I wanted a winter warmer that's a touch on the dark side with some spruce notes. Here's the recipe link - what do ya think?
http://yuri.rage.googlepages.com/ws_warmer_ag.htm
http://yuri.rage.googlepages.com/ws_warmer_ag.htm
Was kinda thinking that myself...it's gonna be really malty, but I'm guessing the spruce will help bitter it up.orfy said:...tempted to knock back on the hops.
You read my mind!the_bird said:...the 10 minute addition...
Not really sure about that...I don't know if mint is going to be welcome in this one or not. I'll think about including this one in a brew swap to gather some opinions.Spyk'd said:How about some fresh mint in the secondary to compliment the pine and make it more festive?
Yuri_Rage said:The sample was pretty hot. Good thing there's a few months until Christmas (and the Secret Santa brew swap!).
Well, so far I'd have to agree. The pre-spruce flavor was a little hot with a heavy molasses note and an obvious Simcoe twang. It was definitely on its way to being a decent beer. Now, the spruce is strong and biting, making even a sip of the sample hard to swallow. I think I'm going straight to bottles with this one rather than kegging and force carbing. After a few months of bottle conditioning, perhaps it will mellow. I don't have high hopes, but I'm committed to seeing it through.eviljafar said:I'm interested in trying one so I'm keen to hear some future tasting notes Yuri Rage. By the sound of it maybe 1/2 oz extract might be a safer place to start.
Yuri_Rage said:I brewed this one two months ago today. I haven't tried it in well over a month. I was going to wait until Christmas to try one...but...should I???
That's all the persuasion I need. Going to chill one down right now.YooperBrew said:Heck no, don't wait any more! Try one and see if the spruce has mellowed. And then let us know!
It's in 27 degree iced saltwater, so it'll be chilled pretty quickly...Sir Humpsalot said:Ok. It's been 4 minutes. Is it chilled yet?
...
you blamed your poor efficiency on laziness. Do you recall what you did differently?
Enough of the chit-chat..... How is the brew?Yuri_Rage said:It's in 27 degree iced saltwater, so it'll be chilled pretty quickly...
I got sloppy. I didn't use the steam rig which has skyrocketed my efficiency well into the 80's every time I use it. Unfortunately, it takes a bit of time and effort to get it set up, and I figured I'd just go with a single infusion. I also think I found a few dry "dough balls" in the bottom of the mash tun - guess I didn't stir well enough, either. If I'd checked the gravity of the pre-boil wort more carefully, I'd have found that I could've sparged more and boiled off the excess volume.
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