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The summer brew schedule

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:06 pm
by FedoraDave
It's hot here in Southeastern New York State. Temps in the 90s and humidity very high, too. Last weekend I brewed a 2.5 gallon batch of a saison. It's been fermenting at at least 75 degrees in my basement. Should be good.

But it's getting too hot to brew every weekend, as I have been. But I still have to keep something in the pipeline. So I've decided on the following plan.

I won't be making any 5 gallon batches this summer. And not many AG batches, either. I have the lager fridge, so I'm turning it up to mid-60s and I'll do an extract ale in it in a couple of weeks. Probably 100 Years War IPA.

Then another saison, since it'll be early August. And then I'll take another shot at the Copperbottom Lager, even though it's an AG recipe and will tie up the lager fridge for a while. But I've revised the recipe, and I'm eager to see how this one comes out.

By that time, it'll be late August/early September, and I'll be ready to pick up my weekly brewing schedule again.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:11 pm
by Beer-lord
Wish we'd cool down in September. We might only get to 85 in early October.
I hear ya on the heat but I have no choice really. I won't go back to the kitchen to brew and for me, my 6 gallon batches make sense. But I have been thinking of trying an extract quickee for old times sake.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:25 pm
by FedoraDave
I have a couple of good extract recipes for the 2.5 gallon batches. 100 Years War is one, but not the only one. And I'm confident enough that I could make a perfectly fine beer just by picking up 3 or 4 pounds of DME, some hops, and some S-05. Maybe steep some specialty grains if I wanted some intrigue in the flavor or body. It'll be beer; maybe undistinguished beer, but it'll be beer.

Right now it's about keeping the pipeline full and indulging in my hobby on some kind of regular basis. I get into the creative stuff and the tried-and-true house brews during the winter. I'm lucky that my basement, in this region, maintains very good ale temps from late September through June or so.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:08 pm
by Rebel_B
Looks like summer has hit here... At least it's not humid here. Time for brewing up a couple more Belgian ales!
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Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:17 pm
by FrozenInTime
We are still chilly at night here in the frozen tundra. It's 65 right now, should hit 50ish tonight. We have been in the low 70's, I actually went for a bike ride this morn, it was 68 out and chilly with t's on. Knock on wood, might hit 80 - 81 tomorrow. Brewing, garden, honey do list be dayum'd, I'm gonna put some miles on my bike on the morrow. I really should get another brew done before we get into some heat. Just put 5 gallons in da fridge, that will only last so long once the neighbors figure that out. Maybe a stout and an IPA for this fall.

Sorry Dave, did not mean to hi-jack your thread. Kinda wish I had your heat problem for a couple weeks. ONLY a couple weeks.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 10:24 pm
by RickBeer
Just plugged in my temp controller today at my in-law's house, and making ice for next week's brewing. White House Honey Porter or Mackinac Island Red? Which to make first.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:45 am
by Beer-lord
I just heard on the news that there's going to be unseasonably cooler weather for parts of the mid west and Great Lakes area. Please see that some of that makes its way down here.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:52 pm
by FedoraDave
I need to check the calendar, but it might actually be a good idea for me to brew another batch of Groomsman's Pride right off the bat here.

We're going to be meeting up with my daughter at the end of August, and having the freshest batch possible is probably a good idea, since it's a hoppy beer.

It would be a little young, but I could always give them a bottle or two and tell them to let it warm condition for another week or so, and then chill and taste.

Yes, I'm getting somewhat obsessive about this, but my future son-in-law wants me to brew beer as a gift. It's kind of a big deal.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 8:44 pm
by Yankeedag
I find this perfect Nong Cider weather.

Re: The summer brew schedule

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:47 pm
by FrozenInTime
Beer-lord wrote:I just heard on the news that there's going to be unseasonably cooler weather for parts of the mid west and Great Lakes area. Please see that some of that makes its way down here.
I believe we hit mid 40s last night/this morn.... come get this crap! Was a warm 68 for our bike ride Sunday, was bout perfect. I would like some 80ish degrees up here.... bring it with you!!

Just checked... it's a warm... (hahahaha) 64 degrees here right now. I'm really starting to think about moving again.... Someone tells me it's freaking mid July and I'll just go over the edge..... Go head... I dare ya! I double dare ya!!