Day Two - Checkin them seals, checking them twice, gonna find out what needs to be replaced

 I realize it doesn't rhyme.

I'm checking the kegerator CO2 connections. My last batch went flat fairly fast so there's a leak in there somewhere. Yes, I do plan on replacing all the o-rings but if I can find a specific valve, or perhaps the diffuser, I need to know.

 

I have returned

 Just in time for me to be rushing around like a madman, I've decided it's been too long and I need to get back to brewing.

A lot will be coming soon.

I Don't Make Beer, Yeast Does.

I keep forgetting to do this but maybe you'll remember. The next time you brew try this little experiment. Before dumping the wort sample you use to take initial gravity put it in a sealed container. Once fermentation is complete taste both samples side by side. What flavor effect did the yeast have on the wort? What do you taste in one but not the other? You'll notice a huge difference between the wort and beer.
Let me know what you find and brew on!

Book Review - Ambitious Brew by Maureen Ogle

An interesting book. A little dry at times but there are very interesting facts about the US's brewing history. There's even some great looks into the politics of the past and how beer held an important roll in the shaping of our country.
It also has some insight into why the US is stuck on Budweiser. Adolphus Busch and company created it for the US not to be the cheap flavorless lager it is today but a light low alcohol beverage for the "capitalist on the go". It actually cost a lot more to make it at the time. I'm happy we Americans are slowing down a bit and enjoying our food and beer.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S

Real Irish lager from Ireland. Slainte!

Southern Tier 2xIPA

This is the best IPA that I've had in a long time. It beats 90 Minute from Dogfish Head, Stone Ruination, Bells Hopslam (waiting for the lightning and haters) , and even the Ohio brewed GLBC Lake Erie Monster.
 I picked up a sixer of this for around $10 at a local wine and beer shop off of 161 and Sunbury called Wine and Brew Emporium.  It's a double IPA so I was under the impression it might be a little more but I wasn't going to pay a Hopslam price. $18 for Hopslam, seriously Bells?
  It has a perfect blend of citrus hops and malt that finishes extremely clean. The 8.5 abv is diabolically hidden and leaves only a warmth that wrapped me in a cozy bed of hoppy goodness. This will be cloned! Until then it will be a staple in the kegerator and always recommended to anyone who favors the Pacific coast hop.
Seriously go get some before I clear the shelves!

Sinbrychoff - Baltic Porter

I picked this up at The World of Beer, in the brewery district, downtown Columbus. Porters* are among my favorite styles and I had never heard of this brand let alone it coming out of Finland.

It's a black ale with a very assertive dark chocolate and coffee aroma. Thick and creamy the taste is fairly sweet. It kind of reminded me of dark fruits like plums or raisons until it finished. As the last bit goes down the hints of coffee and roasted malts come out but too little too late. In my opinion it's a little too "fruity" and needed more of the roasted goodness I love in porters. The alcohol is hidden very well so be careful of the second round as it may sneak up on you.

I enjoyed it but wouldn't get it a second time. There are much better porters. Who might you ask? Smuttynose and Flying Dog are excellent choices.

* Porters are a dark ale that predates stouts and some would say that if it weren't for porters stouts wouldn't exist. A good example of a porter will have very little hop flavor or aroma, be very roasty, almost coffee-like, and very smooth going down. They'll go great with smoked foods like barbecue, prime rib and even chocolate cake.