The new must-have glass!

And speaking of IPAs, it appears that Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada have helped design the "prefect" IPA glass from Spiegelau.  Looking forward to receiving (hint hint) and test driving one of these babies!   Too bad you can't get Dogfish Head in Alberta anymore.  Boo!

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/chris-schryer/ipa-glass-comes-to-canada_b_4036908.html

Tool Shed part 2 - Star Cheek IPA

Another solid beer from Calgary's newest brewery (unless that honour goes to Vagabond?)  This time I tried their IPA.  It is a very hoppy beer, but not as hoppy as West coast IPAs.  It has a deep amber colour and slightly more malt flavour than most IPAs.  I really enjoy this beer.  You should try it!

Tool Shed Brewing Co.

Huzzah!  Finally, a new craft brewery has opened in Calgary.  I finally got to taste the work of Tool Shed Brewing Co.  Specifically, I bought a six pack of their Red Rage.  Unlike Village Brewery, this beer is not boring.  Red Rage has a nice, bold mix of malt and hops.  Definite notes of coffee, and a slightly smoky taste.  Fairly strong in alcohol (5.6%) and so has a dry finish.  If you are in Cowtown and you see their beer be sure to check it out.  I am looking forward to trying their other brews.

Mapping the rise of (US) craft beer

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/06/idea-of-the-week-mapping-the-rise-of-craft-beer.html

Powell St. Brewery

A great story

http://globalnews.ca/news/573637/tiny-brewery-wins-canadas-best-beer/

Home Brew - Special Bitter

This batch of home brew was based mainly on the ingredients I had on hand, specifically Fuggles and Willamette hops and amber malt extract.  Rather than try and copy a recipe I used the general guidelines from Complete Joy of Home Brewing and used what I had.

Steep 10oz Crystal malt (40 L) at 150 for 40 minutes

Boil 50 minutes:
2.2 kg amber DME
.5 oz. Fuggles (US) hop pellets (4.2% AA)
1oz Willamette hop pellets (5.6% AA)

Boil 10 minutes:
1 tsp Irish Moss

.5 oz. Fuggles (US) hop pellets (4.2% AA)
.5oz Willamette hop pellets (5.6% AA)

Fill to 5 gallons.  Pitch Wyeast London Ale (1028)


I will rack into the carbuoy after a week

Thanks to iRob, Karate Hottie and G$ for their help

After 1 week: racked to the carbuoy

After 3 weeks: bottled.  Added 1/3 cup of dextrose, 2/3 cups of light DME

Homebrew Tasting Notes

Pumpkin Stout:

I am quite surprised as to how strong the spice flavours come through, given how little was used.  I am quite pleased with how this turned out, although you can't really taste the pumpkin.

Smoked Porter:

Well smoking the malts worked!  The smoke taste is subtle, but it is definitely there.  I quite like how this turmed out.