Last batch was the first attempt at an Idaho-Style Farmhouse Ale, trying to marry a light session beer with a more complex Belgian-Style beer. Right now, the only thing I have learned from that batch is that my new water filter is TNT. I also found out I’m not a very good plumber. Before I get into why I’m not a good plumber (which is not a big issue in any way) I want to say that I know that some of the things I write might not paint me in the best light (backed up drain problem and stirring the mash with a wrench to name recent ones). I write that stuff for two reasons; first, I think it makes for a much more entertaining blog. I don’t take myself too seriously (nobody should takes themselves too seriously for that matter) and try to convey that in the blog. If I didn’t want to give people a real look at what is happening with starting a brewery, I wouldn’t have started it. The second reason is a selfish reason, but I want to be able to look back at my journey and remember all the fun/maddening/shitty stuff that went on. Writing the blog is my way to being sure to enjoy the ride. I am excited to get to my “destination” of running a brewery, but I have to constantly remind myself that it’s about the journey not the destination. As for the plumbing, well my filter installation drips if I keep the water on constantly. I blame the filter since the plumbing fittings are steel and the filter threads are plastic, most likely I didn't use enough Teflon tape or tighten it enough (it is pretty damn tight though) Enough of my crap, onto the beer:
Leaning Barn
Style: Idaho-Style Farmhouse Ale (The TTB will nix this as a style, who cares right now)
Malts: American 2-Row, Aromatic, Wheat
Hops: Admiral, Saphir
ABV: 5%
Playlist: Dead iPod...Silence is not golden
I did sample the last batch and some of these changes are based on that and some are based on having something different to compare to. A lot of Belgian-Style beers are made using various different spices and I haven’t decided it that is something I want to go into for this beer. It is a fine line to walk in that too much spice would turn a lot of people off from, but the current state of the beer doesn’t quite have the complexity that I am hoping for.
I am sure many a master brewer has confronted similar tricky turns of the wrench in the perils of plumbing and the wayward wanderings of water. In fact, I was along with Mike on a couple tours of national-award-winning breweries and the visuals of the process have very little to do with the quality of the product. Due to your smarts and engineering background, I am more than confident you will nail down some bountiful brews for your thirsty fans.
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