On Tap Update (April 19th)
Whaheyyyy, finally managed to get a couple of posts out this week even with a busy work schedule. Despite my lack of blogging the ales are working and the Speckled Hen clone is most definitely a winner, probably the best one to date. It has been a busy week though, on the road again meaning more ales left in the cellar at the end of the week (unless the wife is sampling a few). There has to be some silver linings.
I caved and went on eBay and purchased a beat up floor model wine cellar for the summer. It will take well over a case of beers and keep the brews at 55ºF. I have decided to lay down some of the Old Ales and Imperial IPA’s over the summer and will need a constant temperature to avoid spoiling. I am really excited to sample these beers this time next year to see how the Old’s really mature when given a chance (not something that happens much in this house, most ales are shown no mercy).
I managed to get some brewing done over the weekend, my first weekend brewing in April. I got the Brakespears Bitter clone off and running using the Special Edition Wyeast Thames Valley II strain, allegedly taken from the now defunct Brakespear Henley Brewery. Very excited to see how the brew comes out. Be good to have a session brew or 2 along side all the heavy Old’s and Browns I currently have in the cellar. Next weekend I am planning to brew a small experiment batch of my Samuel Smiths Nut Brown Ale clone, the last in the Olds and Browns series. I am also considering putting together another stout, especially given that Wyeast has a Limited Edition yeast hailing from the Guinness St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin, a opportunity that cannot go to waste.
So lots of excitement to come but whats On Tap today!
Primary
- Brakespears Bitter clone (1 day (p)) – Using the Brakespears yeast currently available from Wyeast. The observed OG was well within range. Yeast cake is beginning to form.
Secondary
- Left Overs Old Ale (1 wk (p), 2 wk (s) ) – So my left over recipe (sort of modeled after a Fullers Vintage) appears to be going fine. I don’t know if I can wait a year to try one of these. It tasted really delicious out of the primary, hints of marmalade, with a really smooth mouth feel. One of the reasons I brought the cellar was to lay a couple of these down for at least a year. Have decided to extend the rest for an additional week. No hurry and no need for the carboy.
- 115th Dream Imperial IPA ( 2 wks (p) 1 mth 1 wk (s) ) – A rather extreme IPA, high in ABV and a whopping 120 IBUs with over a 1 lb of hops using a technique called Hop Bursting I covered a few weeks back. It came out of the primary a whopping 1015 FG, almost 83% attenuation from the mighty American Ale yeast and checking in at over 10% ABV, now in the final week of its 6 week rest.
- Lord Fatbottom Ale (1 mth (p), 4 mths 2 wk (s)) – Now 2 weeks into the final 1/3rd of its 6 months rest.
Bottle/Keg Conditioning
- Petite Saison d’Ete (1 wk (p) 2 wk (s), 1 day (b) ) – This is a first for me. Thought I would try a Belgium classic with this Saison from Northern Brewer. As reported last week I had to delay bottling due to very active yeast. It was worth the wait as the SG came down quite a bit. The ale is also really clear and tasted great, nice and spicy from the Saison yeast. Will give this 2 weeks before trying a sample.
Drinking
- Old Speckled Hen clone ( 1 wk (p) 1 wk (s), 3 wks (b) ) – Came out great, see the review here. This is a REALLY popular drink in the house right now and I predict it will be gone within the week.
- Olde Luddite English Strong Ale (1 wk(p) 3 wks (s), 1 mth (b) ) – A new Old Ale kit from Northern Brewer, thought I would add some Old Ale kits to my current Old’s and Browns series. This new ale from NB is a 5 star brew. Easily confused with a smooth session brew but don’t let it, it packs a massive ABV punch. This ale will age well and I will be laying a couple down in the cellar when it arrives.
- Theakston Old Peculier Clone (1 wk(p) 3 wks(s) 1 mth 1 wk (b)) – My first pass at this classic old ale, FG came out in range along with the colour, that is all we can ask. Came out a 10/10 (see review) and promoted to the permanent recipes page.
- Dogfish Head 90 min IPA clone (1 wk (p), 3 wks (s), 5 mths 1 wk (b) ) – Looking forward to cracking the 6 month bottle open
