Homebrew Belgian Tripel IPA

I now feel comfortable enough with my latest beer to write something about it.  I took a recipe found elsewhere on the Internet and slightly modified it to match what was available to me.

One difference from that recipe was an extra 1/2 lb of candi sugar because it was sold in 1 pound bags and I didn't want any extra sitting around.  The other was because I could not find Amarillo hops.  I semi-arbitrarily replaced them with U.K. Challenger (somewhat similar AA%) hops, which worked out fairly well.

Since I was borrowing equipment and was limited in what was available to me, I simply fermented for 3 weeks in primary (bucket).  I was able to get a separate bottling bucket from Tim when the time came, but in a fit of laziness ended up not using it and instead auto-siphoned straight from the primary into our bottles.  The result is a significant amount of sediment, but that has settled out nicely and with a careful pour will mostly stay in the bottle.

Finally, a note on carbonation.  I added priming sugar to the batch during the bottling process, but it has not seemed to kick it up much.  It remains a little flat even after 3+ weeks in the bottle.  Sadly, I suspect it will stay like this.  Fortunately, I have noticed very, very slight carbonation build up on the walls of the glass for the last couple bottles I have had even though no head forms.

My main theory for this issue is a lack of healthy yeast survival to this point, and the beer could have used additional yeast at some point.  3 weeks in the primary and a high ABV (estimated 10-11%, but I didn't take readings) might have tired them out.

In the end, there are things I would change, but the flavor is there.  This is definitely a very hoppy, high alcohol beer.  Even with its problems, it tastes good!

"Raging Bitch" to finally come to Michigan

Flying Dog's top-selling IPA can now be enjoyed in the Mitten!

Epic Beer Commercial

I tweeted this the other day when I came across it in my Google Reader:

Grow a Beard, Save the Planet

Budweiser wants men to stop shaving in the time running up to World Environment Day to promote water conservation.

Hat Tip: The Dish (Andrew Sullivan) at The Daily Beast.

Oberon Day

It just passed us, but Oberon dropped at midnight Sunday, going on Monday, and I was down at the release party here in Ann Arbor.  A Bell's representative was there, and purchasing any Bell's beer resulted in tickets that were drawn to win t-shirts and the like.  Unfortunately, I didn't win anything - I am not the King of Oberon for the next year, but I did get some bumper stickers and pins.  Also, what kind of party would it be without temporary tattoos?

St. Patrick's Day Open Thread

What are you doing today? Drinking?

I have had a Smithwick's, Harp, and Boddingtons at the bar in between classes + 2 bottles of Two Hearted while enjoying spring on the porch.

There will be more after tonight I'm sure.

Upslope Brewing Company

Another Brewery from my trip to Colorado, Upslope is the newest in Boulder.  It is located on the north end of the North Boulder area of town.  Being a little out-of-the-way the trip took a little while, but it was worth checking out.

Upslope is essentially located in what looks like a strip mall that is also home to a winery.  The taproom is very small and was standing room only while I was inside.  There was a large wall-size window that overlooked the production floor, and the door to the floor was cracked open, so the wonderful smell of brewing beer wafted throughout the room.  I sat at a counter in the rear that had various beer books and magazines on it, so I flipped through a couple issues of BeerAdvocate magazine while drinking my beer.

I tried their IPA, which was really solid, but nothing truly unique.  In fact, it was pretty standard.  However, Upslope approaches the microbrewery business a little different than many.  It isn't necessarily trying to make a unique beer.  Unlike most microbreweries that use bottles, Upslope cans their beer.  To some beer geeks this is a sin, but the reasoning for it is pretty neat.

Aluminum is an easily recyclable material, and it's opaque, so no light can get in to ruin the beer.  Also, bottles are much heavier than cans.  A bottle is around 40% of the total weight of a beer.  A can is much lighter and has a little give in it with denting.  These are the keys for Upslope, but why?

The answer: Upslope is making beers for people on-the-go.  Light weight, easily carried cans that can be consumed on the trail while backpacking, or enjoyed after going on a bike ride.  Upslope is there for active people, and that is really cool.

Related: Eco-Friendly beer drinking.