January 2009 Archives

It has been a while but I'd like to start blogging again. With a lot taking place at work, I found myself not having the time or energy to blog or brew beer. Deadlines at work and papers for school kept me fairly occupied. Now that the bulk of the madness is over, I can pick up where I left off.

Since my last post, I had a Belgian Wit sitting in a fermenter. It never reached bottling day. I let it sit for way too long and it lost its flavor. Believe me, the last thing I wanted to do was dump a 5 gallon batch but I had to. It smelled and tasted awful. Lesson learned - stick to a schedule.

During the holidays, I brewed a Christmas ale. A concoction of pale and crystal malts with a couple ounces of Hallertau hops and a couple of ounces of mulling spices. The beer is beautiful amber with a thick off-white head. I dropped the mulling spices in during the last 10 minutes of the boil and dry hopped the beer with 2 ounces of Hallertau hops. The result: an overpowering spicy beer with subtle notes of citrus. Lesson learned - use less mulling spices and less boil time. Other than that, the beer isn't all that bad.

I also finished the welding of my manifold and sparging arm for my all grain mash tun. Pictures will follow very soon. The all grain system is about 75% complete. The last main requirement is a stand that can support a 15.5 gallon keg converted into a brew kettle and a 7.5 gallon hot liquor tank. I'm drafting the plans for this now with the hope of completing it in April (yes, of 2009.)

In addition to my home brewing, I discovered some really great beers and pubs. Working in Center City presents many options for drinking and the guys I work with are excellent drinking companions. When we're feeling scrappy, we'll go to a bar we call the "W." Here we’ll enjoy rounds of PBR or Sierra. When we are feeling sophisticated or in need of good scotch, we hit the Prohibition Tap Room. This classy bar has so much on tap to offer and they never disappoint. Among some of the many craft beers on tap are Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard and Slyfox Stout – a new personal favorite.

We are all looking forward to Philly Beer Week which starts March 6^th through the 15^th. Click the link to check it out: http://phillybeerweek.org/. There are a ton of events scheduled, most sponsored by local breweries and pubs & restaurants. It’s going to be a great time! If you are in the area, definitely check it out. I’ll post more about it as Opening Tap approaches.

Speaking of beer...I think it's about that time!