IPA's, Brown's and More

I love days like today; I get to make beer, have a productive and exciting meeting, and when that is all over I get to go to McCall to "work" for two days (by work I mean get paid to ski).

I took some bottles of my IPA and Brown down to Bittercreek yesterday to let them try it and get some feedback from them.  From what I heard, I am on track with my IPA, everyone seemed to have great things to say about it and I was also able to get some places for improvement.  The Brown got more of a passing grade, hence why I am taking another stab at it today.  The biggest criticism was the lack of body in the beer, something that I knew was going to happen midway through brewing it.  Good thing is I know what went wrong and as I type this, this batch is spot on with my numbers and should have the body I am looking for while keeping the clean American hop profile.

Mutton Buster

Style: American Brown Ale
Malts: American 2-Row, Aromatic, Brown, Chocolate, Crystal
Hops: Magnum, Amarillo
ABV: 5.3%
Playlist: Apocalyptica, there is something about cello's playing rock music that is too sick for words

In other news, I had a good meeting with my real estate guy this morning.  I will continue to be quiet and mysterious about the details, but I am in the process of securing a home for Payette Brewing Co.  Once I sign on the dotted line, information will be readily available.  I dont want to show my hand just yet...

Gotta Hop

IPA

I am back at it again, making another batch of IPA.  The last one I made is just about ready and this recipe is similar with a few minor changes.  I sampled the last batch although it was a bit under-carbonated to decide what to do on this one.  The main thing I am working on it increasing the hop flavors, the last one is great in the bitterness and aroma, but I want to boost up the flavor a bit.  Saying that, I am very pleased with the last batch, it is a total citrus bomb and the lemony taste of the Sorachi definitely comes through and works with the more traditional citrus flavors like grapefruit and orange.

IPA

Style: Northwest IPA
Malts: American 2-Row, Crystal, Munich
Hops: Amarillo, Centennial, Chinook, Columbus, Sorachi Ace
ABV: ~ 6.5%
Playlist: The Wu-Tang did it right last time, so let's do it again


The Amber, Brown and Pale are in various stages of readiness, so far so good.

About Lagers

If you haven't noticed, I haven't been making lagers and only have one (Pilsner) listed on the blog poll.  I have been ignoring a huge range of styles and it wont continue much longer.  Lagers are definitely overlooked by the craft beer community and I plan to make a few at Payette Brewing.  The reason that I haven't been making them is my current set-up doesn't give me quite enough control over fermentation to properly ferment and mature the different styles of lagers.  There is something about lagers that fascinated me, but right now I don't feel that I can do them justice. 

For all you fans of Pilsners, Bocks, Vienna Lagers and plenty of other styles, your beers will come, don't worry.

Pale Ale Pilot

I am running out of the big Pale Ale batch I made at Schooner Exact so it's time to brew up another (that beer really should be gone, but I keep making new stuff that gets drank first). I am to the point where I think I have a good recipe down.  Like all of the beers, the exact recipe wont be decided until after holding taste panels of brewery fans, this batch is trying to work out another option.

Pale Ale
Style: American Pale Ale
Malt: American 2-Row, Crystal, Wheat
Hops: Bravo, Cascade, Crystal
ABV: ~ 5%

I brewed this beer yesterday, but since I put up a post yesterday and my updating is spotty at best I figured I would spread out what I do put up.

A Little Street Cred???

I wouldn't go quite as far as saying that, but today Payette Brewing got it's first bit of publicity!

A few weeks back, the guys from Uncle Boise contacted my about doing an interview with me and I gladly accepted.  I find it strange to read about myself and what I am doing from the perspective of another person, but I think the article is well written and does a great job telling my story.  Here is the link to the article:

Brewed Awakening - The Birth of Payette Brewing, Part 1
 
If the Uncle Boise guys are keeping up with blog, I want to say thank you and I look forward to sharing more beer with you and getting some more updates for future articles.

Tight name for the article/series by the way.

A year ago...

It's hard to believe that a year ago I was starting at the Siebel Institute, I had an awesome time there and learned tons.  If you have been reading the blog for the past year it may not seem that I have really accomplished much, which would be understandable.  I will say that I am both amazed at how far it has all come in the past year and frustrated that it isn't further along.  One of these days I will get to write some sappy post about finally opening, but until then I can just keep plugging along...still can't believe it has already been a year since Siebel though.

As for other stuff, nothing of importance that I can/want to share with the readers.  I have some more pilot batches in the works and always like to hear suggestions.  Not sure that I will get one brewed this week, so this could be the long post of the week.

In a non-beer related point, I am taking the Saints to cover (I should know better than to bet against Peyton but I have the same feeling I had when I took the Giants straight up over the Pats)