The Next Rodeo

Rodeo Amber

Style: American Amber
Malts: American 2-Row, CaraMunich, Crystal, Munich
Hops: Columbus, Fuggles, Hallertau, Magnum
ABV: ~ 4.5%
Playlist: Feeling Kind of 80's Today

Two changes to this batch over the last one, although the hop change was not planned it was a result of supply at the store.  The hops that I am using this time are comparable to the last batch, but are different.  The beer has low IBU's dominated with a spicy/earthy hop flavor and subtle fruitiness.  The change to the malts is the lack of Biscuit Malt, I felt that flavor dominated the beer and want to compare to one without Biscuit Malt.  Next time I will probably split the difference for a slighter biscuit flavor.

I have also been getting some ideas for the IPA names (or other styles).  Going with the theme of "The Rodeo," I am thinking something along the lines of "Pistol" or "Pistol Flip."  The name plays on all three levels of "The Rodeo."  In addition to the obvious gun/western reference, it is both a skiing and kayaking move.  I probably wont be able to continue this triple threat naming, but I think it is pretty cool so far.  Pistol Flip IPA anyone?

Stuff 'n Things

The broken record continues to spin...another week has past by and while I have made more progress.  With what I have accomplished, I either can't let everyone know what is going on or it will just be a bore.   There really isnt much of a reason behind this post except that I like to keep adding stuff.  Other brewery blogs that I follow often get forgotten for a month at a time, not the best way to retain readership.

The IPA is fermenting away, Brown is almost ready to get carbonated and I am working through a few progressions of the Amber recipe development for the next batch.  I also have ideas for tweaks in the IPA for next time, but I want to sample it before I make a new one.  See if my ideas for change are even needed. 

More to come this week...

IPA Piloting

The IPA is a work in progress in both the recipe and the name.  There are countless great IPA's out there and hopefully someday mine will be in the same sentence.  The difficult part in designing my recipes is that I want to make an good beer that can be compared to other greats but also want it to be different enough so it isn't viewed as a clone for beer already out there.  With an IPA, that really all comes down to the hops.  My thoughts with this IPA is using traditionally used hops for much of it, then throwing in a new hop variety (Sorachi Ace) to add a new element to the flavor and aroma.  Maybe it will be the Simcoe of 2010 (many of the most popular IPA's over the past few years have been using Simcoe in their recipes).  

I have never used Sorachi Ace and hear that it has a lemony flavor and aroma.  I am thinking that the lemon flavor in moderation will work with the grapefruit and orange flavors of the other hops in the recipe.  Only one way to find out how if works...try it.  The other hop I want to get a hold of again is the Citra hop, I loved how it worked in my American Wheat and want to give it a whirl in an IPA (Sorachi Ace could might also go well in a wheat).
 

IPA

Style: Northwest IPA
Malts: American 2-Row, Crystal, Honey
Hops: Amarillo, Centennial, Columbus, Sorachi Ace, Zeus (maybe some other ones for dry-hopping)
ABV: ~ 6.5%
Playlist: The RZA, the GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God , Ghostface Killah, Raekwon the Chef, and the Method Man...

IPA names is something else that I have been working with.  Earlier I had mentioned Outlaw IPA, which I do like, but need to play with some other options.  Other things that people have brought up are Canyon IPA, Tie Cutter IPA, Cougar Mountain IPA or Thunder Mountain IPA (too close to Redhook's to me).   Thoughts?

Random Stuff

What was scheduled to be a big week for me last week, turned into a waste of a week when all of my meetings got canceled.  Frustrating, but there isn't much that I can do, but I plan on turning this week into a big week. 

I found a location that I really hope turns into the home of Payette Brewing.  I have to sort some things out before I disclose all of the information, but I assure you that it could be great.  I also need to figure out some of my timing between raising the remaining capital and signing a lease.  Things are picking up and these posts might begin to get interesting soon (Probably the 10th time I've said that).

The Mutton Buster I made last week went okay.  There is a new homebrew store in Boise called Brewer's Haven where I got all of my supplies for this batch.  It is probably the best homebrew shop that I have ever been to.  Only problem that I had was that their mill setting was too wide and as a result, my efficiencies were low and I missed my numbers.  Sparing everyone of the detailed explanation, it isn't a huge deal and for the next batch I will ask them to tighten it up a bit so I can get better extract efficiencies.  So the Mutton Buster is only going to be around 4% and probably too hoppy, who knows, maybe it will be better that way.

I have a few IPA recipes ready to go and I might make a two batches this week.  Expect more pilot posts this week.  After a few IPA pilots, a batch of Jackalope Imperial IPA will also be on the docket. 

Mutton Buster Brown

I personally think that Mutton Buster is the best beer that I make, it probably wont be available early on though because there really aren't as many people out there that prefer Brown Ales over other styles.  Maybe I just need to get you to try it and it might become your favorite too.

Mutton Buster Brown

Style: American Brown Ale
Malts: American 2-Row, Brown, Chocolate, Crystal
Hops: Magnum and Amarillo
ABV: ~5%
Playlist: Cross Canadian Ragweed

Instead of the malt dominated English versions of Brown Ales, the Mutton Buster is more balanced, even slightly hoppy with the addition of some higher alpha American hops.  The hop flavor and aroma are still subtle, but distinctively American/Northwest with the Amarillo.

State of the Brewery Address...

Readers of the blog probably understand what I am writing half the time, hopefully find me mildly entertaining and at a minimum know the name of the brewery that I am starting.  This first post of the new year should be all of the above and help give everyone an idea of where I am in terms of getting this shit going.

I am not one to make resolutions, especially ones like "I will write a brewery update once a week" because we all know there is no way that I will follow through on that one no matter how hard I try.  That being said, Payette Brewing Co will sell beer in 2010, no promises when though.

The number one concern for me right now is raising the remaining money needed to get this going.  Once I get the money, things will start to pick up a lot.  There are a lot of other little things that are getting sorted out right now in terms of location, marketing, financing and of course beers.

I continue to make pilot batches and some people have been able to sample different beers that are in the works.  Right now I am trying to figure out a way to have a tasting event, even though I don't have a location to have people come to.  Stay tuned for that, because getting all of you involved in the beer development is very important to me.  The votes coming in are overwhelmingly in support of an IPA, so I am going to turn my focus towards that very shortly.  I want to make another batch of the Mutton Buster Brown Ale, but after that, I will do a few consecutive versions of the Outlaw IPA. 

As far as the blog, I really plan on using some more media on here.  Pictures are the simple route, but I am planning on busting out the flipcam and putting together some vids.  The key to that isn't just taking video, it is getting my ass motivated enough to edit the video, add some tunes and post it (everyone who went to Steamboat last year knows how difficult it is for me to make a video).  Rest assured that once I get some footage, the PBC Productions videos will be gems.

Happy New Year and get excited because PBC is coming in o'ten (yes, you can say o'ten, it works, trust me, I substitute taught an English class once)

Gotta Hop