Guate Brewing

[Curtis2010]

Oh and on the RJ how about some of it in secondary mostly for aroma?

I'm planning to add RJ tea to secondary for color and flavor. Not sure how adding just the dried flowers to secondary would work out. The flowers are normally boiled and steeped to make the tea. You might try steeping some in some beer fist to see what happens.

 

[Curtis2010]

Another idea on Guate ingredients from the "Peppers in Beer" thread here:

This thread gives me some ideas, we have a delicious pepper here in Guate called "Chile Coban". Small red pepper normally sold smoked. Great flavor (I use them ground as a seasoning a lot) and not overly hot. Great smoky pepper taste. Not sure if they are available anywhere else. But a Chile Coban Porter sounds like a fine idea!

What base beer styles have you guys used for your pepper flavored beers?

 

[rappyfreak]

@ Curtis, great info on Transcargo, will definitely use them to get my cornys, CO2 tank and maybe my grains? totally up for the meeting around Sep 25th, lets do it!

By the way found a place that has great beer called Nueva Deli, it is close to las Americas in zone 14, not cheap/not expensive, they have:
- La Trappe: Blonde, Dubbel, Trippel, Quadruppel (Freaking awesome trappist beers! expensive, Q50 for a 355ml bottle)
- Tucher: They have a Ubersee (ok, not great) and a Doppelbock I think (love it), about Q23 for a 750cc bottle and a Helles Hefeweizen, nice!
- Erdinger: They have the traditional Weizen and a Dunkel, very nice at about Q30 per 750cc bottle
- Brooklyn Lager and EIPA
- Baltikas: the 6 is a dark that is not so bad, a bit acidic to my taste but not bad
- Estrella Damm: gluten free beer, not bad for GF
- Mahou Dark: Meh!
and a few others I cant remember, definitely worth a visit.

 

[Curtis2010]

...

I haven't tried cloning it because, as I've told anyone who insists I do, If I wanted gallo I'd go to the store and get some. The one local light beer I don't mind getting from the store is cabro reserva, which is the way cabro was made about 10-15 years ago, less corn than regular cabro, and the hops cover up what little is left of the corn; other than that, moza and moza gold are ok, more so if mixed 1:3 with cabro reserva....

Yes, I prefer to brew stuff which I cannot buy, but "rifraf" is in Chicago so maybe he is longing for a little taste of home.

Good info on Gallo, maybe he can use that to come up with a clone recipe.

Also, for any one who has not done the Gallo brewery tour it is certainly worth the effort whether you like Gallo or not.

I've tried Cabro but not the Cabro Reserva, will have to look for that next time I'm in the City.

 

[rifraf]

That's exactly it. I would never brew Bud Light but a taste of home? Absolutely. First thing I go for when I get off the plane is Gallo and Pollo Campero. Total small world, but one of my good friends at work recently married a Guatemalan girl, she feels exactly the same way and looks for Gallo every time she walks into major beer stores. You can find it every now and then in the states but it's called "Famosa".

 

[Curtis2010]

...totally up for the meeting around Sep 25th, lets do it!
...
By the way found a place that has great beer called Nueva Deli, it is close to las Americas in zone 14 ......

Great find on the beer! I will definitely check that out -- if you happen to go back and can get the street address then let me know. Are they near the Obelisko roundabout or further down Las Americas? I have not found many interesting imports in the City, but like I always tell people....anything you are likely to want is somewhere in Guate City -- it just may take 6 months to find it! I often just give up an order whatever it is, but I know its there somewhere!

My plan for my next couple of beer ingredients orders is to order the ingredients minus the base grains or extract and then use DME from Distribudora Caribe. This cuts WAY down on shipping weight and cost.

The evening of the 25th works for me. What time works for you and pacaya? I have also yet to find a bar in the City that has a really interesting beer selection, but I keep hearing rumors, do you know of anywhere?

 

[pacayaforhops]

Nueva Deli: 3 Av. 17-05 z.14 Edificio Casa Alta, Local 103
I could swing by on the 25th after 8:00 but only for an hour or 2, I have a lab class at college on wednesday and need to write the previous week's report for wednesday, which'll take me about 4 hours. On the up side, I just bottled about 3.5 gallons worth of my IPA, so I could bring a couple for you guys to take home.

 

[Curtis2010]

Nueva Deli: 3 Av. 17-05 z.14 Edificio Casa Alta, Local 103
I could swing by on the 25th after 8:00 but only for an hour or 2, I have a lab class at college on wednesday and need to write the previous week's report for wednesday, which'll take me about 4 hours. On the up side, I just bottled about 3.5 gallons worth of my IPA, so I could bring a couple for you guys to take home.

Show up with hombrew -- that's even better! Unfortunately, I don't have anything that's ready to go right now, but I will be happy to buy you a couple of beers.

Do you know the bar "Cheers" in Z10? Its on Calle 13 across the street from Apartementos Las Torres (near the "Holiday Inn"). Does that work for you guys?

 

[rappyfreak]

The only one I have ready is a raspberry wheat I made for the wife if you want to try it, other than that one I will not make you suffer the others I have ready, don't really like them much.

The 25th works fine for me, didn't know Cheers was still open! We could also go to Rattle and Hum as they have Brooklyn beer there if you want, otherwise ok on going to Cheers.

 

[Curtis2010]

The only one I have ready is a raspberry wheat I made for the wife if you want to try it, other than that one I will not make you suffer the others I have ready, don't really like them much.

The 25th works fine for me, didn't know Cheers was still open! We could also go to Rattle and Hum as they have Brooklyn beer there if you want, otherwise ok on going to Cheers.

Yes, Cheers is still open -- I think they had some kind of internal squabble a few months back, but were open last time I was in the City a few weeks ago. But, either place is fine with me.

And by all means, bring along some home brew! I've got some mead brewing, but doubt it will be anywhere near ready by then, but it might be drinkable at least. I will at taste a sample before I leave and if it is palatable I will bring some along.

Pacaya: any preference or suggestions?

 

[pacayaforhops]

As far as location, anything in the zona 10, 13, 14 or even 9 (except for the kind of place that instantly comes to mind when someone says zona 9) area, seeing as how I work in zona 9 (once again, not in that kind of place).

I don't mind mead being young, I'll chuck it in my closet along with my flanders red and let it age until fall next year. I would also not mind a raspberry wheat, my dad had me make a witbier, which I don't mind getting into once in a while. Heck, anything's good as long as we don't go blind (I mean you XL).

 

[rappyfreak]

I love witbiers and Belgian blondes and trippels, those are my favorites right now. I was in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago visiting my dad and we went to a place called Avenue Pub, they had a buttload of beers on tap, maybe around 50 and then around 75 bottled beers. I could only try about 6 before I gave my dad the keys to the car LOL. I tried a nice barleywine, a nice porter, a nondescript witbier, a pear cider, Sierra nevada pale ale, a fruity one I cant quite remember. I also bought some beer for the house: a sampler of Abita beers (liked the Jockamo IPA and the restauration ale), some Blue moon pumpkin ales, really nice and my favorite while I was there: The Blue Moon beligian wheat AWESOME!

 

[Curtis2010]

As far as location, anything in the zona 10, 13, 14 or even 9 (except for the kind of place that instantly comes to mind when someone says zona 9) area, seeing as how I work in zona 9 (once again, not in that kind of place). ...

OK, well why don't we go with "Rattle & Hum" then -- its a bit more interesting than "Cheers". Work for you guys?

 

[polkaholic]

New at this site.not sure how to post from phone. Im looking for a clone recipe for a cream ale called six point sweet action.

 

[rappyfreak]

Works for me!

 

[pacayaforhops]

Works out just fine.

 

[Curtis2010]

New at this site.not sure how to post from phone. Im looking for a clone recipe for a cream ale called six point sweet action.

Polk, you posted to the "Guatemalan Brewing" thread. One of the guys on here might have a recipe, but you will probably have better luck on another thread.

Good luck.

 

[Curtis2010]

Works out just fine.

OK, Sept 25th, 8PM, Rattle & Hum it tis. El primero reunión de "Cerveceros C-4" !

Geez, 8PM that's almost past my bed time! Here in the jungle when the sun goes down its almost time to go to bed...sun comes up...wake up. In the City with all the light and noise, I get my sleep patterns all screwed up.

 

[Curtis2010]

...I just bought some natural RJ a few days ago:

Oh, and another bonus of brewing with Rosa Jamica -- it helps with head retention. I was reminded of that today when I opened some RJ tea which I had carbonated as an experiment...almost turned into a pink foamy geyser!

 

[rappyfreak]

So we are still on right guys? Curtis I can pick you up at your hotel if you want no problem.

 

[rappyfreak]

My name is Rodrigo by the way

 

[pacayaforhops]

Yep, we're still on, the good news is I don't have a lab report to turn in this coming week, so I can stay later. I'll be bringing a sample of my dark IPA for each of you.

I believe this might be of interest to Curtis, I just swung by D Caribe a couple of days ago and they're still out of DME with no ETA on the next batch, amber LME can still be had for Q64 per 3.5 kg in a gallon container.

If it's done by then (which it should) we might bar hop to this place a couple of blocks away, which should have my first commercial offering, I'll let you know how it turns out on tuesday to add to the suspense.

 

[Curtis2010]

So we are still on right guys? Curtis I can pick you up at your hotel if you want no problem.

Yes, still on! I'll be staying in Z10 not far from Rattle & Hum so will just meet you guys there. Might take a ride back though.

Oh, and I'll be the old gringo with buzzed hair and beard -- both at least 50% grey now. Wearing some flavor of tropical print shirt. Of course if there are a bunch of other old cruisers from the Rio there that won't help you much, but I don't tend to see them at Rattle & Hum.

Will PM you both my Guate cell phone number.

 

[Curtis2010]

Yep, we're still on, the good news is I don't have a lab report to turn in this coming week, so I can stay later. I'll be bringing a sample of my dark IPA for each of you.

I believe this might be of interest to Curtis, I just swung by D Caribe a couple of days ago and they're still out of DME with no ETA on the next batch, amber LME can still be had for Q64 per 3.5 kg in a gallon container.

If it's done by then (which it should) we might bar hop to this place a couple of blocks away, which should have my first commercial offering, I'll let you know how it turns out on tuesday to add to the suspense.

Later? I'm an old fart -- 9 PM is my usual bed time! OK, maybe just this once...

Will check in w/ D Caribe and see what they have next week. I talked with them a few weeks ago about the logistics of shipping to the Rio and they were fine with that...call 'em up place an order, deposit payment in their bank account, and then they ship with Cargo Express or similar. Given their less than convenient location (I would have spent hours finding it without a cabbie) shipping to your locations might not be a bad idea either.

I assume that the DME/LME's they have are just some generic light color?

Wow, commercial offering...I'll be sure and keep a safe distance from you in case Gallo decides to have you taken out!

I have a few friends here in Guate with bar/restaurants who have asked me about brewing for them, but I have not wanted to hassle with it.

 

[pacayaforhops]

I'll see if I can leave work early, if not I'll get off at 7:45 and swing by.

My job's further away from me than D Caribe, driving over to pick stuff up is no problem, the problem is they've been out of stock on DME for about a year now. The DME is light color, but the LME is dark; my all extract IPA I'll be bringing over, came out at just under 20 SRM using 10.5 pounds of it for 5 gal, it has a slight toast to it with lots of caramel, not really what I'm looking for when I'm making pale ales or lagers (though it might be just what I need for porter, stout, bock, dunkelweizen or altbier; a man can't live off dark beer alone, I need my wheat beer, my kolsch, my lambic, etc.).

As far as my commercial offering... if it's carbed up by today I'll deliver tomorrow. It's an Extra Strong Bitter with more brown sugar in it than I'm used to using, it came out very nice though, considering the amount of sugar it has; low hops (willamette to about 10 IBU, which seems non-existent to me after drinking my IPA for a couple of months), slight diacetyl, thin body, very drinkable for a 6%+ ABV beer, the nose is reminiscent of irish cream; I'm hoping it'll be a big hit with the ladies, specifically the ones not used to drinking beer " 'cause it's too bitter".

I don't believe I need to worry about the brewery taking exception to my offering, it's been sold (the brewery, not my recipe) to a mexican company (most likely modelo) and the beer is coming out in the bar's name, not mine; so I believe it's all good for now. The bar's owner is planning on expanding to having 3 craft brews on tap at any given time, for now we're considering a 2 keg each brew, 1 keg every 15 days; we'll leave 2 kegs free in case any of them become more popular than we anticipated so we can ramp it up to 1 keg a week. It sounds like a fun project ($ too), so hopefully it'll take off.

 

[Curtis2010]

Cool. What's the name of this bar serving craft brews?

Just kidding about the time: 8PM is fine. (Yeah right, just started thinking about shutting down my PC and getting ready to go to bed as I wrote this...time: 8:05!).

 

[rappyfreak]

Yeah, it will be good to hear about this bar! See you guys later tonight. I will be the tall guy with curly brown hair, jeans and a white and blue striped polo shirt.

 

[pacayaforhops]

Ok... so we went, saw & conquered, I had a blast; the most fun I've had in years: made some friends with similar interests, took a look at the venue that'll be selling my brews, figured out where the cooler with the keg will be sitting at, found out there's a place they can get the kegerator at, had some decent beer at a bar for a change, made plans to swap some yeasts, hopefully I'll run into you guys on saturday at the bar, hopefully the 1 keg will last that long (seeing as how thursday and friday are the busier days at the bar), on the other hand if it doesn't; I'd know I have a winner.

All in all a very fun & interesting night, I hope we can repeat the experience every few months, hopefully with a growing community.

 

[rappyfreak]

I agree Wayne, it was a blast, really enjoyed myself. Just bought a banjo burner to be able to boil faster, should be here by next week. We will definitely go ahead and swap yeasts. Will measure my stuck fermentation today and if still not lower than 1020 I will need your yeast urgently! Cheers!

 

[Curtis2010]

Me too, had a great time, will definitely have to do that again.

But oh man...you guys kept this gringo viejo up w-a-y past his bed time and forced him to drink lots of good beer -- at least that's the story I'm going to tell my GF when she arrives in a few hours. I'm still not fully recovered, so I hope she's really tired from traveling and doesn't want to go out drinking!

Wayne: I was not paying very close attention when we went to the second bar last night, can you tell me the name of the bar and the street?