12 Beers of Christmas 2017

[dryboroughbrewing]

Looking good, just picked up some 3787 to pilot out a few batches. It's going to be rough, brewing and drinking several tripels to decide what goes best with saffron, but I shall soldier on for you fine folks. Think nothing of my tremendous sacrifice.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

Just finished reworking some recipes and loading them onto the Picobrew to pilot. (I'll be using the big rig for the 'real deal', but it might kill me to have 50 gallons of Tripel lying around).

So, I'm going to shoot for Tripels in the style of Westmalle, Rochefort, Tripel Karmeliet, Victory Golden Monkey, and La Fin Du Monde, any other suggestions?

 

[binabik]

@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.

Sorry for the delayed response.

I used Wyeast Belgian Abbey II for mine. I was quite happy with the results.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

Westmalle clone is a brewin'

 

[Easycreeper]

Sorry for the delayed response.

I used Wyeast Belgian Abbey II for mine. I was quite happy with the results.

Thanks! Since you used WY1762 and @biochemedic used WLP500, I may wait to see if I can get hands on one of the private collection/seasonal strains or maybe WY1214. You know, just to mix it up a bit.

Wish I could compare the three when I get mine done, but it wouldn't make much sense because of process differences.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

La Fin Du Monde clone rolling along.

 

[HawleyFarms]

Decided on brewing mine as a cranberry lambicky as advised if crabapples aren't in season. Went out and checked the crabs still clinging to my trees and decided they just won't do. Have my recipe set to go just need to order my yeast. Not sure yet if I am going to start fermentation with a clean yeast on cranberries then rack off of fruit into a carboy with a lambic blend, or ferment on cranberries for the duration using only a lambic blend. Or maybe just ferment solely with the lambic blend, then rack onto cranberries a couple months before bottling.

 

[Auger]

La Fin Du Monde clone rolling along.

Love that beer.

 

[b-boy]

Anyone have a good Bavarian Weizen recipe as a starting point?

I found a few recipes online, but they are lower alcohol versions. I'm looking for more punch. Maybe an Imperial Weizen?

It is Christmas after all.

 

[biochemedic]

Anyone have a good Bavarian Weizen recipe as a starting point?

I found a few recipes online, but they are lower alcohol versions. I'm looking for more punch. Maybe an Imperial Weizen?

It is Christmas after all.

I'm out doing kid activities at the moment, but when I get back on my desktop PC, I will PM you some recipe info and ideas from the book. I have a saved message that I had sent to a prior participant who didn't have the book....

I would say bumping the gravity up a bit would be fine (and the book recipe even suggests as much too...)

 

[Auger]

Bump, lets see if we can get one more for the Dunkel!

 

[HopHeavy]

Looking at sunny and low 60s here Sunday. My brewing is tied to the weather, so I am stoked. Going to do a RIS as I only have about 12 pack left from last winter's run. I intended to pilot a 6-7ish stout for the Christmas beer next month. Now I am thinking I will spice both and let us see what happens.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

I'll say this the wort for the tripels I made was pretty dark probably that cone of pinocello sugar a pop.

 

[Easycreeper]

Alright, gentlemen, the amber malt needed for the caramel quadrupel is in the oven. 2+ weeks to let the malt mellow and to build up the starter and this brew will be on its way!

Any suggestions on the water profile to use? Right now, I'm looking at the Chimay and Rochefort profiles being built from distilled water. First time for water chemistry here...

 

[Easycreeper]

Made the toffee this morning. This is about as "deep reddish brown" as I can get it without burning it (had to boil some water in the pot afterwards to get the rest off of the sides when it was done, hence the bubbles):

 

[biochemedic]

Made the toffee this morning. This is about as "deep reddish brown" as I can get it without burning it (had to boil some water in the pot afterwards to get the rest off of the sides when it was done, hence the bubbles):

It's been a few minutes since I made the Caramel Quad but that looks like I remember!

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

That looks awful.. you should send it to me along with some ice cream... for disposal.

 

[HopHeavy]

It's been a few minutes since I made the Caramel Quad but that looks like I remember!

Wait... What?

 

[biochemedic]

Wait... What?

It's an expression... I think its a Southern thing I picked up when I lived in Charlotte... Ironically, it intends to mean that it's been quite a while....

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

This is sort of like how 'Bless your heart' is southern for 'F&&k you and the horse you rode in on'.

 

[bobeer]

Made the toffee this morning. This is about as "deep reddish brown" as I can get it without burning it (had to boil some water in the pot afterwards to get the rest off of the sides when it was done, hence the bubbles):

Looking good! Can't wait to taste the finial product!

 

[HopHeavy]

It's an expression... I think its a Southern thing I picked up when I lived in Charlotte... Ironically, it intends to mean that it's been quite a while....

Oh! Like my brother when he says "just down the road a piece" he means a 2 hour drive.

 

[b-boy]

My family is from Appalachia.

Anything over an hour is "a far piece" (pronounced fur piece). Under an hour is "a piece".

Either way, you'll be "Madder'n a wet hornet" when you realize they weren't talking about a 2 block drive.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

Rochefort is awaiting pitching Tripel Karmeleit is mashing.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

And Golden monkey tribute is doughing in. Once all 5 finish fermenting I'll rank them to decide on my recipe for the big version.

 

[Auger]

I need to make some time to brew before I forget how....haven't brewed since October due to a new baby in the house. I've been doing plenty of research though...hit up Earth Eagle Brewings in Portsmouth, NH last week, about half of what they had on tap were gruits. Very interesting stuff.

 

[HawleyFarms]

I need to make some time to brew before I forget how....haven't brewed since October due to a new baby in the house. I've been doing plenty of research though...hit up Earth Eagle Brewings in Portsmouth, NH last week, about half of what they had on tap were gruits. Very interesting stuff.

Congrats on the newborn. Somehow I haven't found time for anything but a cider in all of February. Put 5 brews under in January. Hoping to at least do a Blueberry blossom mead tonight and a saison tomorrow night. Have this beer planned for the end of March as long as all goes to plan.

 

[Auger]

Bumping this up to see if we can get one more to brew the Wiezenbock, otherwise if no takers, it can go to @HopHeavy 's brother if he's still interested and no one has issue with that.



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 )

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

No issue on my end. First 2 of the tripels finally made it into serving kegs.. 3 more to go.

 

[Easycreeper]

Brewing the quad this morning. 8.5 gallons of wort collected at a measured pH of 5.47. This is going to be a long boil... Just after hot break:

OG to follow once the caramel is added and final volume reached. Looking at around 87% efficiency so far based solely on the collected wort. Hope everyone likes alcohol...