Pliny the Elder {14C Double/ Imperial IPA]
Pours an unbelievable red-gold (think egyptian) with an interesting oily sheen foretelling the abundant hop oils within. The white head has very high retention, big old bubbles 'til the end. Not sure if the perfect color and clarity is from keg conditioning or what but its beautiful. Very hoppy aroma, tending to piney. Initial very surprising sweetness given this aroma. Balance is perfect, extending into aftertaste. Hops flavor is really complex with many oil varieties blending in a smooth not harsh bitterness. This is a truly gorgeous beer.
Glad y'all like the Pliny. The combination of words you use to describe it makes it sound much better than what I think the beer is.
The in you face hops has subsided some from it's glory days. There's just a few pours let in the keg so I'm gearing up for the re-brew. Going to brew a Pale Ale and use some of the yeast slurry from that for the Pliny, forgo the 2nd dry hop in the fermenter and put 1oz each of Simcoe, Columbus and Centennial in the keg.
I think the sweetness your tasting is from the fact that my efficiency was WAY better that day than others. Came in at 1.077 instead of the projected 1.070. Like other times things like this happen, I just go "Huh" make notes and pitch the yeast. I could have use the BeerSmith dilution tool and made more beer, but I didn't want to mess up the hops.
Thank You for the kind words.
Naked Cat Brewery On Tap
Yazoo Sue Smoked Porter
Octoberfest
Le Petite Saison
Czech Pale Lager
A Toast to Big Fuzzy Russian Imperial Stout at 10%
Belgian Blond
Flower Power IPA
4 Kilts Clueless Belgian Strong
One Wort Two Yeast with Wyeast 2206
One Wort Two Yeast with WLP940
Shipwreck Saison
This one really surprised me because I wasn't sure if I was going to like it and I loved it.
In our early brewing days when we were buying bottles with free beer in them we got two IPAs and I can't remember which one it was but there was a piney resin to the bittering that I could not stand. It just stayed on the back of my tongue forever and was so potent that I thought I was never going to be a hop head.
Your bittering was smooth as silk on the Pliny and the piney flavor and aroma was extremely refreshing.
I would like to put both of these beers in our brewing schedule although I'm sure I won't do near as good a job as you did.
She is already on my mind this morning.......I know that she is at home waiting for me and I am already anticipating how quickly I can get home and have her. The thought of her is driving me mad right now because I know I cannot have her at this very moment.....
Oh boy, just the small amount I had recently is enough for me to drool. Ron, you had best prepare your tongue and taste buds to be violated!
This forced me to move around my next beer in place of trying this again soon. I fear mine won't be anywhere near this good.
PABs Brewing
Planning Brew good beer and live a hoppy life Fermenting
Drinking
Disfucted
Smelly Hops
(split batch) A Many Stringed Bow Up Next
Men In Black
Thanks Ron, that made the wife's and my day. Hope you enjoy it. Even dogs agree, Naked Cats are Mmmmm tasty.
Naked Cat Brewery On Tap
Yazoo Sue Smoked Porter
Octoberfest
Le Petite Saison
Czech Pale Lager
A Toast to Big Fuzzy Russian Imperial Stout at 10%
Belgian Blond
Flower Power IPA
4 Kilts Clueless Belgian Strong
One Wort Two Yeast with Wyeast 2206
One Wort Two Yeast with WLP940
Shipwreck Saison
She was on my mind all the way home. The anticipation was building all day long and it was killing me. I knew I had to have her and I knew it would be quick. The trick would be to take my time and not have this be over too quickly...
A quick thought entered me head: "Should I have a Happy Ending instead?" No, that was NOT what I was in the mood for. I could have that any time, tonight I wanted HER.
I reached for her in the dark and knew immediately by the feel of her that I had found what I was looking for. I took her in my hand and led her into the other room with me where I would have my way with her. At first, all I could do was look at her. Her long neck, the curve of her shoulders.....I fought every urge I had until I could see the beads of sweat starting to roll ever so slowly down her neck.
Finally, I grabbed her. Not too rough, but forcefully enough to be clear on my intentions. I had passed the point of no return and I was moving full steam ahead. In a moment of clarity, I grabbed my camera to take video of the moment so I could relive it over and over again and post it on the internet to share with my buddies. I didn't care who saw this, I just wanted proof of how great she was and that I had her.
After baring her soul to me, there was nothing left between us save a thin piece of glass. I leaned in to let all of my senses be engaged. Her aroma was downright intoxicating. Like I could taste her before I even brought my lips to her. I smelled her softly at first, then taking her in deeply to become one with me. I was getting woozy from her essence alone.
I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed her and brought her close to my mouth, gently allowing her to pass my lips. The excitement of her first taste was electrifying, making my tongue dance in my mouth. She was sweet, powerful and generally an overload to the senses. There would be nothing simple or easy about her - just the challenge of overtaking her and not letting her be the dominant one.
I took her slowly, enjoying every ounce of what she had to offer. It was over before I knew it but I could still taste her long afterwards. Her aroma yet lingers around me and everything now seems bland in comparison to the experience of tasting her.
I'll go to bed sated this evening, but I will never forget her. I have no doubt she'll be in my dreams as I drift off this tonight and I will forever compare every one in the future to the memory of the time we spent together.
