Stinky Daddy Brewery & Winery

Slacker

As you can see from my lack of posting I have been somewhat of a slacker. I have been busy and unfortunately the brewery/winery (brinery) has taken a back seat.

I did bottle the Mezza Luna red a few weeks ago. It settled at .0094 for right ar 10% ABV. The hydro jar had a nice taste. One of my college roomies will be in town this week so, I'll have a review a little later.

I have been lucky to taste a few other brewery efforts recently. I tried a:

potato beer - from a newer brewer. The potatoes dried out the beer and it needed more malt. I would also say that the taters did not bring anything to the party. It had to be a 1 SRM. Not a bad effort though.

pale ale - This was someone's first batch! Not a bad effort at all. It was an straight extract batch so it had a bit of that twang and would have benefited from dry hopping but it was better than my first effort.

an American hefe & a German weisse - These came from an experienced brewer and it showed. These were both excellent examples of the styles. The weisse was good but I really loved the hefe. I have had the ingredients to brew an American wheat w/ Sorachi Ace. I think these sample brews may get me off the couch.

Thanks for letting me sample your brews!

 

First SFH Club Meeting

I made my first trip to a homebrew club meeting tonight. I am now an official member of The State of Franklin Hombrewers. I had a great time and felt  welcomed. 

The meeting was held at The Depot Street Brewery so I was able to talk to the brewer/owner and sample a few of his brews. There were also other (good)commercial beer brought in by various members. There was plenty of homebrew to taste as well. 

Besides the brewer at Depot Street the club also has at least one Siebel grad (who invited me to a brewing session at his home brewery), at least 8 BJCP certified judges, and a BJCP instructor. WOW! That is a bunch of knowledge. 

I took my Woolybooger Oatmeal Stout (B56) and it was well received. In fact, I think they were somewhat surprised considering I had never been to a meeting. I took the brew in a liter soda bottle that I had sealed with one of my homemade carbonater caps. Those caps were a hit. I had at least 20 people ask me how to make them. 

I can't wait until next month's meeting. They are doing a session on off flavors. They are going to doctor a few BMC brews with the off flavors so you can learn what they taste like. This should be great info.   

Chubby Squrriel Amber Ale (B55) Pour

The Squirrel has been hanging in the keg for 6 weeks or so. Decided to give it a pour.

Not a clear as my brews usually finish. I did not rack this one so, that's why. Color is good but a little darker than I wanted. Does have a nice red hue. Good head that linger the whole pint. Carbonation is good. I can really taste the nutty/bready flavor from the malt. I believe the yeast really let these flavors come through.

Overall not bad. I mean it is very drinkable but not my best effort. Maybe a little heavy on the Victory/Biscuit combination. It does taste similar to Fat Tire but I am just about over that brew.

Busy Busy Busy ... but not Brewing

Wow have I been busy. Work, school, and baby girl have been wide open since February. Have not had any time for stinky fun...no brewing & no blogging. EMR project at work has been taking it all.

Had to go to Dallas for 2 weeks of work related training in March. I did get to visit the Flying Saucer and BJ's Brewhouse in Addison. I took tasting notes and will post them here. I do have to say I was not impressed with BJ's. 

Took a trip with Stinky Momma and some really stinky friends to Miami last weekend. We stayed in a 3 bedroom condo at Acqualina. All I can say is WOW!!! Way out of my tax bracket. The BMWs and Mercedes were the junk cars in this parking lot and black suited security guards in the beach/pool area. The valets sure made our rented minivan disappear quickly..... 

Maybe ... just maybe I'll block some brewing time for tomorrow! 

Still Slammed - No Brewing going On

Still too much going on to brew. Stinky Momma, Stinky baby, work, school, Stinky Dogs, etc ... Whew!

I did drop off a coupleof bottle of Choc-O-Haulic Milk Stout (B49) and received some great reviews. One of the tasters said it was one of the top 10 beers he has ever had. Wow! I need to brew a 5 gallon batch of this stuff.

I am going to try to take care of the batches in the carboys that I have ignored for almost 3 months. I am afraid they are going to be ruined.

Force Carbonated Tsal Pale Ale (B41)

Pumped this one up today. Did a 4.5 minute shake @ 35psi.

Took a taste and this baby has hops. It has floating hop particle from dry hopping. It may need a little more carbonation. Also needs a couple of days for the chill haze to clear.

Good Grief I am BEAT but I Did Get Great Feedback on a Couple of Brews

MT drug me to a group ride tonight. I was too tired to go but didn't want to listen to all the crap if I backed out. So off I went with dead legs after last night's 33 miler. I'd say there were 50 riders their. I'd also say that all 50 of them looked like they were in much better shape than I am. Uh oh...

Fortunately MT took pity and took us on a little easier route than the "fast pack". (I am still trying to figure out why I ended up chasing that group even though it was only for a mile!). Lot's of hills that I am not used to climbing. Then a 4 mile climb up Buffalo Mountain. I stopped a couple of time to stretch because my calves were cramping. Talk about a dose of realty! Anyway we put in 29 miles and I don't think I would have made it without him talking me through it. 

He did say that he had tried the Tatum's Tail Pale Ale PM that I dropped off and thought it was great. So did the person he was drinking it with. Don't worry, more beer for you after today's tow!

  

M.T. Found and Bribed with Homebrew

I needed a bike rack for my truck so I decided to stop in an old riding buddy's shop to pick one up. What a mistake (not really)! After listening to him tell a few old stories to the gang in his store, we sat around amazed that no one lost a limb as a result of our exploits. I am still laughing, especially about how Gash Hollow got it's name.... He even called G.B. and they both started giving me crap!

We are going on a ride next week and I am completely prepared to be waxed then totally ridiculed. He was not impressed with my new riding gear and athletic form pictured in this self portrait.

I did run home to grab him a home brew sampler. It had Sean Thornton's Irish Red, Chocolate Rush Stout, Tatum's Tail Pale Ale PM; Addy Cake's Christmas Wheat, and Christmas Ale 2007 in the 6. The brew is really a bribe so he'll take it easy on me for a month or so. I doubt it works ...

Fat Tire, Skinny Tire, and Where's the brewer?

Fat Tire has finally made it to Tennessee. I have been wanting to try this brew for some time. My expectations were high and I was not disappointed. Balanced, smooth, & toasty. The biscuit malt gives it a great finish. Not bitter ... just a great brew. I am glad it is only available in 22oz bottles because 12oz would just not be enough.

I have put in 3 short rides since I picked up my road bike 4 days ago. I am loving it. I need to find a couple longer loops. Right now they are in the 9.5 mile range. That is short distance on a road bike but I am WAY out of shape. That route also has plenty of climbs for this Clydesdale. I still need to find something around 15 miles. 

I've been really busy so, not much brewing lately. I will bottle my grass cutter ale this week. It will have been in the secondary 14 days this Wednesday. Maybe I'll get to something in the "mental brew pot" this week.  

 

Gone Bad - Belgian Wit (B29)

I am afraid this batch may have gone bad. I've had it in the keg for a week or so and took a taste today. Not good.

This is the one that "exploded" during fermentation. The airlock blew off and spewed beer everywhere, ceiling included. I didn't find out until 6-7 hours after it happened. I also was not the one to clean it up. I was afraid it may have gotten infected ... I am afraid it has.

I am going to give it another week then make a decision. I am sad because I had high expectations for this batch...