I mentioned on and off the last year that for my 45th Birthday I had planned to brew a huge Barleywine that I wanted to lay up for 5 years until my 50th. But with all the heart crap going on this summer, plans for it, and even the desire for it has fallen by the wayside.
My Birthday was August 27th.
And to be brutally honest, I have no clue if I'm even going to be alive in 5 years to enjoy the fruits of this endeavor.
But my wonderful swmbo has been pushing me to do this for a couple of weeks now, as some sort of "brewing therapy" to get back into doing something that I love. (I haven't brewed anything since the batch I brewed 3 days before they discovered my heart issues in early July, in fact that batch is still sitting in primary, where I MAY indeed prove myself wrong about autolysis .)
With some nudging by her, I've decided to brew this monster on Sept. 19th. Several brewing buddies are coming together (anyone locally is welcome, btw-PM me) with enough gear to pull off something big and beyond my turkey fryer/cooler setup. One of my friends and his wife have graciously offered their house and their yard to hang out and brew in, and are firing up a smoker to make this a true brewing party.
And they have decided that if I'm not around on my 50th that they'll drink it as a tribute to me, so it won't go to waste.
So, as the title states, help me come up with a recipe fitting of this kind of poignant, if not slightly morbid task. (I'm half tempted to label it with "Drink this in memory of me" on it.)
I've looked at some recipes, including PTN's Utopia Clones, and the 9-9-9 Barleywines. And I have about 50# of 2-row laying calling for me to brew with it. But having never tackled a hug beer like this, I'm kinda at a loss as to where to begin.
I am considering pulling at least a gallon, maybe 2 of it down the line and freeze concentrating it, to really make something potent.
So I'd appreciate it if you guys who mean so much to me, would help me come up with something special.
And if anyone's aroung SE Michigan a week from Sunday, and wants to help out/or hang out, let me know.
Thanks Gang.
If you are interested, the final recipe is here.
Final Version.
My Birthday was August 27th.
And to be brutally honest, I have no clue if I'm even going to be alive in 5 years to enjoy the fruits of this endeavor.
But my wonderful swmbo has been pushing me to do this for a couple of weeks now, as some sort of "brewing therapy" to get back into doing something that I love. (I haven't brewed anything since the batch I brewed 3 days before they discovered my heart issues in early July, in fact that batch is still sitting in primary, where I MAY indeed prove myself wrong about autolysis .)
With some nudging by her, I've decided to brew this monster on Sept. 19th. Several brewing buddies are coming together (anyone locally is welcome, btw-PM me) with enough gear to pull off something big and beyond my turkey fryer/cooler setup. One of my friends and his wife have graciously offered their house and their yard to hang out and brew in, and are firing up a smoker to make this a true brewing party.
And they have decided that if I'm not around on my 50th that they'll drink it as a tribute to me, so it won't go to waste.
So, as the title states, help me come up with a recipe fitting of this kind of poignant, if not slightly morbid task. (I'm half tempted to label it with "Drink this in memory of me" on it.)
I've looked at some recipes, including PTN's Utopia Clones, and the 9-9-9 Barleywines. And I have about 50# of 2-row laying calling for me to brew with it. But having never tackled a hug beer like this, I'm kinda at a loss as to where to begin.
I am considering pulling at least a gallon, maybe 2 of it down the line and freeze concentrating it, to really make something potent.
So I'd appreciate it if you guys who mean so much to me, would help me come up with something special.
And if anyone's aroung SE Michigan a week from Sunday, and wants to help out/or hang out, let me know.
Thanks Gang.
If you are interested, the final recipe is here.
Final Version.