As noted, I cut my hand pretty badly in early May. I've brewed once since then, an extract APA. It was nice to remember how quick and easy a 2-3 gallpn extract batch can be. But that's not the slump. My last two batches before that were, not very good. And the two before that, while good in the keg, suffered in the bottled half from indifferent sanitation. I'm losing my edge, and maybe my confidence.
Okay, it's not that bad. I just hope the extract batch is really good. Or I'll have to resign from the Borg in disgrace.
Making beer and stew for the Zombie Apocalypse.
Never mind, there it is.
Currently Conditioning:
Cherry Mead
California Moscato
Currently enjoying:
Hardly Apple Cider on tap
Hardly Cherry Lime-Aid on tap
Oktoberfestive-Ale on tap
PGA Cider (Pear, Ginger, Apple) on tap 3rd Founders Cup 2016 King Of The Mountain on tap
Bottoms Up Brown on tap GOLD 2016 Ohio Brew Week Silver 2016 Ohio State Fair Silver 2016 Son of Brewzilla, Silver 2015 Son of Brewzilla, Bronze 2015 King Of The Mountain on tap
NITWIT BELGIAN STRONG ALE Banjo-Dawg RCE bottled
DAWG LB PALE ALE bottled
CITRA SLAPPED AMBER ALE bottle
MO FREEDOM SMaSH bottle
HOP TO IT IMPERIAL IPA bottle
Whether good or bad as long as you learn something from it you can move forward. I have had some mediocre beers that with some feedback I have turned in to very good beers.
Howling Husky Brewing Company
Fermenting
Nothing at the moment
Kegged
Tap 1: Mango Saison
Tap 2: Southern Belle Brown Ale
Tap 3: Kings Porter - Robust Porter, 5.6% ABV
Tap 4: Empty
Sorry to hear that John, but we all go through slumps.
My Vienna Ooops Lager wasn't named that because it was a great beer. I hope this next beer raises your spirits. How is the hand doing?
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
Thanks guys. BeerLord, you may be right, this could be my annual slump.
Ink, the hand is improving slowly. It's still weak and swollen, but I can nearly close it now. I went rowing last week, not too bad.
Making beer and stew for the Zombie Apocalypse.
Never mind, there it is.
Here's hoping your hand heals and your brewing is on track! Looking at my own brewing log, it's hard to believe that I haven't bottled a beer since April, but a small series of them coming up cures that thought -- now giving me logistical planning of the order of what to empty to make room for the next in the series, and seeing the meads and ciders that are in process.
It happens to everyone. I've had infections, gushers, and just plain "blah" batches. I found that going a different route often helps overcome a slump. Try brewing a different style, or try a different ingredient or technique. It helps you focus a bit more, even on the stuff that's become routine, like sanitizing or bottling.
I haven't hit a slump recently, but I'm intending on taking the month of August off as far as brewing is concerned. I don't want it to get stale or become a chore, and I'll be able to resume after Labor Day with renewed enthusiasm.
Up Next: Littlejohn's Ale Fermenting/Conditioning Old Smokey Amber Ale -- 100 Years War IPA -- Ottertoberfest Drinking: Rocking Chair Orange Wheat -- South Ferry Steam Beer
Well, feeling a little better. Kegged the Single Hand APA, looks, smells, tastes good warm and flat, fwiw. Bottled two pints of the Super ESB to use the keg. That tasted good warm too. We'll see. It also helps that I sailed this week on my own boat for the first time this year. And solved the engine alarm problem.
Thank you for your support.
Making beer and stew for the Zombie Apocalypse.
Never mind, there it is.
Glad to hear you're doing a little better, John. They just can't keep a good man down. I've had a few small slumps and one really big one, myself. We always find our way back into the groove eventually. My last slump was a short one, thankfully. I got a Viagra pill stuck in my throat and had a stiff neck for days.