Experimental Beers

Sometimes learning is about taking chances. One of the beer books on my shelf is Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers by Buhner (No, I am not a hippie.) The ideas in this book range from different to crazy but it offers opportunities to try new flavors and styles that are out of the ordinary for beers. Hopefully, this will improve my beers in the future by increasing my palate of tastes to choose from when creating my own recipes. As such, Sunday I brewed two experimental beers: a spruce ale and a licorice ale.

Fermentables in experimental beers like these can vary and sometimes the yeast takes a bit longer to get going. I am sure a yeast starter would have been a good option. I will have to note that for the next experimental beer. This evening I noticed action in the airlock. Not a lot but some bubbling is better than none.

Return of the "Brog"

Four years ago I began the magnificent hobby known as home brewing. My first beer, Perkele Pils, was a reasonable success. While brewing that first batch, I felt compelled to share my freshman efforts with those I knew and/or respected. As such, I started the brog (brew-log). Unfortunately, after several valiant efforts, other aspects of life pushed this hobby to the back burner and my brog lapsed.

At the beginning of this year I made a pledge: to dedicate myself to brewing regularly and to becoming a better brewer with every batch (which doesn't necessarily mean a better beer product.) 2009 has proved to be a good brewing year and, although I have experienced some of the breaks, I have learned much and enjoyed even more. As such, it seems only appropriate to begin sharing these trials, tribulations, and (of course) successes again. What to expect: brewing experiences, beer tastings, competitions, label designs, and more.

So, grab a beer (preferably one of mine) and enjoy the ride. (Techincally, you don't have to drink to follow this brog but it helps.)

Cheers!