Red is Bottled

Bottled the red today. It tastes great so far, cannot wait for it to be fully conditioned and chilled. Even Kate is looking forward to it, which is a pleasant surprise for me. Specific gravity is still at 1.014, which is not surprising. This means a final ABV of about 3.4%.

I am thinking the next will be a dark hefeweizen. The citrusy notes combined with a hint of roasted barley. =)

St. Patty’s Day Beer pt. 2

Well, the Red is currently cooling on the counter, waiting for the addition of the yeast which will make it (eventaully) into a delicious ale that I will drink on, and after, St. Patrick’s day.

The Stout is still very delicious and I am looking forward to not only making an Imperial version of it, but also brewing a peppercorn stout (or porter) later on. This will be different from my pepper-infused red that I will also be making, but I expect both to be popular in their own circles.

No gravity readings yet, the sample is still cooling down, but I will give it once I have it.

Don’t worry, have a home brew!

It had to begin sometime…

This is the first of possibly many entries in the world of Stark Stout, my quest for a dark and bitter beer that will keep my whistle wet and my belly warm and full.

On the 17th of October I began my first batch of home brew. Using a kit that was included with the equipment I purchased from the Home Fermenter Center. Sadly, my first few batches are more about learning the process than creating my delicious drink, though I imagine I will make plenty of good beer in their making. I am fortunate enough to have friends who can offer help with brewing processes and techniques and many more who will gladly be my test subjects.

In addition to the high-gravity,dark, hoppy creation that will be Stark Stout, I will also develop recipes for Sunspear Rye (a rye in the style of a hefe) and Targaryan Amber (I need to find a way to make it spicy but not overpowering). A Kraken Pale Ale would be interesting as well as an Old Town Barley Wine. Any noticing a pattern gets a free sample of each brew as it’s finished. =)

Also, one or more of these may end up as a gruit beer. I have a friend who is allergic to hops and I am toying with the idea of creating a hop-free beer that she could enjoy with us.