Saturday, November 23, 2013

Great Places to Drink Beer - San Deigo

Last weekend Sith@Heart and I went to San Diego to escape winter, however briefly.  Home of the double and imperial IPAs, San Diego is a hop lover and craft beer enthusiasts dream!  Here are some photos of us at Hamilton's Tavern.



Monday, November 11, 2013

Craft beer lounges in Vancouver

I am very enviousness of the great craft beer scene in B.C. C'mon Alberta, let's get on it! http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Tasting+lounges+about+give+Vancouvers+flourishing+craft+brewers/9151469/story.html

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Home Brew - Pumpkin Ale

Once again the Jack O'Lantern season is upon us, and that means making some pumpkin beer.  This year I thought I would try for an ale as opposed to a stout.  I also decided to throw in some of my smoked malt to try and give it a subtle smoky flavour under the spices and pumpkin.  I guess we will see how it turns out.

Roasted 3.5 pounds of pumpkin "meat" at 400 degrees for 20 minutes (note - next time, roast longer)

Steeped in 5.5 litres of water at 150 degrees for 30 minutes:
- the pumpkin
- 2 oz. crystal malt (40L)
- 5.5 oz pale malt
- 2 oz smoked malt (see my smoked porter recipe)

Bring to boil:
- added back some of the pumpkin
- 2.8 kg amber malt extract
- 1 oz Willamette hop pellets (4.7% AA)

After 50 minutes:
- 1 tsp Irish Moss
- .5 oz Willamette hop pellets

After 55 minutes:
- spices: 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp cinnamon, 3 allspice berries, 1 clove

fill to 19 .5 litres (approx 5 gallons)

Pitch Wyeast American Ale II (1272)

I will let it ferment for a week then rack to the carbuoy for another week or so