I like this. Kind of like pre-New Year's resolutions. Mine include . . .
- Dial in my mash procedures to hit a consistent efficiency
- Work out a system to control fermentation temperatures better
- Do a split batch big beer/small beer in the old parti-gygle style
- Try my hand at ciders, perrys and maybe a braggot/mead
- Participate in beer swaps
- Enter a couple of competitions to get more systematic feedback
- Develop a "house beer" that I brew every couple of batches and really nail down
- Brew a lager or two (preferably Mexican cerveza style amber)
- Brew seasonally
That should keep me busy for a while.
Chad
Hmmm, at the halfway point I have:
- Not quite dialed in on my mash and boil processes. My efficiency still fluctuates pretty wildly. Then again, I've changed equipment a couple of times so I still don't have a stable platform to dial in. I think I'm pretty settled at this point, though.
- I do have a spare fridge that I've been using for more precise fermentation control.
- I did, in fact, do a parti-gyle, split batch resulting in about 7gal of British Mild (very nice and long gone) and about 4gal of Old Ale/English Barleywine. Having brewed it in late December of 2007, I figure it'll be ready about Christmas of '08. I've tried one near the halfway point and it is still hot, alcoholy and raisiny. But it's getting better.
- I've done two ciders so far. One was killed, mixed with commercial cider/apple juice for sweetness, and used for Christmas mulled cider. The other is about 7 weeks old at this point and should end up a little less dry than the previous version.
- I have failed miserably to be more active in beer swaps.
- I have also failed to enter any competitions.
- I still do not have a "house beer" though I have a couple of candidates.
- I have indeed brewed two lagers, one a Dos Equis/Negra Modelo clone that ended up a little less hoppy than I might have liked, but still a damn fine beer. The second is a cross between a British Bitter and an American Standard Lager. It's a SMaSH brew -- Marris Otter malt and British Challenger hops fermented with lager yeast. Should be an interesting lawnmower beer.
- No progress on brewing seasonally. We'll have to see how it goes.
Chad