April 11, 2011 - The carbonation is much better now. It is a very nice beer.
Quotes: "I hope you wrote down everything you did when you made this beer, because I want you to make this one again." Stefanie
California Common Ale(Cali B) 5.7% ABV
OG- 1.050
FG- 1.006
Bottled April 24, 2011
Tasting notes: April 29th, 2011 - Just 5 days after bottling, I gave the Cali B a go. There was a little bit of a head so carbonation is on its way. Not quite blended enough. Good with food but by itself it shows its greenness by being a little bitter (almost aspiriny). I will wait another week.
May 4th, 2011 - I accidentally poured hot water my arm. Stefanie wanted to take me to the hospital and all I wanted to do was drink beer. After putting some beer in the freezer, I chilled my arm until it was sufficiently numb. I poured the beer and drank heartily. The bitterness is still present but it has subsided considerably. Not sure why it has a bitter back end: Bad Yeast? Northern brewer hops? Hot tap water with sanitizer? The use of my sanitized brewing pot as a bottling bucket? Longer boiling time?
I definitely like the buzz bomb better but I'm not pouring this one down the sink.
May 20th, 2011 - I'm down to the last few bottles of Cali B and it actually became quite tasty. Stefanie originally liked the Buzz Bomb better but now is quite fond of the Cali B. She also thinks I am quite paranoid about my beer and its results. I have to learn to wait a little longer before I drink/sample the product but then again, I do like the evolution the beer takes in such a short time frame.
Wah Wah Sassafras Red
Brewed May 10th, 2011 OG 1.050
Bottled May 22nd, 2011 FG 1.004
5.8% ABV
Tasting Notes: First tasting: May 28, 2011. Second tasting: June 1, 2010
Third tasting: June 5, 2011: I really need to stop worrying about my beer the first week after bottling. It's amazing how much it changes over a span of a week. There are some slight estery flavours in the beer but it has subsided considerably. I was going to say it seemed a little thin but I think I am going to hold off judgement for a little bit. The big thing will be the party next week where probably more than just Stefanie and myself will be drinking it.
June 12,2011: The Irish Red was a huge success at the party. John, the host said: "The best beer of the party." People liked the Cali B but it has turned into more of an IPA than a Steam Clone. The Wah Wah is an easy drinking beverage that can be a little dangerous at a party.
Honey Basil Ganglia
Bottled: June 9th, 2011 FG: 1.006
ABV: 4.6%
June 16, 2011: A week after bottling, this beer was very easy to drink. I gave a half glass to Stefanie without telling her it was the HBG, and she drank it without incident or even talking about it. After she realized it was the new beer, she commented how it did not have the new beer taste.
June 23,2011: A light (with some body), smooth beer. This would definitely impress the masses. I took it over to a friend's place and the first thing he said was: "Rickard's White". I find that kinda odd because that beer has coriander and orange in it, but if that's what he tastes, that's what it is to him.
Citrus City Ale:
Brewed: June 19th, 2011 OG: 1.046
Dryhopped: June 28th, 2011
Bottled: July 5th, 2011 FG: 1.007
ABV: 5.1%
An excellent beer. Smooth and easy drinking with a nice hint of citrus. Even though I dry hopped, the maltiness is a little stronger than the hops. When I get a larger mashtun, I will be making a 10 gallon batch of this tasty beverage. Five gallons between the two of us (plus giving away beer away) seems to not last longer than 3 weeks.
Cerefina Blond Ale
Brewed: July 12th, 2011 OG: 1.054
Bottled: July 20th, 2011 FG: 1.012
ABV: 5.4%
July 31st, 2011: I know it has only been 11 days since bottling so I won't be too critical. It is definitely not as smooth and light as a normal Blonde. It has a grainy and heavy taste to it. The Vienna malt does indeed have a toasty flavour to it. I can't imagine using any more than 30% of Vienna Malt to any of my future brews. I might not even use it again because I think biscuit malt is a better tasting barley grain. I will report back in a week and update this post because it will change.
August 6th, 2011: My friends really like the golden ale. One thought it was a lager and really, that's what a golden ale is supposed to be: Light and easy drinking.
Mickey Mango Wheat Ale
Secondary: August 7th, 2011 FG: 1.010
Bottled: August 16th, 2011 FG: 1.009
ABV: Unknown, but 5.5% plus
I added mango in the secondary and it's fermenting again and I didn't do a hydrometer sample of the enhanced secondary so I will not really know the exact ABV. All I know is it is going to be somewhat over 5.5%. I hope the yeast doesn't blow off all the mango flavour.
Bottled on Tuesday. The beer looks a little slimy in the bottles, hopefully that doesn't affect the flavour.
August 29, 2011: Stefanie took the beer to a breakfast party and it was a huge hit. Apparently, everyone loved it and one guy who is looking into homebrewing wants to be my friend.
Vanilla Porter/ Mint Porter (one / five gallon batch respectively)
Bottled: Aug 30th FG:1.012
ABV: 5.2%
These beers turned out quite nice. I only had a small tasting sample of the Vanilla Porter (the rest is saved for the tasting party) so I'm not sure how it is evolving but when it was tasted, it received rave reviews. The best one came from a professional chef who loved the beer's creamy nature and it's coffee notes
Triple Split (British Bitter/Ginger/Pumpkin Pie Spice) Brewed: September 17th OG: 1.050
Bottled:
