r@fink brews

Saturday, April 30, 2005

who likes fudgicles?

I have ordered a Bavarian Hefe Weizen beer kit for my next brewing project. Good buddy Paul V. is planning a trip all the way from Los Gatos in August and we are looking forward to tipping a bunch of these. Bring the lemons....or fudgicles.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

how about a picture

Mmmm tasty


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Tuesday, April 26, 2005

tipped one

Just couldn't control myself and I got into the Cream Ale Sunday. Very light in color like a domestic beer with just a hint of copper color. It was a little warm but it had a good flavor with a good amount of hop flavor.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Cream Ale bottled

Saturday April 2, 2005 Cream Ale bottled. Bottling went well with no bumps in the road. Looks like about the first of May before we crack 'em.




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Friday, April 01, 2005

Unofficial list

I've been thinking about all the batches I've brewed and decided to compose a brief history and a list of varieties I've enjoyed.

My first exposure to homebrew was a taste of my brother Jim's brew in the middle to late 80's. I was young and used to American beer and didn't really take to the homebrew taste and wondered why anyone would go to all the trouble to brew at home.
It was probably the mid 90's before I gave homebrewing a shot and got hooked. I've been brewing since then with a few breaks here and there.
I am an extract brewer and maybe some day I will try an all grain brew.
So here is a list from memory of the different brews and my impressions of them.
  • IPA - My first couple batches were IPA's
  • Irish Red - I've probably brewed more of these than any other (our favorite)
  • Nut Brown Ale - Very Nutty
  • British Brown Ale - Nice, smooth
  • American Steam - I had too much carbonation made it cidery tasting. I need to try one of these again soon
  • Irish Stout - My least favorite so far. I only brewed a half batch and gave half of that away. It wasn't bad but I'm not a real stout fan
  • Cream Ale - I've brewed a couple batches of this variety also. A nice, light, warm weather beer