12 Beers of Christmas - 2023 Edition

[Rish]

But I'm not a very good candidate for this.

Neither am I but here I am!

 

[JAReeves]

One of my first beers, my sister’s opinion was: “congratulations, you made Corona!”

It was an American Pale Ale.

 

[user 338926]

One of my first beers, my sister’s opinion was: “congratulations, you made Corona!”

It was an American Pale Ale.

Did you slap her?

 

[JAReeves]

Did you slap her?

She was right. It was a terrible beer and a great learning experience.

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

Bumping this back up to see if we can fill the slate - 4 beers left.

 

[passedpawn]

My gruit is mashing at this very moment.

 

[passedpawn]

Getting ready for the boil. Gruit: not your normal boil additions. Orange peel, star anise, chamomile, bay leaves, rosemary, juniper berries, allspice.
Not sure how this thing is going to end up If it's an abomination, I'll just rebrew.

 

[Wrendelar]

Is this what’s left?

2) Spiced Cherry Dubbel
3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock
6) Saffron Tripel
12) Abbey Weizen

 

[passedpawn]

Getting ready for the boil. Gruit: not your normal boil additions. Orange peel, star anise, chamomile, bay leaves, rosemary, juniper berries, allspice.
Not sure how this thing is going to end up If it's an abomination, I'll just rebrew.

View attachment 821550

Well, the hydrometer sample tasted and smelled awesome. Bunch of stuff going on there, but the star anise (black licorice) allspice (cinnamon/clove) and orange peel stood out. I was worried the rosemary would be too much, but no problem. When the hydro sample is tolerable, I know the beer won't be a dumper. Inoculating with an abbey yeast.

Beer is expected to be 8% +

Hope you all are having equal successes.

 

[thetick]

Well, the hydrometer sample tasted and smelled awesome. Bunch of stuff going on there, but the star anise (black licorice) allspice (cinnamon/clove) and orange peel stood out. I was worried the rosemary would be too much, but no problem. When the hydro sample is tolerable, I know the beer won't be a dumper. Inoculating with an abbey

That sounds awesome!

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

Is this what’s left?

2) Spiced Cherry Dubbel
3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock
6) Saffron Tripel
12) Abbey Weizen

That’s correct - those are the 4 remaining.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Is this what’s left?

2) Spiced Cherry Dubbel
3) Spiced Dunkel Weizenbock
6) Saffron Tripel
12) Abbey Weizen

Looks like.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Hey Y'all - the Juniper Rye Bock recipes calls for a Danish lager yeast. Any suggestions?

 

[passedpawn]

Hey Y'all - the Juniper Rye Bock recipes calls for a Danish lager yeast. Any suggestions?

With all the flavors going on in there, I'd just pitch my goto lager yeast (S-189).

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

With all the flavors going on in there, I'd just pitch my go to lager yeast (S-189).

But that's Swiss!! Well, I like that idea because it's dry. What do you like about it? Also, how many packages for a 7% ABV lager?

 

[passedpawn]

But that's Swiss!! Well, I like that idea because it's dry. What do you like about it? Also, how many packages for a 7% ABV lager?

I use it for light pilsners, so not your brew. Still, I'd use it because it's very dependable and clean. Not sure of the alcohol tolerance, best look into that. It won't add anything additional to your bock. If you want something interesting, you could pitch a Kolsch yeast and ferment 55-60F. Strain: 2565 for Kölsch | Yeast & Cultures by Wyeast Labs

OTOH, in the crazy "gruit" I brewed for this event, I used an abbey yeast because I wanted the yeast contribution. A little horse blanket, a little hay, some odd homey aroma like socks left in the corner of a locker.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

I use it for light pilsners, so not your brew. Still, I'd use it because it's very dependable and clean. Not sure of the alcohol tolerance, best look into that. It won't add anything additional to your bock. If you want something interesting, you could pitch a Kolsch yeast and ferment 55-60F. Strain: 2565 for Kölsch | Yeast & Cultures by Wyeast Labs

OTOH, in the crazy "gruit" I brewed for this event, I used an abbey yeast because I wanted the yeast contribution. A little horse blanket, a little hay, some odd homey aroma like socks left in the corner of a locker.

Typical Floridian I might just go with the good ole W-34/70.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Hey Guys, for the Juniper Rye Bock, do you think it's ok to run the juniper berries through my grain mill? Or just grind them with a mortar and pestle?

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

I have no experience with them, so I’m not much help, but a very quick google search advised against grinding them as the pit adds an astringent flavor…

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

I have no experience with them, so I’m not much help, but a very quick google search advised against grinding them as the pit adds an astringent flavor…

That makes sense. I did see articles that said the berries would get embedded in something like a coffee grinder, and be hard to clean out. I reckoned the mill would be easier to clean. I'll use the morter and pestle. Thanks!

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

Given the question from @shetc this am / yesterday - I pulled my last bottle of the 2022 12 BOC from the fridge and its last years version of the Juniper Rye Bock. And it’s quite tasty! Cheers!

Still 4 slots open if anyone wants to join us…

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

I hope I do as well as last year.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

By the way, in the past, has there been a virtual beer share after the beers have been delivered?

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Just pounded 8 oz of juniper berries - the smell was, um, substantial

 

[Beekeeper]

I would like to participate if possible, could pick up the

12) Abbey Weizen​

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

You got it @Beekeeper

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Last question before I brew: Are people sticking with the 90 min hop additions, or using the more typical 60 min one?

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

 

[passedpawn]

Last question before I brew: Are people sticking with the 90 min hop additions, or using the more typical 60 min one?

I only do 60 minute hop additions, just out of habit. Occasionally I will boil longer, but I don't add hops until the 60m mark.

 

[passedpawn]

Hey Guys, for the Juniper Rye Bock, do you think it's ok to run the juniper berries through my grain mill? Or just grind them with a mortar and pestle?

I busted mine up with a little spice mill I have. No problem at all. They are a little bitter (I taste everything), but I doubt it'll be an issue.