12 Beers of Christmas 2017

[biochemedic]

Ok, SWMBO just came in and said I should do it. I am in. Fruitcake Old Ale it is. I was planning a brew day in a couple weeks so I will get right to it. I found this recipe https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi4v-3pnuvRAhXEy1QKHSr-DIMQFggaMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hazardhomebrewing.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F04%2F12beers-5.txt&usg=AFQjCNFl0UgP0ll2ZSlOLYdnqEznnW7ETQ&sig2=l4dxit1nqCoqQJ78HA6s5A . Does it look right? Maybe someone could send me the recipe if not?

That looks like the exact recipe from the book

Cool, good to know. I will probably take it loosely too, (yeah even with my inexperience) my wife and I like to put our touch to everything, which we do with great success. Now my research begins, going to reread the Old Ale section in Designing Great Beers now. Have you any suggestions? I would graciously receive them. I too will be looking to make this a big beer, maybe 8%ish?

Oh boy this is gonna be fun!!

I also did some research on the style last year, and did end up modifying the recipe a bit. I PM'd you my recipe. This beer will end up pretty big even without a whole lot of help, especially if you factor in the sugar from the dried fruit...mine came in a solid 8.9%

 

[woo_pig]

Ill sample them.

 

[bobeer]

This Feb is my 5 year "brewiversary" so I figure this is a good way to celebrate that. I'll do the Ginger Honey IPA. Stoked to be a part of this!
I'll need the recipe or i can look one up tomorrow. I'll make sure it's a fresh IPA for everyone. Definitely not brewing it anytime soon!

 

[TBC]

This Feb is my 5 year "brewiversary" so I figure this is a good way to celebrate that. I'll do the Ginger Honey IPA. Stoked to be a part of this!
I'll need the recipe or i can look one up tomorrow. I'll make sure it's a fresh IPA for everyone. Definitely not brewing it anytime soon!

I just happen to have the book here at work. I will pm you a pic of the recipe.

 

[Auger]

This Feb is my 5 year "brewiversary" so I figure this is a good way to celebrate that. I'll do the Ginger Honey IPA. Stoked to be a part of this!
I'll need the recipe or i can look one up tomorrow. I'll make sure it's a fresh IPA for everyone. Definitely not brewing it anytime soon!

Sounds good! I saw you got the recipe so you should be all set.

Only two more to go, fantastic!


Available:

3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock
12) Abbey Weizen


Taken:

1) Caramel Quadrupel ( @Easycreeper )
2) Spiced Cherry Dubbel ( @passedpawn )
4) Juniper Rye Bock ( @jerbrew )
5) Fruitcake Old Ale ( @JDXX1971 )
6) Saffron Tripel ( @dryboroughbrewing )
7) Christmas Gruit ( @Auger )
8) Honey Ginger IPA (@bobeer )
9) Crabapple Lambicky Ale ( @HawleyFarms )
10) Gingerbread Ale ( @TBC )
11) Spiced Bourbon Stout ( @HopHeavy )

 

[blaggard]

Ahhh this looks fun! Look forward to participating next year!

 

[blaggard]

However I'm in Canada. I understand logistics counts me out. Is anyone aware of a Canadian community somewhere within these forums? Would be fun to organize a northern exchange!

 

[Auger]

We definitely have some Canadian members, you might be able to get enough together for a Great White North swap.

Looks like there are a few Canada-specific threads in the International forum section:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=234

 

[HopHeavy]

I have a proposal for you all (though mostly @Auger ). My brother Pete, a home brewer, has expressed an interest in brewing the 3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock and participating in this trade. However, he is not a member here (yet). I recognize this is a departure from the plan, but I can absolutely vouch for him and it may serve to simplify some of the shipping. I believe a similar arrangement was successful in the last incarnation in 2016. Let me know your thoughts on this so I can inform him.

 

[passedpawn]

I have a proposal for you all (though mostly @Auger ). My brother Pete, a home brewer, has expressed an interest in brewing the 3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock and participating in this trade. However, he is not a member here (yet). I recognize this is a departure from the plan, but I can absolutely vouch for him and it may serve to simplify some of the shipping. I believe a similar arrangement was successful in the last incarnation in 2016. Let me know your thoughts on this so I can inform him.

The failures to follow thru are pretty well documented in the past version of this endeavor. Pretty awful, mostly for the person who failed.

Are you sure you want to shoulder this?

 

[HopHeavy]

The failures to follow thru are pretty well documented in the past version of this endeavor. Pretty awful, mostly for the person who failed.

Are you sure you want to shoulder this?

Oh, I am acutely aware of the shortcomings of participants in the past. I also found the restraint displayed by all involved extraordinary. I am tempted to tag a user or two just so they know the shame persists, but it is not my place. But hey, would you agree they met or exceeded the participation requirements of that trade, or even this one?

Shoulder my brother? Sure! Never a more upright guy. He is the one who dragged me down this rabbit hole of a hobby. Of course, if ANYONE finds this scenario objectionable, lets not worry about it. We have time to round out the brewers right here.

 

[passedpawn]

Oh, I am acutely aware of the shortcomings of participants in the past. I also found the restraint displayed by all involved extraordinary. I am tempted to tag a user or two just so they know the shame persists, but it is not my place. But hey, would you agree they met or exceeded the participation requirements of that trade, or even this one?

Shoulder my brother? Sure! Never a more upright guy. He is the one who dragged me down this rabbit hole of a hobby. Of course, if ANYONE finds this scenario objectionable, lets not worry about it. We have time to round out the brewers right here.

Haha, I'd say the same thing. My younger brother is a mostly silent member here as well (and an AWESOME DUDE).

 

[bobeer]

Oh, I am acutely aware of the shortcomings of participants in the past. I also found the restraint displayed by all involved extraordinary. I am tempted to tag a user or two just so they know the shame persists, but it is not my place. But hey, would you agree they met or exceeded the participation requirements of that trade, or even this one?

Shoulder my brother? Sure! Never a more upright guy. He is the one who dragged me down this rabbit hole of a hobby. Of course, if ANYONE finds this scenario objectionable, lets not worry about it. We have time to round out the brewers right here.

This is my first year participating in this exchange but, for what it's worth, I hold zero objection for him being a part of the trade. I have a brother too and there's no one to shoulder better than your bro.

 

[Auger]

I have a proposal for you all (though mostly @Auger ). My brother Pete, a home brewer, has expressed an interest in brewing the 3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock and participating in this trade. However, he is not a member here (yet). I recognize this is a departure from the plan, but I can absolutely vouch for him and it may serve to simplify some of the shipping. I believe a similar arrangement was successful in the last incarnation in 2016. Let me know your thoughts on this so I can inform him.

I don't have a serious problem with it, like you said, we did it last year and it worked out. Why don't we give it another few weeks here to see if we can round out the list with active members, and if we're still short and no one has any objections, then we can go ahead, fair enough?

If anyone has an issue with that and wants to PM me about it vs. posting publicly in the thread, I'm fine with that too.

 

[HopHeavy]

I don't have a serious problem with it, like you said, we did it last year and it worked out. Why don't we give it another few weeks here to see if we can round out the list with active members, and if we're still short and no one has any objections, then we can go ahead, fair enough?

If anyone has an issue with that and wants to PM me about it vs. posting publicly in the thread, I'm fine with that too.

No problem at all.

 

[JDXX1971]

Ok, I am getting my recipe put together, here is a link. I am still in the process of researching and may yet resort to following an established recipe, being as I don't really know what I am doing and all.

Let me know what you think, dont let me screw it up for everybody.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=600772

 

[Easycreeper]

I did the Quad last year. I did two incarnations as I wasn't super happy with the first one. The tricky part (for me) was getting the caramel addition to have just the right amount of caramel taste without going too far and get a burnt taste.

I like this beer. It was a great experience last year, but have to sit out this year.

Enjoy. I will be following.

@binabik

Do you mind sharing what yeast you used and if you were happy with it?

Considering a few different strains right now and even tempted to see if I can get hands on one of the "private collection" offerings when it becomes available in a couple of months. Waiting, unfortunately, will rob a few months of aging that the beer likely needs.

Thanks.

 

[biochemedic]

I had used WLP 500 Trappist Ale yeast when I brewed the Caramel Quad a few yrs ago. I was happy with it in terms of fermentation, but I had a bit of difficulty bottle carbing, even after adding fresh yeast...If I were to do it again (which I won't, as shortly after I switched to the ever so much more controllable force carbonation/kegging) I would choose a different strain to add at bottling for carbonation...

 

[Easycreeper]

I had used WLP 500 Trappist Ale yeast when I brewed the Caramel Quad a few yrs ago. I was happy with it in terms of fermentation, but I had a bit of difficulty bottle carbing, even after adding fresh yeast...If I were to do it again (which I won't, as shortly after I switched to the ever so much more controllable force carbonation/kegging) I would choose a different strain to add at bottling for carbonation...

Thanks for the info. I may end up using one of the two strains I'm familiar with and likely the latter of the two since the first gave me conditioning problems like yours did. There's always EC-1118 for bottle conditioning... Hasn't let me down yet.

Now the question is: do I roast my own amber malt or buy it. Leaning towards giving home roasting a try.

 

[BroomVikin]

I just happen to have the book here at work. I will pm you a pic of the recipe.

I was reading through the list of recipes on the OPs post and the Honey Ginger IPA piqued my interest enough that I hopped on half.com and picked up Radical Brewing for like $7. Imagine my disappointment when the "recipe" for that particular brew (pg. 169) consists of "Brew an IPA. Add honey and ginger." Am I missing the recipe somewhere else in the book or did you come up with one of your own?

 

[b-boy]

I'd like to do this if there is still room. Are there any beers left?

 

[HawleyFarms]

I'd like to do this if there is still room. Are there any beers left?

Looks like Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock and Abby Weizenbock are still available if I'm reading this correctly. Will be great to see a fellow WNY'er in this!

 

[passedpawn]

Looks like Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock and Abby Weizenbock are still available if I'm reading this correctly. Will be great to see a fellow WNY'er in this!

I believe HopHeavy's bro Pete is doing the Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock. That leaves the Abbey Weizenbock.

 

[TBC]

I was reading through the list of recipes on the OPs post and the Honey Ginger IPA piqued my interest enough that I hopped on half.com and picked up Radical Brewing for like $7. Imagine my disappointment when the "recipe" for that particular brew (pg. 169) consists of "Brew an IPA. Add honey and ginger." Am I missing the recipe somewhere else in the book or did you come up with one of your own?

You brew your favorite IPA and after you rack it to the secondary follow the directions. I believe there are a couple of IPA recipes in the book if you don't have a particular favorite.

 

[HopHeavy]

I believe HopHeavy's bro Pete is doing the Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock. That leaves the Abbey Weizenbock.

Auger and I came to the determination that we should get all the brewers from here on HBT if we could. So let @b-boy pick which ever brew he likes!

 

[passedpawn]

Got it.

 

[Auger]

I was reading through the list of recipes on the OPs post and the Honey Ginger IPA piqued my interest enough that I hopped on half.com and picked up Radical Brewing for like $7. Imagine my disappointment when the "recipe" for that particular brew (pg. 169) consists of "Brew an IPA. Add honey and ginger." Am I missing the recipe somewhere else in the book or did you come up with one of your own?

You brew your favorite IPA and after you rack it to the secondary follow the directions. I believe there are a couple of IPA recipes in the book if you don't have a particular favorite.

Yeah a few of the recipes are like that....the chapter in the book is all about using different spices in brewing and how to handle them, so some of the recipes focus on the spice blends and rely on the brewer to have a solid base recipe to start with. The spiced bourbon stout I did last year was like that as well. IMO I liked it because it allowed me to kind of feel more ownership of the beer since I had already been developing the base stout recipe, vs. just using an existing recipe part and parcel.

 

[b-boy]

That's fine. I'll take the Abby Weizenbock. This should be a lot of fun.

 

[bobeer]

So that just leaves the one beer! Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock anyone?

 

[Auger]

That's fine. I'll take the Abby Weizenbock. This should be a lot of fun.

Great!


Available:

3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock



Taken:

1) Caramel Quadrupel ( @Easycreeper )
2) Spiced Cherry Dubbel ( @passedpawn )
4) Juniper Rye Bock ( @jerbrew )
5) Fruitcake Old Ale ( @JDXX1971 )
6) Saffron Tripel ( @dryboroughbrewing )
7) Christmas Gruit ( @Auger )
8) Honey Ginger IPA (@bobeer )
9) Crabapple Lambicky Ale ( @HawleyFarms )
10) Gingerbread Ale ( @TBC )
11) Spiced Bourbon Stout ( @HopHeavy )
12) Abbey Weizen ( @b-boy )