12 Beers of Christmas - 2023 Edition

[GoodTimeCharlie]

So my Saffron tripel is coming along nicely. Question: the recipe says to add the saffron at secondary. I’m thinking of adding a couple of strands to each bottle instead. I think it’s mostly for color which should still convey. And that would leave the extra that I brewed w/o Saffron. Thoughts?

 

[GoodTruble]

Now the hard part Drinking bottled beer and saving the bottles. I should be bottling (from keg) in the next month.

View attachment 831154

The BEST bottles for re-using are Guinness Draught with the shrink wrap labels. They use no glue and just cut right off. Perfect bottle for re-use with 3 seconds of effort.

 

[kwilson16]

@Beekeeper16
Would you be willing to share the recipe that you used for Abbey Weizen? Looks really good.

 

[Beekeeper]

@Beekeeper16
Would you be willing to share the recipe that you used for Abbey Weizen? Looks really good.

This is what I began with, and just now reviewing my notes I made a subtle change in the grain bill to include just a hint of smoked flavour:
https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/1390919/abbey-someone-weizenOG: 1.045 FG: 1.011 ABV: 4.45% IBU: 9.92 SRM: 3.75
Danstar - Abbaye Ale Yeast

@kwilson16 I saw your messages only because I follow this thread. I don't know who @Beekeeper16 is, but maybe he also brewed an Abbey Weizen?

Online recipe has been updated to reflect actual brew. (I may want to make more of this!)

 

[kwilson16]

I added the 16 to your callsign accidentally. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the recipe!

 

[tdf]

I'm getting my recipe together for the Spiced Bourbon Stout. The base will be my american stout - mild Northern Brewer + Cascade should go well with the spice additions. I have a keg of it currently on tap so I will play around with the additions later today to get a preview of the flavors.

I usually brew 15 liter batches so my grainfather will be getting a workout - I'm targeting 30L to make sure I have enough to share and drink .

 

[Rish]

I set up a couple of test bottles of the Gingerbread Brown, one primed with sugar, the other with dark molasses (which is different than the recipe but consistent with gingerbread). I'll check it in a couple of weeks then get it in the bottles. Anyone have any input on priming with molasses? Does everyone dislike molasses in beer? Let me know.

 

[JAReeves]

I set up a couple of test bottles of the Gingerbread Brown, one primed with sugar, the other with dark molasses (which is different than the recipe but consistent with gingerbread). I'll check it in a couple of weeks then get it in the bottles. Anyone have any input on priming with molasses? Does everyone dislike molasses in beer? Let me know.
View attachment 831654

Molasses sounds intriguing.

RE: the Crabapple Lambic. My normal Crabapple supplier apparently had his orchards burn down in one of the gazillion California Brush Fires (he planted other varieties as replacements). I have been assured by another vendor at our local farmer's market that he'll have some in a week or so. I'm not happy with the secondary turnaround, but I will puree the crabapples minus seeds (if he comes through) so the flavor and sugar are accessible faster. Still planning on bottling last weekend in November.

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

I set up a couple of test bottles of the Gingerbread Brown, one primed with sugar, the other with dark molasses (which is different than the recipe but consistent with gingerbread). I'll check it in a couple of weeks then get it in the bottles. Anyone have any input on priming with molasses? Does everyone dislike molasses in beer? Let me know.
View attachment 831654

I’ve never bottled with molasses but as @JAReeves said it’s sounds intriguing! Let us know how it turns out.

 

[tdf]

Some photos from the spiced bourbon stout brew day:

 

[mjdonnelly68]

Some photos from the spiced bourbon stout brew day:


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Looks tasty. Thanks again for jumping in.

 

[Rish]

Taste tested the molasses vs. sugar primed gingerbread brown ale. Molasses smells good but has a strange aftertaste so going with sugar. Also learned I need to increase the spice tincture to get more of the gingerbread taste.

 

[kwilson16]

Cherry Spiced Dubbel is all bottled up. When is everyone planning to ship?

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

I’ll get the addresses out this week via email.

My plan was to ship the week of Thanksgiving.

 

[tdf]

I should be good to ship thanksgiving week too. The stout is in kegs and cold conditioning. I’ll add the spice tincture in a week or so.

 

[JAReeves]

I plan to ship after Thanksgiving, probably packing that weekend.

Checked gravity on the Lambic after the latest fruit addition and it is at 1.004. Should drop below 1.000 in the next week or two. Debating bottle conditioning vs. force carbing a keg and bottling. It's lightly pink, not heavily tannic, and tart-a mix of fruit and bug sours. It's about 8.5%.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

I'm on PTO for Thanksgiving week so I'll bottle and ship then.

 

[kwilson16]

I can ship by Thanksgiving also.

 

[Rish]

I got it in the bottles today. I'll keep an eye on it to see how it's going. Should be ready to ship by Thanksgiving or soon after.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

+1 for virtual beer tasting

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

Email just went out with shipping info… please check your email and PM me if you didn’t get it.

 

[passedpawn]

I got it.

 

[mjdonnelly68]

Email just went out with shipping info… please check your email and PM me if you didn’t get it.

Got it!

 

[GoodTimeCharlie]

I’m bottling this weekend. Will get shipped out soon after but likely after Thanksgiving.

 

[JAReeves]

Got the email, thank you for organizing!

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

 

[Rish]

I've never shipped beers before. Any recommendations would be welcomed...box size, packaging , etc. I'm using 12 oz long neck bottles. TIA

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

I've never shipped beers before. Any recommendations would be welcomed...box size, packaging , etc. I'm using 12 oz long neck bottles. TIA

Well, I'm a cheapskate as you can tell from my collection of boxes and roll of bubble wrap. I wrap each bottle with double thickness bubble wrap. Place 3 bottles in a box just big enough to hold all 3, and then stuff in more bubble wrap. Then seal the box with packing tape, on all edges. Other folks go much further.

The big deal, of course, is shipping. I have started using Shippo, which is cheaper than going straight to FedEx, etc. In fact, Shippo is just a label company - the packages are handled by FedEx, etc. but it is cheaper.

Last point, whoever you use to ship, if asked about the contents, do not say it's beer. The common thing is to say something like "yeast samples".

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Who eats lots of Pringles?

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

The original post of this thread has a link to another post with shipping instructions / suggestions. And agree on live yeast cultures, or as a friend of mine sends me, “Christmas Ornaments”. A bit suspect in July…