><br />Hm, I haven't described any transferring so far. I think I'll devote more time to it in a future post when I understand it a bit better.<br /></div>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-1056854437363305452007-07-16T12:04:00.001-07:002007-07-16T12:32:28.518-07:00Bear BeerWholly Geeznuts, a lot of change in a short amount of time. To review, since November of '06 I have been in talks to open an upscale sportsbar with my bartender colleague Agent Smith. Last month the business partnership gained a lot of momentum and started rolling towards serious commitmentville. We stood on the precipice of a consulting contract in which we would pay $100K to a team to steer us through the process of getting <em>Ferrum</em> up and running over the course of 18-24 months. This prompted me to step aside and do some serious soul-searching and bank account-examining. At the end of my few day reflection, I had my answer: BAIL!<br /><br />So I bailed. Lots of factors led to the decision, but the biggest one was my disenchantment with the concept. As I have previously stated, my goals tend towards the brewery and my ideas. I could no longer justify working for the next 5+ years on someone else's concept that is not a direct line to my goals. Plus, who wants to own a sportsbar anyway? Not this guy.<br /><br />So back to the brewing, yes? YES, dear reader (as if you're out there). Through the classic connection of I-know-him-he-knows-her-she-works-at-a-brewery I was able to get into the furry underbelly of Thirsty Bear Brewing company for a day "working" with the brewer. I was there from 8-3 asking questions and pitching in when allowed. It was great, me and Brewer Bear alone with our rubber boots and water hoses for hours. I had to stop myself from giggling with glee several times throughout the day. It is supposed to be <em>work</em> after all. We brewed the Black Bear Lager, from grains to fermentor. I have to say there were no surprises. I understood the concept, and the work was no more or less glamorous than I expected. This bear's porridge was juuuust right.<br /><br />After working for several hours, Brewer Bear seemed to warm up to my presence considerably. Those bears can be so territorial! Over lunch I ever so slyly let him know of my seriousness of the work, and offered to come back again. It was such a tightrope all day, of how eager to seem, to not be annoying, to be helpful but not in the way, and now I was asking to come back and bug him more! I was nervous, as probably I should have been, but it turned out well, he was open to the idea. So this Thursday, back for more! I've got my foot in the door, I will brew another day.<br /><br />Like George J, I'm a movin' on up.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-86633280722323506242007-06-16T10:40:00.000-07:002007-06-16T10:59:07.784-07:00BiérevolutionThings are definitely happening...Agent Smith and I had a meeting with a powerful consulting team who spelled out for us everything we do not know about starting a restaurant. The same night I met with III about his desires to put forward a restaurant team. Just the day before I met with myself and reminded me how much I wanted a brewery in my future. Will a sportslounge be a path towards that goal? I'm hoping that this book will answer some of my questions:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076721843992979010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnHs69WYvXMjLFEm5DR-hIZRUUVzXLdJYpK7aby59AREzPTqUxJ_8g6bzdGkeC6z9HTlf1vE9hVgHQ1RyLAYB93lCM7dgCWF4SznKzz8r6zTvP_sHCMNN4rdFilimYY1c0ys/s400/Fermenting-revolution.jpg" border="0" /><br />I plan on a full book report as soon as I finish the read. I am currently trying to figure out how to a) make this picture a link to this guys blog, and b) add links to the side of my blog. I'm html htmzzzzz.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-53881648897708956822007-06-11T14:57:00.000-07:002007-06-11T15:02:18.156-07:00Introducing...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u-x8fvnOwVhg_x19ROoMXB7t0TplXsZD3zMgZF95fRzaYnsnHmV6vgbnr9ydeUtG4qemUjmcgK9lnEm6_8DBCQcJg_qTVwscT4A9YCgpKMIy1c8b8oznbR0RvP6IV20EP-M/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074929442471208466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u-x8fvnOwVhg_x19ROoMXB7t0TplXsZD3zMgZF95fRzaYnsnHmV6vgbnr9ydeUtG4qemUjmcgK9lnEm6_8DBCQcJg_qTVwscT4A9YCgpKMIy1c8b8oznbR0RvP6IV20EP-M/s400/scan0001.jpg" border="0" /></a> My first villain beer is complete! I hope Supermom is pleased with her nemesis. Upon tasting on Saturday I am pleased with the evilness of beer containing no alcohol.<br /><br />Thanks to key-z and pee-money too. Zombiebrewz...what do you think?<br /><div></div>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-10820731033080495832007-06-09T13:15:00.000-07:002007-06-09T13:37:53.401-07:00Kontinuing Krypton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ2XPZ1lAi2M0D9Q_ndaxIuqD4FqnGBgKkItnJoCTH6Kqea4m0MH6fdzGI_EmpvUQ5x5etG-3r1cmGIXGIAU8w-0zRXx3VPxguVmmSqUWH8VlGWoutwVRn9ihTYOV3aZxGYM/s1600-h/DSC02113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074166488775714306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ2XPZ1lAi2M0D9Q_ndaxIuqD4FqnGBgKkItnJoCTH6Kqea4m0MH6fdzGI_EmpvUQ5x5etG-3r1cmGIXGIAU8w-0zRXx3VPxguVmmSqUWH8VlGWoutwVRn9ihTYOV3aZxGYM/s320/DSC02113.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I'm finally getting around to my tasting notes on the other three beers brewed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Supermom's</span> pops. Here they are, from too brief to overly wordy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Amber: Over-carbonated. It didn't overflow, but would have if I had poured the entire beer in the glass. Even the bottle itself filled up with head after pouring. After it retracted it stuck around in a sort of weak form. The flavor is delicious and tinny (that's all I wrote?!?). Full-bodied, filled my mouth pleasantly.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Red: Funny how this carbonation thing is so inconsistent. The brews go from perfect (grain beer from previous post) to too much (see above), to a bit thin, as in this red beer. I'd like to know how to control that. I'd guess that the amount of sugar vs specific gravity would have a good deal to do with that. I'd also guess that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jor</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">el</span> put the same amount of priming sugar into each of these batches, as I have always done. That would account for the inconsistent levels in differing brews. The flavor of this beer is wonderful. It has a bit of that stingy, metallic flavor I expect from a red beer. All that plus real body and full finish. Back in college when I was drinking all that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Leiney's</span> Red I would have wanted it to taste like this beer. Too bad it never did.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Brown Ale: Since my critiques tend toward carbonation levels, I'll start there again: perfect this time! Especially at the outset. I poured straight into my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Duvel</span> taster and the head bubbled up, pushing the limits of the lip of the glass, without cascading over. The head slowly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dissipated</span> and carbonation stayed strong till the end. The flavor is dominated by a pleasant nuttiness. A flash of bitterness hits the back of the tongue initially, followed by a bit of malt flavor, and the beer finishes quite bitter. This is a great ale! Not what I expected from a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">brown</span>, I'd have to say. It has none of the sticky sweetness found in others, I am relieved to say.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All in all, Krypton is putting out some of the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">homebrews</span> in my world. An import I hope to see a lot more of.</div><br /><div></div>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-73135583756209941772007-06-02T11:52:00.000-07:002007-06-02T12:22:11.050-07:00Montreal invades CaliforniaLast night Pee-Money and I hiked across Berkeley campus on a misty June 1st to check out Arcade Fire at the Greek Theater. Colin Stetson, high school classmate and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">avaunt</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">guard</span> saxophone king, is now playing with them. He used his whole arsenal of instruments, including French horn and bass clarinet. The show was great! All 10-12 of them are into every tune, singing along whether or not there is a microphone in front of them. Halfway through the set they played a rendition of "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" that I felt was the highlight of the night. At one point towards the end of the night, Winn, during a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">song break</span>, said to the audience, "The fucking fog broke my amp. Thanks a lot, assholes!" He then rambled on about foggy days and sunny days for a bit then exclaimed, "Eh, shut up and play the hits already!" It was a fun moment, then they immediately broke into "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)." The last song of the set was "Rebellion (Lies)," a predictable and appropriate choice. After the song was over, a large portion of the audience kept the sing-a-long chorus going for a couple minutes until they returned to the stage, no easy feat for several thousand non-singers to achieve. The encore was two songs, a heartfelt homage to his Grandfather who is buried in San Francisco followed by a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">raucous</span> rendition of "Wake Up."<br /><br />Oh yeah, beer: we each had two $7 plastic bottles of Anchor Steam. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bargain</span>!!see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-23919862862190570902007-06-01T15:07:00.000-07:002007-06-02T12:31:36.654-07:00Beer Minus Alcohol = Still Fun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_iIvTUJLJFaoPqza40Sh062Pbndk1dbk9_hk2cwXT2ZgoL4bPTB_wXTz0rxt7Gde8DvCfJnIqWhDxAY8-pGc0Ogm69ZETUlsZ4dcOOz2yzG8tsfpYu88X0VDqygCAHIFz8w/s1600-h/DSC02137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071256063940750418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_iIvTUJLJFaoPqza40Sh062Pbndk1dbk9_hk2cwXT2ZgoL4bPTB_wXTz0rxt7Gde8DvCfJnIqWhDxAY8-pGc0Ogm69ZETUlsZ4dcOOz2yzG8tsfpYu88X0VDqygCAHIFz8w/s320/DSC02137.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Today I am subtracting alcohol from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Supermom's</span> IPA, hence making it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Supermom's</span> "Foe" IPA. I am partially making this method up as I go, due to the shortage of detailed instructions online. Apparently not many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">homebrewers</span> are actually interested in brewing beer without alcohol. Funny. I also asked the grumpy old dude at the Oak Barrel beer supply store about brewing non-alcoholic beer, and he told me it was thought of as very difficult to do well. So if I fail miserably I'll at least be in large company.<br /><br />First, I took my fully-fermented but only partially hopped beer and racked it back into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">brewkettle</span>, which brought me to unexpected hurdle #1: my brew kettle is only almost 5 gallons. I'm used to boiling 2 1/2 gallons at a time. I grabbed another pot and switched over towards the end, which ended up being a good idea, because I avoided getting more sludge in my finished beer from the bottom of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">fermenter</span>. I will probably end up dumping that last couple pints of sludgy beer. Sad but better than picking sediment out of your teeth.<br /><br />As the beer heated up towards 180 degrees, it got pretty foamy, threatening to overflow a few times. Stirring only made it worse. My plan was to bring it back to a full boil in order to throw some cascade hops in for aroma, then back the heat back down. Now I'm thinking that a full boil with a full pot will result in a hot and sticky situation. Instead I am going to attempt the hop tea approach. I will steep the hops in boiled water then add the water at the end of this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">unfermentation</span> process.<br /><br />To make I used 1 1/2 oz of cascade pellets wrapped (perhaps too firmly) in cheesecloth, plus a small handful of dried out whole crystal hop flowers. The resulting tea was somewhat aromatic, and tasted slightly bitter. Hope it adds something. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071256514912316514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KbKuGfKevg5Gl4b15XPtnAWkOngnadhYagt4rBcfBbt4fx97_l9Zv4Ful-2zOXz7EBinn6_xMNFOLameRH9OdvI7BGfMiWgilEf0SgS9S0xKOav7prQv3_zrzvnoZH8EIIk/s320/DSC02135.JPG" border="0" /><br />After 40 minutes of 180 degree temperatures on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">stovetop</span>, I took the beer off, added the tea and cooled down the now near beer with my sanitized copper coil. I'm being extra careful with sanitation today. Usually I am a bit more carefree, confident that the alcohol would kill most bacteria that would sneak through. My last hurdle before bottling was that it takes For-effing-EVER for 5 gallons of liquid to cool down to 75 degrees, the acceptable temperature for pitching yeast. Since the re-boil killed off any old yeast, I had to wait to pitch again along with 3/4 cup corn sugar in order for these 20 or so double duece bottles to have any fizzyspritzer to them.<br /><br />Now it is time for the finger crossing. Will the bottles explode? Will the yeast survive? Will there be any hop aroma? Will the flavor be alright? Did the alcohol go away? Will it taste anything like beer at all?!? I'll try not to get my hopes up too high this week.<br /><div></div>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-7410871500039928412007-05-17T17:37:00.000-07:002007-05-17T22:24:27.099-07:00Supermom's Foe IPAI've finally gotten around to my first hero/villain beer...and it's not going to have any alcohol. WTF anyway.<br /><br />A familiar beginning:<br />1 gallon of The Town H2O steeping 10 oz crushed 40L crystal malt for 30 minutes at 150 degrees.<br />This imparts both color and "specialty grain" flavor to the finished beer. Since I am extracting the alcohol and probably losing any subtleties in this batch, this step may be totally meaningless. I feel compelled to do it anyway, thinking that this beer will need all the help it can get if it is going to be at all quaffable.<br /><br />Strain the water into the brew kettle, and sparge the bag of grains with another gallon of 150 degrees H2O.<br /><br />Upon boil, added<br />5 lbs American light extract syrup<br />1 lb light dry extract powder<br />1.5 oz chinook bittering hop<br />boil all this for 45 minutes<br /><br />Add 3/4 oz Kent Goldings<br />3/4 oz Cascade<br />1tsp. Irish Moss<br />boil all this for 15 minutes<br /><br />STOP!! NO AROMA HOPS!!<br /><br />Put the cooling tube in the wort to sanitize. Don't forget to run some clean water through it first. Some water from inside almost always drips into the wort at some time; best if it is not stale water form the last time I brewed.<br /><br />Cool it down, add to the carboy and pitch the yeast<br />1056 American Ale slap pack<br /><br />O.G. 1.033see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-2828642290859693332007-05-10T22:44:00.000-07:002007-05-17T17:37:17.418-07:00Angelsweat v.2I vow to find out if Angelsweat is as swheat as I think it will be:<br /><br />2 1/2 gallons of Oaktown's finest<br />Approximately 7+ lbs wheat extract<br />1.25 oz Hallertaur pellets for 1/2 hour<br />.5 oz saaz for 12 minutes - add teaspoon Irish moss here too!<br />.5 oz saaz for the last couple minutes<br /><br />On Thursday May 17, I transfered the sweat from my new 6 1/2 gallon carboy (yay) to the neck of a 5 gallon with .5 oz saaz hops for that extra fresh kick.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-22173323167448582952007-05-10T17:50:00.000-07:002007-05-10T18:05:19.632-07:00More Offerings from Krypton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3LrA2zvYnjDnu0RFcf140HShqpYVevutu5h-EHf8z2dn6AJB4l8gH9Xxvf66atlPfh2GrSonvHnqQ3QEjR7R2pPc5CFcqUgxRbRUh0WUasges-lZrx12jrez5_2XJzab3RY/s1600-h/DSC02112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3LrA2zvYnjDnu0RFcf140HShqpYVevutu5h-EHf8z2dn6AJB4l8gH9Xxvf66atlPfh2GrSonvHnqQ3QEjR7R2pPc5CFcqUgxRbRUh0WUasges-lZrx12jrez5_2XJzab3RY/s320/DSC02112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063102897769760434" /></a><br />The father of Supermom has done it again.<br /><br />First up: <strong>grain beer</strong>. No other description given.<br />First impression is a great head, not too much but definitely present, with dense small off-white bubbles. The beer is cloudy and pale. The aroma made me think Belgian, but the palate made me doubt that guess. There isn't a strong hop aroma, which makes me think it probably wasn't dry-hopped. I also guess that cascade hops wern't used, since I don't get that recognizable west-coast smell or citrus flavor. There is a great new flavor, however, somewhat bready and slight sweetness with tasty, stinging hops bittering up the finish. The head stays around till the last sip, without any real agitation required. Good job, Jor-el.see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-27204138556658770232007-05-07T10:48:00.000-07:002007-05-07T10:56:49.569-07:00Return of the Odd Sox<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_4ROSLgTr-pmnif5rGTV18NwkvraYaEIOhxB8Flqdf4sKIdRZHQuiiDzVVjZ1WXQODCvXC3VOedSOGgXjcMjE34P5qemidu1UqZBu9_sQ7s_ga2KOYUujqvBJpyCe5tb-Mo/s1600-h/scan0002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_4ROSLgTr-pmnif5rGTV18NwkvraYaEIOhxB8Flqdf4sKIdRZHQuiiDzVVjZ1WXQODCvXC3VOedSOGgXjcMjE34P5qemidu1UqZBu9_sQ7s_ga2KOYUujqvBJpyCe5tb-Mo/s320/scan0002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061878484198049426" /></a><br /><br />Yes, Frank is back.<br />www.frankallisonmusic.com - definitely check out the chicken whisperer videosee-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-61107350360757228622007-05-02T11:49:00.000-07:002007-05-10T13:48:11.728-07:00Exploding Summer Beer.This post started as one thing, will end as another. I set out to brew some Angelsweat for Bay to Breakers. I recorded all the specifics up till time of proposed dry-hop:<br /><br />"That's right. The sweat of an angel, peoples. You know you want it.<br /><br />Contract brewing for Adventure Angels Bay to Breakers after party. I'm pretty sure I just felt an earthquake; God must not like me bottling the sweat of his minions.<br /><br />Added 6 lbs wheat extract and 1 lb light dry extract to 2 1/2 gallons tap water.<br />1 0z Hallertaur pellets upon boil.<br /><br />Pitched yeast: Whitelabs tube of American Hefeweizen WLP320<br />OG: 1.053"<br /><br />Then, I came home after a hot day and evening at work, and WOW! The beer had exploded out the top of the fermenter, like a geyser spraying 2 1/2 gallons of beer all over my kitchen. Back to the drawing board.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn6lByzWfK__rxuxqij8beBXCPscd1_J_oWpazhqtydHmmX9RY-7UXwWjkH7nyjIGI2qqTb-2jx45i8CifctnfvrRVPaCvwA0sGMo4LVL8X64QknyokrKqp6z9_f4LEPgA8k/s1600-h/DSC02110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn6lByzWfK__rxuxqij8beBXCPscd1_J_oWpazhqtydHmmX9RY-7UXwWjkH7nyjIGI2qqTb-2jx45i8CifctnfvrRVPaCvwA0sGMo4LVL8X64QknyokrKqp6z9_f4LEPgA8k/s320/DSC02110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063027413719533218" /></a>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10934955.post-19154316418688055032006-12-22T11:23:00.000-08:002006-12-22T14:11:43.023-08:00Holiday Jerk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLf_d1dMmGDrXZddmN_U3XDu5TVBSk1MBjKQ5Pg2C3i7azkr99J7MOmGpWsWT8iAuoH_T65JKAMhJic0Wq5rbwZshQzMl8u9okbb4CpEgGSvA4RT2NQw2IbEerjfkgANBjkg/s1600-h/DSC01898.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLf_d1dMmGDrXZddmN_U3XDu5TVBSk1MBjKQ5Pg2C3i7azkr99J7MOmGpWsWT8iAuoH_T65JKAMhJic0Wq5rbwZshQzMl8u9okbb4CpEgGSvA4RT2NQw2IbEerjfkgANBjkg/s400/DSC01898.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011477139240149522" /></a><br />For the $$ of ingredients and 4 ace air filters, I have created jerry-rigged jerky. The method:<br /><br />1. Mostly freeze a flank steak. This will make slicing easier. Slice on the grain.<br /><br />2. Marinade for 3-6 hours in a plastic bag.<br /> 2/3 cup soy sauce<br /> 2/3 cup worchestshire sauce<br /> 1 Tbs. Honey<br /> 2 teaspoon black pepper<br /> 2 tsp onion powder<br /> 1 tsp red pepper<br /> 1 tsp liquid smoke<br /><br />3. Pat dry, line into cellulose filters, 16X20 worked well for this fan size<br /> (remove white paper I have learned)<br /><br />4. Attach to fan with bungees, turn on low for 12 hours.<br /><br />5. Enjoy indefinitely!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN9IKupN2OkwX3G-K1fzb39JYAGzQO1oSYkfCfvKaoyxpUa-BkLDx1TGUAd9a0QL8yDH6Wwe8L6HdEvejSwu4UWZkk49OqBxMckmZS0i1dGEe4UXIKermPYVEDOSw9wGQ6Xk/s1600-h/DSC01901.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN9IKupN2OkwX3G-K1fzb39JYAGzQO1oSYkfCfvKaoyxpUa-BkLDx1TGUAd9a0QL8yDH6Wwe8L6HdEvejSwu4UWZkk49OqBxMckmZS0i1dGEe4UXIKermPYVEDOSw9wGQ6Xk/s400/DSC01901.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011477242319364642" /></a>see-T4-runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739546386309918303noreply@blogger.com1