To celebrate Jacky’s upcoming birthday in September, and her momentary return from Mexico (one week out of a five month trip), I’ve started a Lavender Chocolate Stout.  I’ve been planning a beer with lavender for quite some time – the initial plan, and likely the next brew with Clint, was for a pale ale with [...]

This morning I finally got around to bottling Jacky’s cider, which of course went into the carboy in early December (or was it late November?).  It tastes great, with a really nice tartness and a very light body.  I conditioned it with piloncillo, which will hopefully add a bit of molasses character to the final [...]

I finally got around to bottling this, after brewing, what, almost two months ago?  The (still not quite finished) result is pretty outstanding.  Flavors are pretty basic: malt, a tiny bit of hops, and a good shot of smoky bacon.  All in all it’s amazingly well balanced – nothing about it screams OMG BACON.  You [...]

Yet another beer post.  At least it’s something, right?

Pope of Chile Town is by far the riskiest beer I’ve done to date, and by and large it has failed.  The intent was to make a super strong beer (>10%), something like an imperial pale, and flavor it with TONS of chiles.  Serranos, japoneses, guajillos, [...]

This is my last brewing-related post for at least the next week.  Yesterday Clint and I brewed up a seasonal barleywine which we’re hoping will be ready in time for my end-of-quals celebration on Feb. 1.  If all goes to plan, it’ll be around 11-11.5% ABV.  We spruced it up with molasses, orange peel, apples, [...]