12 Beers of Christmas 2022 Edition

[TBC]

Is that Weizenbock recipe correct? When I punch it in to my software, I'm seeing an OG in the 1.065 range, which is WAY off from the listed 1.083. Do I just need to scale it up or something? My efficiency isn't that bad...

For those who have brewed it before, is it super spicy? Looking at old threads, I've seen talk about using less spice in some of the other recipes.

i think I brewed that last year. It’s a Xmas beer so big isn’t bad! i‘m gun shy about using star anise because I think it’s overpowering and I didn’t use it last year but it was missing something and I probably should have put some in.

 

[TBC]

Looks like we are full!

Update

1) Caramel Quadruple @j1laskey
2) Spiced Cherry Dubbel @jerbrew
3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock @BAF
4) Juniper Rye Bock @CaddyWampus
5) Fruitcake Old Ale @GoodTimeCharlie
6) Saffron Tripel @wetmk
7) Christmas Gruit @GoodTruble
8) Honey Ginger IPA @TBC
9) Crabapple Lambicky Ale @Funky Frank
10) Gingerbread Ale @4_Sons_Brewing
11) Spiced Bourbon Stout @JAReeves
12) Abbey Weizen @Hoppy2bmerry

 

[j1laskey]

Let the games begin! Thanks for running another year @TBC. November sneaks up on us fast so start planning those beers! Can’t wait to share !

 

[GoodTruble]

How do we exchange addresses?

And how far out is "too far" to brew the gruit? I feel any sooner than August would be too soon.

 

[user 263363]

This will be my 2nd year participating and I can’t wait! It’s great having all these beers during the holiday season.

 

[j1laskey]

How do we exchange addresses?

And how far out is "too far" to brew the gruit? I feel any sooner than August would be too soon.

I brewed the Gruit 2 years ago and I think I brewed it in July

 

[GoodTruble]

Nice. I would prefer to brew it early, but didn't want it aging 'too long.' In the bottles.

 

[TBC]

How do we exchange addresses?

And how far out is "too far" to brew the gruit? I feel any sooner than August would be too soon.

I will collect the addresses in October and then send them all out to the participants.

 

[BAF]

i think I brewed that last year. It’s a Xmas beer so big isn’t bad! i‘m gun shy about using star anise because I think it’s overpowering and I didn’t use it last year but it was missing something and I probably should have put some in.

My confusion was more around the gravity looking way lower than it should. Seems like something is missing from the grain bill there.

 

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Missed a few posts recently but glad to see we are full.

I will probably brew the fruit cake old sometime in the summer. As I believe experimentation is encouraged, I’ll like hydrate the dried fruit with rum or bourbon similar to my actual fruit cake. Thinking of adding some fenugreek too for a “maple” component. Would anyone object to these changes?

 

[GoodTruble]

@GoodTimeCharlie - Approved. =c)

And yeah, I'm going a bit off-script with the gruit. Just not sure which direction yet.

 

[jerbrew]

If we get a full list to ship, that will be a first I think at HBT. And if that happens, I will be sending out something special and commemorative. I know I know, I shipped super late last year, and I shipped a different beer the year before. But I shipped a Christmas beer and I’m brewing this one as a first draft next weekend. I’m pretty excited about it. My master’s is over as of this week and I have my life back until August to brew some beer.

 

[JAReeves]

If we get a full list to ship, that will be a first I think at HBT. And if that happens, I will be sending out something special and commemorative. I know I know, I shipped super late last year, and I shipped a different beer the year before. But I shipped a Christmas beer and I’m brewing this one as a first draft next weekend. I’m pretty excited about it. My master’s is over as of this week and I have my life back until August to brew some beer.

Congrats on the MA!

 

[user 263363]

I sort of have a 2 parter here.

First: for anyone watching the thread that has done the Juniper Rye Bock are the juniper berries part of the IBU calculation or do IBUs come solely from the hops?

Second: Since we are all home brewers here and experimenting should can be expected to a degree, would anyone mind if I took this beer the braggot route? I’m really thinking the juniper and rye would play well with an earthy variety of honey like avocado blossom or buckwheat. Feel free to let me know your thoughts.

 

[jerbrew]

I sort of have a 2 parter here.

First: for anyone watching the thread that has done the Juniper Rye Bock are the juniper berries part of the IBU calculation or do IBUs come solely from the hops?

Second: Since we are all home brewers here and experimenting should can be expected to a degree, would anyone mind if I took this beer the braggot route? I’m really thinking the juniper and rye would play well with an earthy variety of honey like avocado blossom or buckwheat. Feel free to let me know your thoughts.

When I did the Juniper Rye Bock, I didn't get any additional bitterness from the Juniper berries. A whole lot of flavor, unique flavor, but no bitterness to speak of

On your second question. I don't think anyone would mind some experimentation. Mosher's whole premise of the 12 beers of Christmas is to think outside of what is a Christmas beer and explore the possibilities. SO my vote is go for it and I can't wait to try it.

 

[user 263363]

When I did the Juniper Rye Bock, I didn't get any additional bitterness from the Juniper berries. A whole lot of flavor, unique flavor, but no bitterness to speak of

On your second question. I don't think anyone would mind some experimentation. Mosher's whole premise of the 12 beers of Christmas is to think outside of what is a Christmas beer and explore the possibilities. SO my vote is go for it and I can't wait to try it.

Thanks!

I am going to the LHBS Monday to get ingredients for a trial run. I’m going to split a 2 gallon batch with different honeys to see how they work.

 

[JAReeves]

The stout has been in a bourbon barrel for a few months and I made the spice tincture today. Progress!

 

[GoodTruble]

I'm considering Wyeast Forbidden Fruit yeast for the Gruit.

https://wyeastlab.com/resource/q3-private-collection-belgische-zomer-featuring-forbidden-fruit/
Also considering Wyeast 3724 (Belgian Saison). Thoughts?

 

[user 263363]

I'm considering Wyeast Forbidden Fruit yeast for the Gruit.

https://wyeastlab.com/resource/q3-private-collection-belgische-zomer-featuring-forbidden-fruit/
Also considering Wyeast 3724 (Belgian Saison). Thoughts?

As a fan of experimentation, I think that Forbidden Fruit sounds interesting!

 

[GoodTruble]

Ordered the final ingredients for the Gruit today. Hoping to brew it at the end of the month. Probably going with Forbidden Fruit yeast, but LHBS guy says he brews Gruit every year (one of his favorites) and recommended a traditional English yeast.

Waiting to compare different spice blends before making a final decision on that.

 

[GoodTimeCharlie]

I’m about to brew my beer in a week or so too

 

[user 263363]

Working on my test batches for the braggot. I have avocado blossom honey and what’s called Bakers Select. I’m very interested to see how this turns out!

 

[TBC]

How is everyone making out? I’ve been slacking on here life’s been busy. I plan on going on an ingredients run within the next week.

for those of you that use beerlabelizer.com for labels I received an email that they are 50% off for the month. I have to get the boss to come up with a theme for this year.

If for some reason you can’t keep your commitment let me know so we can try to find a replacement.

 

[user 263363]

How is everyone making out? I’ve been slacking on here life’s been busy. I plan on going on an ingredients run within the next week.

for those of you that use beerlabelizer.com for labels I received an email that they are 50% off for the month. I have to get the boss to come up with a theme for this year.

If for some reason you can’t keep your commitment let me know so we can try to find a replacement.

So far so good. Thanks for the heads up on the labels! I always need help in that department for sure.

 

[JAReeves]

The stout is in the bourbon barrel. I am hoping to move it to a keg for carbonation in the next week or two. I will be doing my blending before it hits the keg.

 

[GoodTruble]

Final ingredients shipped today. Should brew the gruit at the end of the month.

 

[wetmk]

Delivered this morning.

 

[wetmk]

...for those of you that use beerlabelizer.com for labels I received an email that they are 50% off for the month. I have to get the boss to come up with a theme for this.

I'm already stressed since I haven't bottled a beer in over 20 years. I refuse to worry about labels. Don't be surprised if my selection shows up with painter's tape and a sharpie.

 

[GoodTruble]

Yeah, I print b/w labels on a laser printer only because it's faster than handwriting 20-30 labels.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I'm already stressed since I haven't bottled a beer in over 20 years. I refuse to worry about labels. Don't be surprised if my selection shows up with painter's tape and a sharpie.

At least with a tripel, bottle conditioning is ordinary… I always feel a little sad when I open a bottle or can of homebrew and it’s flat. Some of my own swing tops aren’t lined up jut right and have been flat. It embarrassing when it happens with company or HBC meeting.