2219 replies to this topic

[skillionaire]

Hi,

Homebrew is cool. Here's a half mash Red and I did on Saturday - well I was working most of the time, but I could smell it. Mmm. Used Fuggles hops with a touch of the New Zealand green hops - this is an IPA.









Lookin' good so far. Pitched a yeast from one of the breweries down the road (Thanks Jez!) so has a bit of lag on the uptake, but holding good temp now.

Cheers,
Nik

[B4TT]

what temp you trying to keep your brew around for 1st stage fermentation?

[skillionaire]

Hi, 18-20 mate. Cheers, Nik

[B4TT]

Cool, I kept mine at similar temperatures for the European Lager Yeast but have since been told that I will get a better flavour at a lower temp as the European Lager yeast can ferment at temps as low as 12 degrees !.. crazy

[skillionaire]

Hi, Lager is definitely more suited to a cold ferment. Even lower than that to make real lager. That's why outside of the big boys, noone on the micro scene makes a proper commercial lager. Not many of the Aussie 'Pilsners' are Pils at all - mostly Ale's. Cheers, Nik

[buzzda]

Hobgoblin = YUM!!!



very well balanced flavours, I don't get the chocolate, just sweet slighty fruity, malty, toffee flavour. leaves a nice bitter but sweet fruity aftertaste!

[skillionaire]

Hi, Cool tasting notes mate. You're really getting into this, huh? Sounds like all the things I quite like in a beer. Where would you rate the bitterness? Quite high? (For reference, we consider VB to be sweet as coke) Cheers, Nik

[robt]

Richo likes Swan light

[buzzda]

Cheers, yeah, actually have started enjoying trying to isolate the different flavours etc, for quite a while it was just either good or bad. Could help some of the newer beer "connissuers" (?) we have recruited here. TBH I haven't drunk a VB *starts dry heaving* in over 5yrs, so don't really remember what it tastes like... apart from shit. The Hobgob isn't very bitter... if you like really bitter beer then this would prob be more like L,L&Bitters.

[skillionaire]

Hi, Haha, good description! Cheers, Nik

[buzzda]

I lied.... twice! I had 3 Grand ridge beers not 2, and not all GR beers suck. This one is bloody nice! Strong malty flavour, creamy texture, Nice warming effect (prob from the 8.5% A/C).

Also tried a Little Creatures Bright Ale earlier. Not alot going on there, just a nice clean refreshing beer. along the lines of the pale ale but without bitterness.

[Richo]

latest buy

Some random triple, double pale ale (11.5%), 2 different styles of lambic (I think there gonna f**k me up) and a couple of other random ones

[buzzda]

hahaha the Brew Dog co sure come up with some good names The double pale ale sounds niiiice!

[skillionaire]

Hi, The Zeitgeist is surprisingly to my taste. I know they've had it dubbed the 'commercial' beer of their collection, but I don't really see it. Not over here anyway. Great dark lager. You know how I feel about the double. So slick. Some of the old traditional ones just aren't moving me anymore! Might have to crack a Leffe or something to keep check. ...meanwhile I've been drinking Carlsberg all week (imported). Cheers, Nik

[Richo]

Trashy Blonde - smells quite malty and a little pasionfuit ?? strong malt and bitterness (shouts pale ale) to start which goes into a light (but lingering) bitterness and a fruit taste (can't think of the fruit) Puts me in mind of Temple's offering of a pale ale, but lighter and fruity....er Its really nice (man these guys can brew), but I'll skip it next time (temple.. have I mentioned temple in the past ?) ps. Now that it has warmed up a little, the fruity flavour is kicking in even more which has mellowed out the bitter

[Richo]

Zeitgeist - Im smelling a lot of chocolate, it looks like I have poured a coke into my glass

The main flavours I'm getting is coffee and burnt chocky, which isn't something I normally like. I'd like it to be a higher % than 4.9% for something extra form it (Nik, I want that Paradox ?? again in small amounts, not this)

I think I have a few more years of beer drinking ahead before I will enjoy this style

[skillionaire]

Hi, Red grabbed me a couple of special edition Paradox from IBS, dropped it round yesterday. I just remembered now, it's down at work. I might grab it and the camera and have a taste this afternoon. Cheers, Nik

[Richo]

Wasn't it paradox we had at MDSC ? just the little sampler of it ?

[skillionaire]

Hi, Yes it was, but this is a special release of that beer. It is actually a smoke beer, and I am currently being challenged. I know it's good, but I just don't like smoke beers. I honestly just walked over to the sink to tip it, but I've returned with the glass half full still. It's nothing like the evil smoke beers I've had, but it's hard to get the thought of a wet winnie red out of my mind... Don't have my chord up here, so pics to come tomorrow! Cheers, Nik

[buzzda]

C'mon ladies... HARDEN THE fork UP!! Smoked beer is gooooood!!!