On Tap (Feb 15th 2010)
Tomorrow I will be starting my new job, exactly one year to the day that I officially parted ways with Fidelity after an almost 9 year career there. This past year has been amazing, I have been a full-time father, got to spend the 1:1 time with the wife we never had before our first child was born (and loved every minute), built a very large blue stone patio, watched our house addition get built, have some great trips, become school treasurer and board member and last but by no means least re-connected with my hobby of old, home brew. Its been a great time, a time of reflection, growing and learning the true value of people and things. So going back to the office will be bitter sweet. I am not saying goodbye, the kids, wife, house, school and beer will all still be there but the relationship will change as I add a work life to the mix. But I have changed to, priorities have been reset this past year and I hope I have grown enough to not let work get in the way of my real life back home, one that has On Tap Updates like this one.
Primary
- Theakston Old Peculier Clone (1 day (p) ) – My first pass at this classic old ale. Realized too late I put in only half the Lyles Golden Syrup I wanted but I think everything will work out. Yeast is still getting going so too early to tell how this one will turn out
Secondary
- Twelfth Night Stout (1 wk (p), 1 day (s) ) – A new extract clone recipe of Rogues Shakespeare Stout from Northern Brewer featuring the PacMan ale yeast strain from Rogue. This one is an ass-kicking 70 IBU stout destined for the keg. The FG was on the low end of the attenuation scale but still within range.
Bottle/Keg Conditioning
- Fullers London Pride clone (1 wk (p), 1 wk (s), 3 days (b) ) – came out crystal clear from the primary with the FG exactly on target. Looking forward to seeing how this brew finishes off. Will give it 4 weeks in the bottle before sampling
- Spitfire Premium Ale clone (1 wk (p), 2wks (s), 1 wk 3 days (b)) – my 2nd pass at Spitfire Ale, the Shepherd Neame classic from Kent UK. Completely cleared but with a lot of sediment in the bottle. This has another 2 weeks to go before opening
- Grateful Dead Guy Ale (1wk (p), 2wks (s), 1 wk 3 days (b)) – a new special edition kit from Northern Brewer featuring the newly released PacMan ale yeast strain from Wyeast/Rogue Breweries, this one is a Rogue Dead Guy Ale clone. Still got 2 weeks to go, cannot wait.
- Lord Fatbottom Ale (1 mth (p), 11 1/2 wks (s)) – sitting peacefully as part of its 6 month rest.
- Flowers Original Ale clone (1 wk (p), 1 wk (s), 3 weeks (b)) – my first brew of 2010 and first attempt at the classic Flowers recipe. Still cooking, one more week before its ready to sample and review
Drinking
- Swampswill 6X (1 wk (p), 1 wk (s), 5 wks, 3 days (b) ) – my first attempt at a true Wadworth 6X clone. Not as I had hoped due to the use of oak chips. See review.
- Chiswick ESB (1 wk (p), 2 wks (s), 7 wks (b)) – version 1.0 of my Fullers ESB clone. Improved beyond all recognition, only 1 bottle remaining
- Draught Irish Ale (1 wk (p), 1 wk (s), 5 wks (k)) – my first attempt at Northern Brewers Irish Ale. Solid keg brew, does well with the BeerGas. Been taken offline whilst my keg system is out on loan to a friend. Will transfer whats left to a Growler.
- Dogfish Head 90 min IPA clone (1 wk (p), 3 wks (s), 3 mnth (b) ) – Finally ready to drink after 3 months bottle conditioning. It tastes great in a snifter, the hops are potent and peppery with the caramel malt notes coming in the back. Will definitely continue to improve with age but I am considering upping the amber malt load for the next brew and using brown sugar over white cane.
