What yeast did you use?
I dove into the Caramel Quad just before... Hopefully I will be brewing this in the next few weeks. Have my 530 ready to spin up. Have to say, I like yours a lot! A faint tootsie roll sweet to beat any high ABV heat! Did you use Mosher's 1:1 molten DME/sugar method? I always thought that sounded nuts, but if that is how you did it, I am a believer...
@Scturo
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@jerbrew and @biochemedic the goods were here when I returned from a Christmas trip this afternoon... Many thanks!
Did you use Mosher's 1:1 molten DME/sugar method? I always thought that sounded nuts, but if that is how you did it, I am a believer...
@Scturo
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Glad you like it. I did use the 1:1 method.
I was thinking about jumping into either a FotD or related trade group at some point next year. Anyone from group 2 willing to give me an itrader plug?
Going to do a big testing session on New year's Eve. I'll let you know my thoughts. If I can remember them....
I was thinking about jumping into either a FotD or related trade group at some point next year. Anyone from group 2 willing to give me an itrader plug?
Going to do a big testing session on New year's Eve. I'll let you know my thoughts. If I can remember them....
I was thinking about jumping into either a FotD or related trade group at some point next year. Anyone from group 2 willing to give me an itrader plug?
Don’t be shy give it a try. I was in group 1 and I’m in charge of this round!
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...yankie-my-wankie-the-donger-need-beer.660208/
@Blackdirt_cowboy Damn, sorry the one leaked. Any chance it still held carb?
Thanks for the feedback, @Auger . I took 3 bottles of Abbey Weizen to the family Christmas gathering and was surprised that my dad drank 2 of them the first night. He's a bmc guy and doesn't drink much of what I make. Guess I need to brew another batch of it!
There were 5 of us trying out the 12BoC. Unfortunately, I did not take notes of the various reactions. Krampus was the unexpected fave. Only 2 of us really enjoy craft beer and I think all 5 would say stouts are not something we'd drink often, but we all agreed to open a 2nd bottle of Krampus. The Gruit was also really well-liked. A little more time and we'd have probably gotten into a 2nd bottle of that.
Due to cargo space, I had to leave the remaining bottles behind. If I get any back full I'll make sure to jot down some better feedback.
Sweet. I'm traveling with work, so I'll have to sit this round out, but I think I'll jump in the next one.
Fruitcake Old Ale (@Auger )
Appearance
Pours a deep ruby red with a 0.5” head that dissipates in about a minute.
Aroma
Spice aroma is prominent but difficult to discern individual spices. Sweet malt with a balance of fruits (raisin, fig, etc.)
Flavor
Perfect carbonation level. Malt forward transforming into slightly acidic lingering fruit flavors and a hint of spices at the end.
Overall Impression
I really love the balance of the acidity from the fruit with the sweetness if the malt and slight kick of spices. This is a delicious, well crafted, flawless and easy to drink old ale.
Gingerdead Man (@fourfarthing )
Appearance
Pours medium brown with a persistent quarter inch head.
Aroma
Sweet bready with ginger and a hint of cinnamon and other spices.
Flavor
Good carbonation. Malt forward blending smoothly into what can only be described as gingerbread cookie flavor. The cinnamon and allspice hit first followed by the spicy ginger ending with a pleasant lingering clove aftertaste.
Overall Impression
This beer is wonderfully balanced and brings back holiday memories with every sip. Perfect as a Christmas season dessert beer.
Krampus (@anotherbeerplease )
Appearance
Black as night with a caramel colored head that slowly dissipates to a thin layer after a minute or so.
Aroma
Huge chocolate, vanilla, also graham cracker. The bourbon definitely comes through too but subdued compared to the other aromas.
Flavor
Roasted coffee and chocolate blending into the mix of spices and vanilla followed by a bourbon alcohol hit that lingers pleasantly for 10-15 seconds. The finish is woody and earthy.
Overall Impression
This is the beer I was most excited to try and it didn't disappoint. This stout is pleasantly balanced for being a barrel aged monster. It is a sipping beer and one that I'll cherish until they're all gone.
I let the wife take a sip which became a few sips and I almost didn't get the glass back.
Gruit (@November )
Appearance
Pours amber with a head that dissipates quickly.
Aroma
Sweet malty aroma combined with a cool herbal blend.
Flavor
Malt forward, which I expected, transforming into a bright herbal taste/sensation that finished with a kick of cinnamon.
Interesting note: After a few sips, something in this had a numbing effect on my tongue.
Overall Impression
I haven't had a gruit before so I didn't know what to expect. It's delicious! This is quite delicate and complex, and a wonderful move away from the typical hoppy ale. My wife made me split this with her and she is going to make me brew her a gruit now.
Crabapple Lambicky (@mirthfuldragon )
Appearance
Golden yellow, slightly hazy. Head dissipates very quickly.
Aroma
Similar to a sparkling white wine or a cider. Fruity and bright.
Flavor
Tangy and tart immediately due to the pH. Bright cider fruit flavor followed by a malty and bready finish, breadier than I would expect for the color.
After a few more sips, the breadiness was almost unnoticeable allowing the fruit and sour aspects to shine.
Overall Impression
This is quite good and the first home brewed sour I've had. It is on par with some and better than most professional attempts at the style. I'd get a 6 pack (or more) of this if I could.
I would like to try the spiced bourbon stouts of @gromitdj and @anotherbeerplease - If either of you are willing to ship me one of these I'd happily return the favor with a homebrew of my own. I just want to see what you guys brewed to see where I'm going to take it in 2019. Thanks
Not a problem, I've got a few left. PM me your address.
@gromitdj i just had one of your stouts earlier. When you spiced it did you use the recommended amounts in the book. If so did you use 1 whole star anise or 0.25 ground? The reason I’m asking is I’m brewing this for 2019 and I think I want to lower the anise a little bit.
I spiced it exactly like the recommended recipe states, using the 1 whole star anise. The only thing I changed was that I wanted to use More Bourbon than Vodka. So, I went with 4 oz. Bourbon to 2 oz. Vodka.
Edited to add: I did crush the Star Anise pretty good. Maybe it extracted a little more flavor than if I had left it whole.
Edited again to say: I actually don't remember if I crushed the star anise or not, I know I crushed the Juniper Berries, but don't remember crushing the anise. I guess I should have wrote it down.
I would like to try the spiced bourbon stouts of @gromitdj and @anotherbeerplease - If either of you are willing to ship me one of these I'd happily return the favor with a homebrew of my own. I just want to see what you guys brewed to see where I'm going to take it in 2019. Thanks
I definitely would have shipped you one but ended up finishing the few I had left.
My last one of these was sadly undrinkable. I popped the cap and tried to pour it but it foamed over so much that I ended up with an oz. in my glass covered with a glass of foam and most overflowed down the drain.So, ironically after reading the above, I came on here to let Group 2 know that my last two of my Gingerbread Ale’s (not to be confused with the group 1 version above) have been gushers. Still a decent beer, but.... Please drink soon or dump as if infected I don’t want bombs on my conscience. Any dumps let me know and I will find you replacement beer.
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