Beer Thread V2?3?4?

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by nik-

hahahaha, you can always tell a Trappiste beer by the ####ty pours. No matter how hard I try, whenever I have a Westvleteren, that stuff touches the glass and it's like BOOM, HEAD EXPLOSION.

I wouldn't say trappiste beers pour badly. They pour how they pour, with an explosive head. It's a sign of good bottle conditioning.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Can you get Red Racer?

Spoiler!

They were carrying it over the summer but again the ESB and the IPA are d listed. :/ There was a summer taster pack that had the pale ale in it, thought it was really really good.

[Flash Walken]

GreenLantern, or any albertans, do you get 'Ninkasi' brewery at all in Alberta or Saskatchewan?

Really top notch example of the hop forward westcoast brews. If you don't get this particular brewery in stock, you should suggest it.

http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/rock-y...eriale-return/

We're getting that in Vancouver, it's a fantastic fall/winter season release.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

There is a serious contention on how to pour a beer.

For example, a good IPA will have outrageous head on it if you pour it less than delicately. We are conditioned to believe this is bad form. Ask the head brewer of Sierra Nevada, kings of IPA, about how to pour, and he will recommend an 'aggressive pour.' By aggressive, keep the glass flat, tip beer, let it slosh around and wait for things to even back out.

I still don't do it because generally when I am pouring a beer, I want it now, but, the theory is sound. Bigger head, more CO2 stays in the beer.

Interesting. I was going to post about hop slayer ipa. It would fizz out the bottle as i removed the cap, and even my best pours look like the orval one on this page. Tasty though, just have to be patient. Sigh!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Anyone have any recommendation for some strong scotch ales? I prefer 'em "wee heavy".

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Anyone have any recommendation for some strong scotch ales? I prefer 'em "wee heavy".

The big rock scotch heavy? My only experience with those. Pretty good

[Hemi-Cuda]

This became my staple while I was down in Mexico. So much so that I bought a 6 pack when I got back to Calgary, thanks to Sobey's awesome beer selection

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Anyone have any recommendation for some strong scotch ales? I prefer 'em "wee heavy".

I used to love the Big Rock Scottish, but just the other week I found Old Chub. Don't let the fact that it is in a can fool you. It is the best Scottish I've had yet.

http://brew.oskarblues.com/ob-beers/...ound/old-chub/

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Anyone have any recommendation for some strong scotch ales? I prefer 'em "wee heavy".

Ever had Innis & Gunn? 6.6% ABV. It comes in quite a few different flavours, but I'm partial to the original oak aged beer.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Thanks guys, I'll give those a try if I see them.

Also, must recommend North Coast Brewery for pretty much any of their beers, but the Old Stock reserve is an exceptional barrel aged brew. My go-to is also their Brother Thelonius abbey style ale.

http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/index2.php

[missdpuck]

I'm drinking a Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat. I'm probably drinking it too quickly to really judge. It's been a rough day. I think if you liked the Apple Crisp you will like this.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Thanks guys, I'll give those a try if I see them.

Also, must recommend North Coast Brewery for pretty much any of their beers, but the Old Stock reserve is an exceptional barrel aged brew. My go-to is also their Brother Thelonius abbey style ale.

http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/index2.php

If you're into stouts, their Old Raspuitin is pretty good.

I like that Thelonius. One of the first 'craft' brews I ever bought.

[missdpuck]

I'm enjoying Full Sail IPA. Maybe I'm enjoying it too much, but I t like it more than Fat Tire.

It was on sale for 6.79 I thought that was cool.

The local grocery also started carrying Flying Dog Brewery Old Scratch Amber Lager. I like that, even with the huge roaches on the label (here we call them palmetto bugs)

If for some reason you are in Mt Dora, Fl you must stop by the Publix Market on 441 and the 19/Eustis bypass.

Unbelievable selection of single- bottle beer. It'll get you through whatever odd crap you might run into up there lol.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

If you're into stouts, their Old Raspuitin is pretty good.

I like that Thelonius. One of the first 'craft' brews I ever bought.

Where do you find this in Calgary, because I'm wanted to try their Imperial for a while

There's no listing on LiquorConnect

[btimbit]

Brewsters is on the last step of obtaining licensing to sell in liquor stores. They have some of my favourite local beers but I hate the restaurants so I can't wait

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Brewsters is on the last step of obtaining licensing to sell in liquor stores. They have some of my favourite local beers but I hate the restaurants so I can't wait

This would likely include their beer revolution brands which are quite tasty.

[GreenLantern]

A friend made a homebrew kit from Paddockwood, a Brown Ale. I think it was a bit cold to start during the fermentation process so some of the yeast fell out early, but overall it has a great taste to it. It was our first batch so definitely a learning curve, but overall we did good. Sanitation is the most important thing.. now we have an English Ale we are starting tomorrow night.

Here's a label I made up for fun:

Spoiler!

I used this guys website: http://www.beerlabelizer.com/


Cochin Ocean being a reference to Jackfish Lake for anyone familiar with the area.. turns out Boathouse Brewery exists already, so we are going to jail.

[jofillips]

ok its calgary sun but i read about some really good news for small Albertan brewers - apparently they are lifting or getting rid of the minimum amount you need to brew to make it legal to sell!
This is apparently a big barrier to entry in this market and should help with the growth of brewers!

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by jofillips

ok its calgary sun but i read about some really good news for small Albertan brewers - apparently they are lifting or getting rid of the minimum amount you need to brew to make it legal to sell!
This is apparently a big barrier to entry in this market and should help with the growth of brewers!

That's awesome news.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

A friend made a homebrew kit from Paddockwood, a Brown Ale. I think it was a bit cold to start during the fermentation process so some of the yeast fell out early, but overall it has a great taste to it. It was our first batch so definitely a learning curve, but overall we did good. Sanitation is the most important thing.. now we have an English Ale we are starting tomorrow night.

Here's a label I made up for fun:

Spoiler!

I used this guys website: http://www.beerlabelizer.com/


Cochin Ocean being a reference to Jackfish Lake for anyone familiar with the area.. turns out Boathouse Brewery exists already, so we are going to jail.

Something I learned after my first couple of brews is that it's difficult to add too much yeast.

Next time, if you added one packet, add 2. It won't do anything bad to your beer, it just helps make sure it reaches the full fermented potential. You might get more of the flavours that the yeast produces in your beer, but if you're concerned that the yeast isn't doing it's job fully, you might be tasting those already.

Having learned that lesson, I 'over pitch' my yeast nearly every time. The more the merrier.

And if you really want to geek out, over christmas I would suggest making two batches in a week. The first batch, something not very hoppy, as hoppy beers leave oil on the yeast that is difficult to remove. When you go to move it from the fermenting bucket, start your next brew and add that wort to the bucket you just transferred beer out of. You should have a nice yeast cake on the bottom from the previous batch that is healthy and ready to go.

Yeast, apparently, develop in the fermentor to be more efficient at consuming their environment, so that second batch you put on the original yeast should likely ferment faster and better than the first batch, with more consistent flavours. If you're having problems with coolness, this should really help, as the jumpstarted yeast factor will raise the temperature of the wort quite quickly.

Also, if you think you've got a stuck fermentation (it's not really where it should be after a couple of days), just add more yeast and see what happens.