While brewing on the 2014 summer solstice, I cracked open last years big brew, the 2013 summer solstice blonde barleywine. SMaSH-y in recipe, the idea was to design a beer to taste the malt and fermentation characteristics from Maris Otter and Wyeast 1098 British Ale when brewed at a high gravity. The resulting brew was … Continue reading
This past Saturday marked the 2014 summer solstice. In celebration of the changing seasons and the beginning of summer, I brewed a Helles Bock. As per tradition, during the summer solstices, I like to brew something pale and strong. Since I am currently brewing German lagers, I thought a Helles Bock would be an appropriate … Continue reading
A few weeks ago, Craft A Brew generously set me one of their one-gallon starter kits [**]. For those unfamiliar, Craft A Brew makes homebrewing starter kits and extract-based recipe kits, ranging from 1-3 gallon batches, providing new homebrewers with all of the equipment and ingredients necessary to start their first batch of homebrew. With several … Continue reading
Last week, I came across a great deal on a sack of malt. Adelbert’s, a local brewery producing a range of traditional and not-so-traditional Belgian ales, recently overstocked on Czech floor-malted pilsner malt, and offered the extra sacks at cost, about 40 bucks, to the homebrewing public. This came as exciting news as I am … Continue reading
In an apartment or kitchen setting, sourcing and moving water throughout the brewing process is not an easy task. Water is key to the brewing process, not only for the beer itself (mash, boil, etc.), but also for chilling and cleaning. Indeed, for my homebrewing setup, I have to source and move 25 gallons of … Continue reading
Two years running, I’ve made a point of brewing on the summer and winter solstices. Beginning in 2012, I started this tradition by brewing on the eve of the Mayan Apocalypse, a strong ale/winter warmer of sorts, to ease the coming abyss. Although the apocalypse doesn’t seem to have come, I’ve continued brewing big beers … Continue reading
After 3 weeks of fermentation and 5 days of dry hopping, the Farmhouse IPA is finished. Inspired by Michael Tonsmeire of the Mad Fermentationist blog, the Hoppy Saison is mostly a traditional saison, but with loads of Saaz, totalling 4 oz in late and dry hop additions. The yeast was saved from the primary fermentation of … Continue reading
One month since brew day, the Falconer’s Flight APA, an American-style pale ale using Falconer’s Flight hop blend, has finished fermentation, kegged, and is tasting nice. This APA came out great, with the late hopping of the Falconer’s Flight really pronounced. A review and recipe below. Cheers and happy brewing! Review Pouring into a tulip … Continue reading
A few weeks ago, I brewed a French saison, a nice choice for the spring/summertime. However, I won’t be tasting it anytime soon. That’s because it’s souring in a barrel. A barrel in my apartment? Thankfully, no. This brew was part of a collaboration between my homebrew club, the Austin Zealots, and Jester King, a … Continue reading
Summer has arrived in Texas, and thankfully the end of academic year craziness is slowing. That means time to brew! The saison I brewed in April finished fermenting and is stored somewhere special. To give a hint: don’t expect tasting notes anytime soon, perhaps next year, although do expect a blog post very soon on … Continue reading
The Apartment Homebrewer 