Looking back through my brew logs, June was quite a productive month for my standards, brewing four batches, including my first one-gallon batch, the Craft A Brew brown ale kit. Initial tasting notes are quite nice, close to a Northern English Brown in style. Look for tasting notes soon. At present, my 2014 Summer Solstice … 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
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
Every September, when Fall seasonal beers start rolling out, I get a mean craving for German lager in all forms. Typically, having not planned accordingly, I start an Oktoberfest too late, and end up buying some commercial brews to satisfy myself while awaiting my homebrew. This year, I am planning ahead, making a long list … 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
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
April is always a busy month in graduate school. Fellowship reports, exams, papers, taxes all due. Couple that with regular work (research, lab maintenance etc.), and things get busy quick. I’m keeping my spirits bright, and using brewing as a stress-free creative outlet! In lieu of formal blog posts (due to school, sad face), I’d … Continue reading
Air-lock activity has stopped. Krausen has fallen. Gravity readings are terminal. Brewers everywhere know what this means: time for packaging! The Passion Fruit American Wheat has finished secondary fermentation after a substantial addition of passion fruit juice. Frankly, I am relieved this beer is near process end. The planning and execution of this recipe was … Continue reading
The spring equinox has passed and spring has sprung (at least in central Texas)! The weather has been nice and frost isn’t likely, so I recently put out my spring-season balcony garden. Those who read the Session Oatmeal Stout post may have noticed transplanted bluebonnets and sunflower seedlings next to the beer. My garden is … Continue reading
In this weekly update, I wanted to wish the readers and followers of The Apartment Homebrewer a happy, safe, and hopefully beery St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll be enjoying a full Victorian pint of my Session Oatmeal Stout, eating a full plate of fish and chips, and listening to my favorite Celtic band, Gaelic Storm. (for … Continue reading
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