What are you drinking?

[BlackDuck]

Just finished cutting the grass in 88 degree heat. My Blackberry Pomegranate Berliner Weiss is hitting the spot right now.


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[mashani]

The special bitter I made in the M&B. It's quite good. But it's making me also pretty certain about what I'm going to say next, which I've been noticing every batch I've done AG with crystal/caramel malts.

So, what I find interesting about doing the AG in the M&B vs. the Extract + PMs or steeps, is that it's quite noticeable to me how much the specialty malts added, especially crystal malts really stand out on their own against the base malt. The extract batches, even with fresh extract, always start off a bit sweeter and kind of like you used a light crystal even without any crystal being added. I'd often counter that by subbing some sugar in some recipes. But even compared to those, with the AG batches, the base malt comes across different, less sweet, more bready or grainy or what not, which seems to get lost in the extract.

That's not me saying the extract batches are bad, they were not and often really quite excellent, and maybe some people who like that extra bit of crystal like vibe or the more "blendedness"? I guess, would even like them better side by side, but this is something that I'm noticing that I forgot about over my many year hiatus from AG brewing.

[bpgreen]

The extract batches, even with fresh extract, always start off a bit sweeter and kind of like you used a light crystal even without any crystal being added.

I could be wrong, but I think a lot of extracts (even pilsner) have some crystal/caramel malt in them.

You'll also probably get at least a little maillard and maybe some caramelization with extracts (especially liquid), which can lead to some residual sweetness.

[mashani]

The Brown Porter I made in the Mash & Boil, where I used a bunch of English Brown malt.

This beer is great. The recipe is a keeper for sure. It is not icky!

[Kealia]

Another island IPA that is just "meh".

So I'm going with an easy drinker: Kona Brewing Big Wave Ale by the volleyball courts while I decide whether or not I'm going to play.

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[mashani]

That beer I called "Rye Bier" that I made in the M&B.

I've been drinking it up in large QTY as it is refreshing to drink after a day of cycling.

It is more bitter then I intended because I forgot how much a step mash would increase the fermentability.

So it's not as much like a Rye influenced Alt beer like I was going for, but more like an old school all bittering hops English IPA except with German hops and yeast.

It's still good, it's just not matching any style that exists (not that a Rye Alt Bier does either).

[Kealia]

I'ts easy like Sunday mornin'.......

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[swenocha]

Mantra R.I.P. is a reaper chili IPA. I dig it...

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[mashani]

The question is will you still dig it tomorrow...

[swenocha]

The question is will you still dig it tomorrow...

It had quite a tingle on the lips, throat, and down the hatch, but it dissipated fairly quickly. Now, I need to qualify this as I am a xhot Hot Chicken guy, so spice doesn't hit me like it might some, but it is a nice IPA... much more in the west coast style than Mantra/Humulus Project usually does. Some good caramel base backed with piney hops... and a lot of heat.

My friend Trent did a full chug today...

https://www.facebook.com/trent.rosebloo ... 188993240/

[Kealia]

Ooh, maybe I can get some hot chicken when I'm out there next month!

For now, Kylo-Red will have to do.

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[Kealia]

Bad day...needed to hit the DIPA today.

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[swenocha]

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[Beer-lord]

Jeez man, did I read you were slowing down on beers and carb?
I see a number I know I'd enjoy.

[swenocha]

Note that it's taken me the entire spring to drink these and many were shared...

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