Bottling Report

We have the first batch of beer already bottled and it’s conditioning now. Racking and bottling went well, though inexperience did cause the loss of about 3 bottles of delicious, delicious beer. The taste is bold and hoppy, very good even before conditioned and properly chilled. I (and others promised tastes) eagerly await this weekend, which should be the culmination of the conditioning.

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.