OR/WA Group Brew v3.0

[gplutt]

Nice work Curtis. That looks like a messy brewday but it's good to break some things in. I might send my batches down in no chill cubes which will be a first for me. I've been waiting to make sure they don't have to sit for too long but can kick that batch out sometime this week. I like the idea of giving the roselare more to work with though so I think it'll be a good option.

Gplutt, are you still planning on heading down next weekend? I don't think I'm going to make it so if I could hand my 10 gallons off to you, that would be great. If that doesn't work, I think I can get them down to Portland later in December, although someone might have to pick them up at my friend's place.

I'm still planning on it. That reminds me, I should probably start getting addresses and time frames together...

 

[gplutt]

edited for change of plans, again.

 

[explosivebeer]

I'm hoping to brew tomorrow night after work. I'll let you know when it's ready to pick up. I think the no chill cubes will fit in a box that's out of sight on my porch so you can come by whenever is convenient.

 

[explosivebeer]

By the way, gplutt or whoever else is in the area, I'll probably be heading to the Big Wood festival at Brouwers on Thursday if anyone wants to meet up.

 

[gplutt]

What time is that? I'm dropping off that beer on thursday...dammit..

 

[explosivebeer]

It looks like the madness starts at 11am: http://brouwerscafe.blogspot.com/

 

[gplutt]

If I get back in time I might be up for it, it'll probably be kind of late, though..I wonder if Kilted has a place I can just drop everything off at...get down early, lunch at the HUB and back to Seattle in time for Brouwer's...my life is so hard...

 

[explosivebeer]

That'd be a long day but more power to you if you're up for it. And if you change your mind and want to make the trip another time, no worries. That's a lot of miles in one day.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

SWMBO works from home, and my bro-in-law and his SWMBO are staying with us for the week so someone would probably be home if you just want to drop off. Let me know though so I can warn everyone.

 

[gplutt]

SWMBO works from home, and my bro-in-law and his SWMBO are staying with us for the week so someone would probably be home if you just want to drop off. Let me know though so I can warn everyone.

If I could, that would be best for me. Get in and get out early.

 

[explosivebeer]

Hey Guys,

I'm in the middle of my batch right now. Gplutt it'll be in the box on my porch tonight or by 5am.

KB I'll pick up my cubes the next time I'm down. Please give them a quick rinse for me.

-B

 

[gplutt]

Sounds like a plan. I'll be there tomorrow, hopefully early! What time are you going to be going to Brouwers, by the way?

 

[explosivebeer]

I'm probably going to be there in the early afternoon, go through as many as beers as I reasonably can, go get some dinner and watch some football, then either head home or meet back up with some friends for a second session at Brouwer's around 9:30 or 10.

 

[explosivebeer]

For the record, I just want to say it's scary as **** to put boiling wort into no chill cubes.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

So gplutt...are you stopping by today? I didn't get a chance to check here yesterday and didn't see any PM's. Need to warn the wife if I can. I don't have anything ready to do the transfer over. Is it OK to just drop the beer off and I'll get you your containers at another time???

Hoping you have some way of checking HBT...There is a chance my wife will not be around some this afternoon. Kinda wished we would have solidified a drop of time, etc before you took off. She's going to leave a note on the door and hopefully you can just drop of the batches...Sorry man...poor planning.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Hey guys...again my apologies for not planning a little better on the drop off. The contents of the two cubes and the carboy are now in the barrel. The cubes and the carboy are all getting a quick oxy bath and will be kept safe until you guys can get them.

I think right now we should have about 35gallons in the barrel (if I did my math right). Evil and Chester are the two remaining batches that have not been put in. Chester I know you brewed. You can drop off whenever you're ready. PM me and will set up a time. Evil, where you at brother!?!?

 

[gplutt]

Planning was probably more my fault than anybody elses! I saw your post yesterday about it PROBABLY being okay to go early...so I did. Thanks for taking care of the carboy, I won't be missing it anytime too soon, figured I'd pick it up later.

 

[gplutt]

I'm probably going to be there in the early afternoon, go through as many as beers as I reasonably can, go get some dinner and watch some football, then either head home or meet back up with some friends for a second session at Brouwer's around 9:30 or 10.

I did stop at HUB for lunch, so I may be ready for some more food by 930 or so, we may show up there.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Just a quick update...within probably less than 90mins of adding the new batches the airlock was again brought back to life. I'm thinking the addition of the unfermented batches was a good choice on this one.

 

[explosivebeer]

Great to hear the dropoff and addition went well. Thanks again for taking my batch down there gplutt and for cleaning those cubes KB. There was about 12 gallons between the two but very little trub left in the kettle so I'm sure there was a fair amount of sediment that dropped out as they cooled down.

On a side note, Brouwer's was ridiculous. The highlights were definitely the Hair of the Dog beers. They always do very high quality stuff but the Matt and Bourbon Fred were spectacular.

 

[gplutt]

I went about 730 or so....got a seat around 745..man that place always packs em in during their festivals...I only had one Hair of the Dog beer, Bob, which was excellent. I probably should have tried a couple more from them. Had a Cantillon Geuze, and then had a Full Sail Bourbon Barrel Porter (it was on cask...and I have a weakness for cask conditioned beers).

 

[TXCrash]

How's she coming along Brian?

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Finally, someone has asked and I get to go pull a sample....

OK, there is some nice funk on the top layer as expected. Can't see a whole lot, what with a small hole and it being filled just about as much as it can be. It's sitting at about 1.012 right now.

Color is pretty nice looking dark brown with a little red tint to it. Honestly thought it was going to be a bit darker, but I like it. There is some earthy/horse blanket in the nose as should be expected. Great body to this beer. I feel like the first batch was a little thin, this one seems to have improved. And I think I'm liking the flavor on this one better too. A little more mellow. Not so tart and in your face, but it's there up front. And what I really like is the roasted malts come through in the end. They allow the sour/tart to hit you first, but then come back and hit you at the end asking you to come back for more. I have an issue with some sours being only sour and having to choke them down. This one keeps begging me to come back for more.

 

[EvilTOJ]

Excellent, glad things are coming along nicely.

 

[TXCrash]

Thanks for going through the hardship of checking ;-) Good to hear the beer is turning out well.

 

[explosivebeer]

Hey Kilted,

I just realized it's been awhile so I thought I'd see how this batch is coming along and if you have a date in mind to drain and possibly re-fill the barrel.

 

[TXCrash]

Ya know, I was thinking about the batch the other day too. Definitely in for helping re-fill!

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

I haven't done a darn thing with this bad boy since February, but I can take one for the team and pull another small sample. My thoughts on this one is to brew up the base beer again and then blend. I still have a TON of the first version and I'm sorry to say I just can't get into it. I think blending will help.

As for draining I was thinking an October date again. Giving it a good year to be int he barrel. No thought on refilling...and not sure I'm game for that. If anyone else wants to take the barrel I'm more than happy to help get it out of the basement.

 

[explosivebeer]

I haven't done a darn thing with this bad boy since February, but I can take one for the team and pull another small sample. My thoughts on this one is to brew up the base beer again and then blend. I still have a TON of the first version and I'm sorry to say I just can't get into it. I think blending will help.

As for draining I was thinking an October date again. Giving it a good year to be int he barrel. No thought on refilling...and not sure I'm game for that. If anyone else wants to take the barrel I'm more than happy to help get it out of the basement.

Cool. Let us know how it's changed. And yeah, the previous beer has an interesting popcorn character that I'm not entirely digging. But blending can pull that down and let other things come through. Really, for me though, it needs much more tartness.

As for the barrel, I've got a barrel rack set up (this link may or may not work: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?pid=49437563&id=10716036&ref=album) and could fit another barrel on there if there are no other takers. But if someone else can use it, by all means, go for it.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Just pulled a sample and going back over the notes from the last taste. The color on this is really amazing to me. In certain light I swear it has a rich cherry red, in others just a dark brown. But really nice.

The roast has backed off a bit but still says hello on the finish. There is a nice tartness (not sour, but tart) on the front end. Maybe a little lemony. But there's also a bite to it that doesn't feels a little off. I think that's what is wanting me to blend this with something. Or maybe there's a battle between the roasted malts and the bugs? Jury is still out, but I am enjoying this one better than the first batch.