Crazy? No, just happy.

Terry's new status message - What are u a pussy? dont be an asshole drink real beer -wolfbrew 4:33 PM
Ah, and the grassroots movement has begun.

Before I get to the recent flood of activity I have a little history lesson. You already know how I am linked to beer because of my last name. (If you don't, go back and read my older posts). Well here is another reason why I am destined to make beer.

Protestants.
You all remember the German Reinheitsgebot? It's the purity law that only allows beer to be made with malt, hops, yeast and water. What was it a reaction to? Well in part to those crazy Catlicks. Apparently, prior to the 16th century the pope and his minions had a monopoly on a vast number of herbs used for medicinal purposes, including beer. If you don't believe me, read Steve Buhner's book "Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers" where he writes "The historical record is clear that hops' supplementation of other herbs was primarily a reflection of Protestant irritation about 'drugs' and the catholic church, in concert with competing merchants trying to break a monopoly and so increase their profits." So after a thousand years of herb dominance, the Protestants protested and forged the way for that resiny green plant we have all come to love. Now if only we could forge the way for another member of the Cannabaceae family....

The Graduator
Although I haven't officially graduated yet, I am done with law school. The beer brewed for such an occasion was the malty bock-like Graduator. At first it was a bit too sweet for me, as I used a minimal amount of hops and a large amount of caramel malt. Now however, it has mellowed and become quite a good food accompaniment and even pretty good on its own. I am glad I got to celebrate with it among my **brator study group out in Mattituck, Although we were poor in sunshine we were rich in homebrew.





St. Andrew's Tripel
"This is definitely my favorite beer of yours," said the wise Rockin' Roshelli. Strong, spicy, smooth and refreshing. No, not Andrew, but his beer. Oh, and there's St. Andrew drinking a St. Ides...


Little C's Lavender
This delicious libation has finally been bottled as its muse anxiously awaits her first sip. The good news is that its floral bouquet is not overpoweringly intense and it tastes very much like a classic golden blonde. Remember, it was brewed with honey so there will always be that mild sweetness on the tip of your tongue which will lead to the slight hop bitterness on the back of your tongue. When you drink this beer, hold it in your mouth as try to pick out the distinct senses as the beer flows from the tip to the back of your tongue. (By the way, this could all be a bunch of nonsense. Remember, this beer is named after the Queens of BS)!

Blond HopShell.
Oh, did I mention that since the last time I wrote I got engaged? What better way to celebrate a new future than with a new beer? I have a really interesting picture of the beer but it's on my camera which I can't find so deal with this for now. Oh, and there is the most beautiful woman in the world standing by some buildings I never knew existed in NYC.
This beer, like its namesake, is going to be out of this world. Ardennes Belgian yeast, the most malt I have ever used, adjunct grains I have never used before and a ton of hops. This is going to be bold, badass and ready to knock you out with her beautiful blonde strength. Don't get in her way. I'd advise enjoying her when you have a whole day to kill and just want to sit around enjoying your surroundings. After one of these you won't be able to do much else. It will be a while before this beauty of a beast is ready, but it will be well worth the wait. There's nothing like sticking to what you love.

A couple of footnotes

The Reginale

I only bring this up because it is fermenting in my basement. Here it is on the left, with the Hopsehll on the right. Brewmaster Stu is making this for his Queen but needed to rent out my facility. I used twice as much malt and hops in the Hopshell but hey, i do crazy things like wake up one morning single and go to bed engaged! Gotta take risk, eh?
There's the Stumaster doing some backbreaking brewing. The things we do for women... oh wait, i mean beer.


Frankenstupp
Yes, it is time. Mein freund Herr Stupp will become Herr Braumeister. The creature will be of Belgian yeast, german dark malt, american hops and rye of unknown origins. As they say, Hüten Sie sich vor der Kreatur.




by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open...

Prost

Black India Pale Ale?

Can there be such a thing as a black "pale" ale? The answer is... well.... yes. Maybe I'll name mine the oxy moronic ale.

The first tidbit I learned on my west coast excursion is that Cascadian hops and roasted barley make for a delicious combination. More on this later.


St. Andrew's Tripel

A brief disclaimer: there has been some upheaval that Andrew got shafted in the naming of his beer. All those who want to voice their concern have the floor. I think this beer is an honor to him, but I'm bias towards its delicouss potency. Yes, it is quite strong in alcohol. Although I tried it prematurly- at the bequest of a certain fan- it had all the Belgian spiciness of a tripel but was a bit on the dark side. Coloration was a concern of mine because I used pale malt instead of the lighter pilsner malt. Color aside it still needs some aging to lessen the alcohol presence. Right now it is quite like Andrew; edgy, gingery and not too mellow but will always make for a good time. With proper aging it will simmer down and become refreshing. Am I talking about Andrew or the beer?


The Blond Hopshell

For this bad girl I will use the pilser malt to get a more authentic light color. I will not however, use cascadian hops. I'll save those for my India Black Ale. I refuse to say Black IPA, it's just not right. I was planning on bringing ingredients back from the old west but the store did not have a grain crusher, and I was not bringing whole grains in my suitcase. I am very excited about this beer. Big Belgian complexity with a bitter hop infusion. mm mmm mmm.

Now for the IBA/Black IPA/ CBA

This topic was actually debated at a recent beer conference. Yes, even beer people are dorks (look at me). The arguements were made: People will understand and be attracted to a black IPA because they already know they like IPAs. But you can't have a black and pale ale! Because it's bittered with hops, it's based on the IPA buuuuttt, it's dark and roasty so let's call it an India Black Ale (i like this). But no-one will know what that is. People didn't know what an IPA was until someone explained! CBA- Cascadian Black Ale- now this name is just because one of the two brewers who originated the style wanted to show where it was from... same reason IPAs have the word India- but the consensus was that east coasters wouldn't be too keen on the term because it's exclusive. I agree. No-one outside the pacific northwest even knows what the hell Cascadian means. It's a mountain range. (see image below). And everything in the region is named after it. Think of Colorado and their baseball team... people like their mountains.

So we have a new style of beer. It smells like citrusy hops but without the intense hop bitterness. The secondary flavors are of toasty roasted barley and dark grain. Imagine if Guinness smelled like dogfish head 90 minute.... pretty weird huh? Those pacific northwest hops have really strong grapefruit smells so it is quite odd to put your nose into a dark beer that smells of such citrusy hops. I thoroughly enjoyed the half dozen samples I had. The best might have been at Widmer. They make so many beers we don't get here. I enjoyed their W"10 Pitch Black IPA with some dragon wings. Spiciest wings ever. A friend I met out there said it best... Portlanders are intense about everything. Extreme and unique cocktails, beers, bars, music and hipsters... well the hipsters all look the same... just like in NY but with beeny caps and flannel shirts. Not my scene.

I predict the east coast will be invaded with black hoppy beers very very soon. Get ready. I'll have mine after the bar exam. Until then.... cheers.

Oh yeah... Little C don't think I forgot about you. Honey Lav shall be bottled this weekend.