#18 - 'TISTHE Saison...

Second of the X-Mas beers made this week. Trying a new tilt on a saison for this one; and an awesome name. Going with a traditional saison recipe, adding some piney hops to see what that does. Also a dash of honey for some added festiveness. Pine hops are also supposed to boost the festiveish flavors. Wrestled with the idea of some citrus hops but decided to stay true to my original concept. Again, this is not like any traditional X-Mas ale; no spices, etc. Recipe below:

http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/83971/oremus-saison

OB - 16, OG - 1.065

Interested to see how this one comes out considering how not good the pear saision was...

X-Mas Quad Racked...

Racked to secondary, already fairly clear, some hint of the toffee flavors I wanted. Like the color, not a ton on the nose. Just hoping it's full...

Pine IPA Bottled...

Bottled the first of the IPAs mde with the new style additions. Little bitter, some flavor, tons late. This one also had a healthy dose of dry hopping. As with the wet-hop that we made this summer I forgot to account for water losses from the hops - Needless to say, this one was smaller than usual. However, came out clear, big pine nose, and slick resiny mouthfeel. 

FG - 1.009, FB - 7.2, ABV - 6.6%

Could be good...

#17 - D-T-Q XMAS Ale

First of the two non-traditional X-mas ales. Again, I like X-mas ales. I'm just getting tired of the spiced sameness of most of them.

Should be ready just in time for X-mas. Despite my previous post stating that one was going to be a traditional ale, I have scrapped that idea. No cinnamon, nutmeg, or anything going in this one. I made that decision while staring at the spice rack in the brewing store today. Now - It's a festive Quad! Should be malty, cooked some sugar and malt (per Radical Brewing) to try and get some toffee flavors, some honey added, and just a pinch of corriander. Aiming for rich, warming, and ABV. Recipe below:

http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/83975/d-t-q-xmas

OB - 17.6, OG - 1.072, EG - 1.081

Next up is the X-mas saison...

Pacific IPA Bottled...

Not sure what to make of this one. Was very, bready / malty as it was going into secondary. That has faded and it's been replaced by...well, not much actually. Not a lot of hop nose or flavor on this one. At least it doesn't taste malty...

FB - 6.8, FG - 1.008, CABV - 6.47%

Coffee Dubbel Bottled...

Bottled the coffee dubbel tonight (amongst other things). Clear as can be, taste is smooth, lots of coffee, full, hint of roast. So far happy with this one. Official tasting next week...

FB - 7.5, FG - 1.01, CABV - 6.66%

Christmas Time...

Planning on making two beers in the spirit of Christmas this and next week. I enjoy XMAS beers. I'm not crazy about them. But I enjoy them. Personally, I think Thirsty Dog's 12 Dogs of Christmas is one of the best. Of the two planned one is going to be traditional(ish), the other is not.

1. Belgain yeast, malty, spiced
2. High-hopped saison

The first with have all the usual ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. The second is outside the box. Choosing hops with strong pine flavor and aroma. After the pear saison came out we'll see how this one does...

CASIMOOK IPA Racked...

6 days post brew racked the new IPA to secondary. Great hop aroma and taste, still some bitterness. There was a ton of yeast / hop sludge at the bottom of the bucket that smelled great. Happy for the first time ever using this yeast. Plan is to do two dry hop additions; one today and one on Monday. Wish I had a hop bag, but, oh well.

Unfortunately, I now have 6 beers on secondary in the closet. Plan is to bottle three next week. The Old Bruin(ish) continues to grow some funk on top and ferment away...