RyePA, Stout updates

Hey Friends,

Last night, we dipped into Jeff's homebrew reserves to try the ESB, witbier, and BowThai ales of yore. Also, after sampling a little English mild and putting the remains of the keg into a growler, I proudly tapped the JuniorSenior RyePA, the last Cutts homebrew to be drunk this summer. It is delicious. The hop character is bright and citrusy, and there is a lot of depth to the flavor. If I were to do it again, I would do it without a broken air-conditioner and actually get the fermentation temps down a little lower to mellow out the hoppiness (tehe) a little bit and really bring out the flavor of the malts I used. I used Wyeast American Ale II, which in my opinion didn't do the rye malt enough justice at my forced higher fermentation temps. The beer is still great though, and a perfect close to the summer.

The really exciting thing about my observations on my current brews is that with just one more try, I can turn great beers into revelatory brilliant ones. That, my friends, will be what we see in the coming year as I brew more and more and start to repeat (and slightly tweak to perfection) former recipes. Can't wait.

Stout's going in the keg today to be saved for wintertime. I am really excited to have my first real taste of it today and perhaps even more excited to forget about it for a few months! Haha it should be the perfect welcome home in December.

It's been a great spring and summer of brewing in Massachusetts, and I can't wait to continue my art down in Tennessee.

Prost,
Der Braumeister

They love it!

Just got my scoresheets back from Sam Adams for my Longshot entry today! Although I did not advance to the semi-finals or finals, the judges at Sam Adams scored my BowThai Ale in the "Excellent" category, just a small step below "World Class" and even above "Very Good." The high scoring points on this beer were the flavor, which scored an 18/20; and mouthfeel, which scored a 5/5. In the "Overall Impression" category, I was given a 9/10 by one judge and an 8/10 by the other, which is truly awesome. Some feedback I got was that is was a "very balanced beer" with "just enough warmth from the cayenne" and "good hop flavor that balances out the Thai ingredients, which work surprisingly well with the beer." Needless to say, I am super happy with this even though I didn't advance. I am also super happy that I get to actually drink the three bottles they made me save for them! The feedback was great and I now have a full year to formulate next year's perfect recipe. I'm still in disbelief that this was only my fourth batch of beer ever! This gives me so much inspiration to keep brewing and expand on the awesomeness!

Cheers,

The Happy Brewmaster

PS the Hot Chocolate Cream Stout is still in secondary, but will go in the keg in a few days and be jealously guarded until it's time to try it out in the wintertime :)

Today feels good

All it took was a few little hose clamps! I just tapped the English mild on my newly repaired tap system, and it tastes great. Nutty, toasty, a little sweetness, a little hop bitterness, and all together smooth as hell. I encourage any readers in the greater Boston area to come over and grab a pint, as I would really like to be able to try the RyePA before I go back to school in two and a half weeks!

-Your favorite beer knurd