First batch just gets better and better

[dancingbarefoot]

I brewed my first batch in late October, and sampled the first bottles the first week of December after almost four weeks of bottle conditioning. It tasted pretty decent at the time, but NOW it tastes even better.

Went back home to Alaska for Christmas vacation, so I had to leave my beer in Texas for three weeks. Once I got back, I popped open a bottle and it's soooo smooth!

Now I just need to decide what to make for my second batch.

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

Wow! That's what I call Patience!

What was the first batch?

 

[McCall St. Brewer]

Wow, you are onto something. Most of us have trouble resisting the temptation to drink up all our beer before it is really ready. Alaska, eh? Isn't it kind of cold there right now, though?

 

[dancingbarefoot]

Well, I HAD to be patient, 'cause I couldn't carry that much beer on the plane. It was tough, though!

Alaska's home sweet home for me, so I think the winters are normal. Although it's a lot warmer in Anchorage (where I'm from) than Fairbanks (-28 F today WITHOUT wind chill). When I went to college in Minnesota, the winters there were much worse than Anchorage's winters.

The first batch was a stout extract kit. I thought I screwed up because it didn't bubble much in the fermentation stage - at least not vigorously - but it turned out great anyway. But I'm not sure what to make next. Something nice and malty... hm.

 

[ajf]

Four weeks without any sampling?
Leaving Houston for Alaska at Christmas?

I'm sorry. You need therapy.

Congratulations. You have more patience than I do.

-a.

 

[Lounge Lizard]

Woohoo!

My stout (2nd batch for me) has only been in the bottles for three weeks, and is getting better all the time. I like hearing stories like yours.

Right now I'm making a hoppy pale ale. It is hard to decide what to brew, isn't it? I'm sure you will come up with something...

 

[El Pistolero]

I've got a dunkel-weissen that I bottled 11/13...my fourth batch. I've been kind of avoiding drinking much of it because it has an almost overpowering banana aroma. Finally, in the last week tho, the banana aroma is almost totally gone...two months after bottling, and now the dunkel is spectacular.

Hey DBF, we should get together down at the Gingerman sometime and trade a few brews.

 

[dancingbarefoot]

Four weeks without any sampling?
Leaving Houston for Alaska at Christmas?

I'm sorry. You need therapy.

No way! Alaska's the best damn place on the planet.

It is hard to decide what to brew, isn't it?

Yes, especially since I know one batch'll last me for a while. I'm leading towards a nut brown ale or a red. Hm... choices, choices!

I've got a dunkel-weissen that I bottled 11/13...my fourth batch. I've been kind of avoiding drinking much of it because it has an almost overpowering banana aroma. Finally, in the last week tho, the banana aroma is almost totally gone...two months after bottling, and now the dunkel is spectacular.

Hey DBF, we should get together down at the Gingerman sometime and trade a few brews.

Banana? How does that happen? Glad to hear it improved with time, though. I can't imagine many things grosser than a fruity beer.

Can you believe I've never been to the Gingerman? I keep meaning to. I just have the stout to trade so far, though.

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

Why choose? Brew them all!
I suspect that in time you will learn to appreciate all sorts of different flavours you never thought you would. The banana is typical of the weissen. I'm enjoying one right now!

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

The banana is typical of the weissen. I'm enjoying one right now!

Hmm.. Can you make a heffeweissen daquiri?

Just kidding.

 

[El Pistolero]

Banana? How does that happen? Glad to hear it improved with time, though. I can't imagine many things grosser than a fruity beer.

You might not like a hefe then.

Can you believe I've never been to the Gingerman? I keep meaning to. I just have the stout to trade so far, though.

You need to go. I went for the 1st time myself yesterday...lots of different beers on tap (and bottles) to try out, and a nice collegial atmosphere.