BeerBorg

On the first year of homebrew
my true love gave to me
a Mr. Beer homebrewing kit

On the second year of homebrew
my true love gave to me
two cans of extract
and a Mr. Beer homebrewing kit

....well anyway...

On tap for the Holidays I have my first ever American Brown Ale, an Imperial Cali' Common Beer and 10 month old bottles of Wee Heavy homebrew to enjoy.

What are you all planning to drink?

I've already started with some good, dark beers and even enjoyed a sour. Even though it's a warm Christmas, I'm still trying to pack in the stouts, porters and other heavier brews.

Beer-lord wrote:I've already started with some good, dark beers and even enjoyed a sour. Even though it's a warm Christmas, I'm still trying to pack in the stouts, porters and other heavier brews.

We can plan our brewing schedules, but we can't plan on seasonal weather anymore it seems.

I brewed a maibock in April. I wasn't too fond of the beer at first but it has mellowed into a very fine beer. I also have an IPA and some Leechburg Lager. I made a Cherry Apple cider for the ladies that was a hit last Christmas.

I'm sure my pops will have some Apple Pie Shine and other flavors as well.

I have Ralph's Knucklehead Red, Ralph's Winter IPA, and Ralph's Old Time Whiskey Stout on tap. I also found 2 bottles of the Cyser I made 3 years ago.

I only have 14 choices...

We're going to have a small Citrus Bowl party next Friday, so I'll have to load the frig(s) up, and then find that half of them don't drink...

Gonna bring a just carbed keg of a double IPA, double dry hopped with Citra hops, to a Christmas Eve party this evening. I didn't want to bring a CO2 tank & regulator, so I'm going to try out a little portable carb/dispenser I bought on Tuesday, that uses the little cartridges (similar to the one pictured).

Those work perfectly well but if you have a 5 gallon keg and plan on emptying it, you may need as many as 3 cartridges.

Xmas Ale I brewed in 2014 bottled, on tap Traveling Irish Red, Mather Steamship Cali-Common, 4 Kilts Clueless Belgian Strong, Bottoms up Brown and almost perfectly carbed Down Unda IPA and Divergent IPA! Cheers to ALL!

Rebel_B wrote:Gonna bring a just carbed keg of a double IPA, double dry hopped with Citra hops, to a Christmas Eve party this evening. I didn't want to bring a CO2 tank & regulator, so I'm going to try out a little portable carb/dispenser I bought on Tuesday, that uses the little cartridges (similar to the one pictured).

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1450974078.455969.jpg

Just be sure you always buy keg specific replacements. The run of the mill cartridges have some toxic oils in them that comes out with the CO2.

Ho Ho Ho, 64°F in WNY and No Snow on Christmas Eve!

Got an Old Abbey Dubbel and a Cascadian Ale on the taps...

A 12 pack of Saranac (mixer, 3 porters, 3 lagers and 6 IPA's)...

A big bottle of Merlot and another of Moscato!

Various sift drinks and lots of Egg Nog!

That's the variety of the beverages, and water and coffee of course...

Obviously, we will sip gingerly in good company of family and friends and with responsibility!

Happy Holidays All! Be Safe!

On tap I have my first successful batch since spring: Belgian Pale Plus, a slightly darker, bigger version of the BP in BCS. To bring to my neighbor I bought a 12 pack of Brooklyn Pilsner. I'm still occasionally drinking bottles of two year old Belgian Strong. That was a failed attempt at a Rare Vos clone (the recipe from Clone Brews). After two years in a temperate basement, it's still very good.

Beer-lord wrote:Those work perfectly well but if you have a 5 gallon keg and plan on emptying it, you may need as many as 3 cartridges.

My LHBS told me to have 4 on hand for a keg; so 4 is what I have on hand for the event.

The Gene Autry Christmas is still going strong, and delightful. I also put my Tangerine Porter on the other tap. But tonight, wrapping gifts, I'm enjoying a bomber of the Oaked Bourbon Scottish Ale. Very nice Christmas indeed. Good cheers to you all!

Well, my brew club put out the 2016 competition calendar a few weeks back. We run 6 in-club comps with various styles specified. We have a panel of not so expert judges to rate them for Brewer of the Year. Winner gets a wooden carved mash paddle with their name, club name and BOTY. Hoping to win that this year. First style is an American lager, American light lager, or cream ale. I did a slight blend of cream ale with a lager yeast.

The other monthly categories are:
April - Belgian Blonde or Saison
June - American Pale Ale
August - American IPA or specialty IPA
October - Trapist Single or Belgian double, tripel
December - English porter, American porter, American stout, Irish stout

Thinking if I'm ahead going in to December I'll have a good shot with winning it with my porter. Should be a fun year and guarantees 6 brew days at least!