Post Holiday Wrap Up

The sticke altbier didn't get brewed over the weekend. Timing of everything going on just wasn't conducive to getting it done.

I did manage to transfer the "European" Cream Ale out of primary and into secondary. It's going to be great once the slight sulfer in there (a normal byproduct of the yeast strain used) disappears with a bit of aging. I may even make it a "house" beer and up the batch size to ten gallons depending on the feedback of others. I think it will be popular. I plan on entering this into future competitions to get unbiased opinions and hopefully some constructive criticism.

In looking at my brew calendar, it's been over two weeks since I brewed my last beer. With tax season approaching, I'm getting antsy in my pantsy...my brew days are numbered. As such, and while not a beer, tonight I plan on making next year's hard apple cider. Changing it up a bit for this go around, I'm throwing all sorts of fun ingredients in: Turbinado sugar, clover honey, 4.5# of sour cherries and Ceylon cinnamon. Who knows what I'm going to wind up with?

I'm getting a late start on next year's cider and I hope it's ready in time for next autumn. I generally like to let these age for a year. I recently put this year's cider (made Oct 2007) back on tap and it tastes great. Though the keg is about to kick...Perhaps I can get one more celebratory Spiced Woody out of it?

I hope everyone had a wonderful and fun filled Xmas holiday. We had an excellent time celebrating with our family at our house. Ellen was nice enough to hook me up with British stamped pint glasses imported from England for Xmas. These are the ones you'll find at every pub. Most excellent.

On Xmas, our commercial beer tastings included:

2007 Deschutes Abyss
Fantome La Dalmatienne
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Special Reserve (Aged in whiskey casks)
Delirium Nocturnum

I've got to say, while I've only had a few different Fantomes, the few I've had are amazing. Wonderful Belgians. If you have the opportunity, try them. You won't be disappointed.

Cheers.