Skunky Brewing

[MannyEdwards]

I'm pretty sure this has to go in the General Beer Discussion section. I got started brewing at about 3:00 this afternoon, and about when I started lautering, Watson (my Jack Russell terrier) scared up a skunk in the barn. The first indication was his hysterical barking. The next subtle hint was a wave of skunky muskness thick enough to make your eyes water. Or mine, anyway. And that was only the first of a half-dozen like it.

This stuff was so dense it permeated the concrete patio. Now, 5 hours later, the entire house -- hell, the entire valley -- reeks of skunk. My skin is going to smell skunky for days. I'm convinced my beer is going to taste like year-old Heineken.

Maybe I should have pitched a funky Saison yeast to mask it, instead of US-05. We'll know in a few weeks.

 

[CapnHook]

Before I read your post, I was thinking, "Hmmm...Skunky Brewing. That doesn't sound like an auspicious name for your home brewery.

 

[JosephN]

You know, you might not ever be able to tell anything. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[MannyEdwards]

Before I read your post, I was thinking, "Hmmm...Skunky Brewing. That doesn't sound like an auspicious name for your home brewery.

Man, you are so right. And yet, the name is hanging around here like the in-laws.

 

[MannyEdwards]

You know, you might not ever be able to tell anything. Let us know how it turns out.

I'm afraid to taste it. But I'll be glad to send you a sample.

 

[JosephN]

So do you keg or bottle?

 

[MannyEdwards]

So do you keg or bottle?

Both.

 

[JosephN]

It would be crazy if the yeast ate all the stink that might have went into it and gave you a totally different, much desired final produce.

 

[MannyEdwards]

It would be crazy if the yeast ate all the stink that might have went into it and gave you a totally different, much desired final produce.

Yeah, repeatability would be a challenge. I'd have to start raising skunks.