This thing of competing against the family in brewing skill is a lot of fun. During our St. Patrick's Day brewfest, I was talking to John and remarkin g hoe once a year wasn't quite enough.
We came up with the idea of holding a summer event, too. This time, the rules will be slightly different. We can make anything we want, but no more than 5 % ABV. We've made stouts and barleywines, now lets see how we all do at making a session beer.
YOU MAKE WHAT? beer, astrophysics, baseball, life
Monday, March 24, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
I Lose Again
First, a bit of history. A few years ago, my niece, Emily, hosted a family get-together for St Patrick's Day. The highlight was a dinner of Irish stew, with Guinness Stout in the gravy.The following year, she asked if I would brew a stout for the dinner. Happily The next year, I thought about the brewers in the family, including my son and Emily's brother. I suggested we have a competition, with the winning stout used in the stew. My son, Joe, won.
As we got closer to this years competition, we thought, "Why just make stout every year?" So, last Thanksgiving, we held a drawing to see what we would all compete in. We picked barleywine, and everyone started making plans. Joe wasn't able to compete, but John's wife decided to give it a try.
The contestants were me, John, and his wife, Leanne. Our judge, for the second year, was Will Siss, (http://beersnobwrites.com/), teacher, local author, and family friend.
I lost again, this time, to my nephew, John. So, we've had two competitions, and I've lost to my son, and my nephew. However, since they both brew because of me, I feel like I won anyway.
As we got closer to this years competition, we thought, "Why just make stout every year?" So, last Thanksgiving, we held a drawing to see what we would all compete in. We picked barleywine, and everyone started making plans. Joe wasn't able to compete, but John's wife decided to give it a try.
The contestants were me, John, and his wife, Leanne. Our judge, for the second year, was Will Siss, (http://beersnobwrites.com/), teacher, local author, and family friend.
I lost again, this time, to my nephew, John. So, we've had two competitions, and I've lost to my son, and my nephew. However, since they both brew because of me, I feel like I won anyway.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Wow
The other night, I was outside, just looking up, and I noticed the constellation Orion.
The star in the upper left-hand corner, Betelgeuse, is a red giant. I read that scientists say it's in the final stages of its life.
If I recall correctly, they say it should explode and die sometime in the next 10,000 years. Now that doesn't mean it'll be that long, just that we don't know exactly when it will happen.
It could be 10,000 years from now. It could be next year. It could be next week. It could be tomorrow. Or...
It could have already happened, and the light of the explosion just hasn't reached us yet.
Wow
If I recall correctly, they say it should explode and die sometime in the next 10,000 years. Now that doesn't mean it'll be that long, just that we don't know exactly when it will happen.
It could be 10,000 years from now. It could be next year. It could be next week. It could be tomorrow. Or...
It could have already happened, and the light of the explosion just hasn't reached us yet.
Wow
Sorry!
Before I write what I want, I need to apologize.
I haven't posted anything since October. A lot has gotten in the way, but I think things are back in order, now.
I have a new post coming shortly, and I hope to get back on track.
Sorry
I haven't posted anything since October. A lot has gotten in the way, but I think things are back in order, now.
I have a new post coming shortly, and I hope to get back on track.
Sorry
Saturday, October 19, 2013
I Love Going Here
Before I start this, let me say I have absolutely no affiliation with this business. They don't even know I'm posting this.
I recently mentioned I had screwed up, and forgotten to get bottle caps. I did put in an online order right away. But it takes nearly a week for stuff to get to me.
It's not that I need to have beer, it's just that I have batches lined up behind it, and I hate to have unbrewed ingredients lying around. It just feels like an invitation for "critters".
So, I decided to make a road trip, and go to my not-so-local homebrew shop. I wish I was closer; Maltose Express, 246 Main St, Monroe, CT.
Every time I make this trip, I'm glad I did. The place is generously stocked, reasonably priced, and staffed with really nice, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable people.
I spent some time chatting with staff and fellow customers, tried a couple of really good beers, and left with the needed bottle caps, as well as ingredients for more beer. A day well spent.
I recently mentioned I had screwed up, and forgotten to get bottle caps. I did put in an online order right away. But it takes nearly a week for stuff to get to me.
It's not that I need to have beer, it's just that I have batches lined up behind it, and I hate to have unbrewed ingredients lying around. It just feels like an invitation for "critters".
So, I decided to make a road trip, and go to my not-so-local homebrew shop. I wish I was closer; Maltose Express, 246 Main St, Monroe, CT.
Every time I make this trip, I'm glad I did. The place is generously stocked, reasonably priced, and staffed with really nice, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable people.
I spent some time chatting with staff and fellow customers, tried a couple of really good beers, and left with the needed bottle caps, as well as ingredients for more beer. A day well spent.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Very Unhappy
I have some dreadfully sad news to report. I started to gather my equipment together to bottle my pumpkin saison. Thank goodness I get everything together before I start.
As I began, I realized I had forgotten to order bottle caps. I'm completely out.
It could be much worse. I put an order in right away, and I'll have them soon. I know from experience that the extra time won't do the beer any harm.
But, I was kinda looking forward to how this came out. I've never made a saison before, and there's no beer in the house.
As I began, I realized I had forgotten to order bottle caps. I'm completely out.
It could be much worse. I put an order in right away, and I'll have them soon. I know from experience that the extra time won't do the beer any harm.
But, I was kinda looking forward to how this came out. I've never made a saison before, and there's no beer in the house.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Last Time
Good News! This is the final time I'll be begging for votes.
Voting in the Beer Camp contest closes at midnight tonight. Please go to http://www.sierrabeercamp.com/ and vote for my video, "you Make What?"
If you've already voted, thanks, and you can vote again. If you haven't voted, yet, WHY NOT??!!
Voting in the Beer Camp contest closes at midnight tonight. Please go to http://www.sierrabeercamp.com/ and vote for my video, "you Make What?"
If you've already voted, thanks, and you can vote again. If you haven't voted, yet, WHY NOT??!!
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