Let's talk good beer

[BDBohnzie]

A buddy of mine does a bit of beer blogging. Nothing serious, just stuff that he's drank and his reactions. Latest entry is Day 1 of the Brewery Crawl we did in October:
Old Line Beer - Living the Beer Dream in Maryland

[MTK]

Been on a bit of a beer hiatus lately, but I plan on getting back in the game this weekend. Hard.

[BDBohnzie]

Here is the bone yard pic from my Friday night, which was shared among several friends


Celebrated a friend's 40th birthday Saturday night. Had a black rye IPA at Capital City Brewing Company, then had Bell's Java Stout and Bear Republic Racer 5 at RFD. Today, got to try Bell's Milchkaffe and popped my growler of rar Farmhouse Nectar (Their flagship IPA done with saison yeast).

I may have to take a day or 2 off to recover.

[RedskinMike]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

Here is the bone yard pic from my Friday night, which was shared among several friends


Celebrated a friend's 40th birthday Saturday night. Had a black rye IPA at Capital City Brewing Company, then had Bell's Java Stout and Bear Republic Racer 5 at RFD. Today, got to try Bell's Milchkaffe and popped my growler of rar Farmhouse Nectar (Their flagship IPA done with saison yeast).

I may have to take a day or 2 off to recover.

I'm most intrigued by the Hill Farmstead growler in the back.

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by RedskinMike

I'm most intrigued by the Hill Farmstead growler in the back.

Unfortunately, that was from a previous trip my buddy made. He usually makes a Hill Farmstead stop, but didn't fit it in this time. He makes 2-3 trips to visit the in-laws in New Haven, CT each year, and chases the Heady trucks all over Northern Vermont for a few days while up there.

We did split a growler of New England's Locust Reign to start the evening. And that was quite tasty.

[over the mountain]

heavy seas double cannon - disappointing imo. came off as a strong ale instead of a dipa or imperial. kind of a malty muddled mess with no good real taste point sticking out.

[BDBohnzie]

I love Heavy Seas' bombers. Their uncharted series is top notch. But their regular beers are meh. Loose Cannon is ok. Cross Bones is ok. Gold and Cutlass are ok. Nothing they do on the regular is anything I want to have on the regular.

[RedskinMike]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

I love Heavy Seas' bombers. Their uncharted series is top notch. But their regular beers are meh. Loose Cannon is ok. Cross Bones is ok. Gold and Cutlass are ok. Nothing they do on the regular is anything I want to have on the regular.

Below decks is still one of the best barleywines I have ever had.

[over the mountain]

I am going to start home brewing.

I need some kind of activity for me and my daughter to do during the next few months of winter.

Anyone home brew or have suggestions on a good starter kit?

Im thinking I just want to get a simple set up and dabble for a few months to see if i like it. then, if i want to pursue it for real, drop a couple hundred on some real equipment. I have decent space in my back utility room/work space area.

Amazon.com: Monster Brew Home Brewing Supp Complete Beer Equipment Kit (K6) with 6 Gallon Glass Carboy, Gold: Kitchen & Dining

^^$90 bucks, good reviews.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

I am going to start home brewing.

I need some kind of activity for me and my daughter to do during the next few months of winter.

Anyone home brew or have suggestions on a good starter kit?

Im thinking I just want to get a simple set up and dabble for a few months to see if i like it. then, if i want to pursue it for real, drop a couple hundred on some real equipment. I have decent space in my back utility room/work space area.

Amazon.com: Monster Brew Home Brewing Supp Complete Beer Equipment Kit (K6) with 6 Gallon Glass Carboy, Gold: Kitchen & Dining

^^$90 bucks, good reviews.

Seriously? Now your daughter is helping in your addiction.

Bro, come on.

[RedskinMike]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

I am going to start home brewing.

I need some kind of activity for me and my daughter to do during the next few months of winter.

Anyone home brew or have suggestions on a good starter kit?

Im thinking I just want to get a simple set up and dabble for a few months to see if i like it. then, if i want to pursue it for real, drop a couple hundred on some real equipment. I have decent space in my back utility room/work space area.

Amazon.com: Monster Brew Home Brewing Supp Complete Beer Equipment Kit (K6) with 6 Gallon Glass Carboy, Gold: Kitchen & Dining

^^$90 bucks, good reviews.

$90 is not a bad starting point. Remember this does not come with a kettle. When it comes to a kettle bigger is better. Pay a little more and get at least a 10 gallon kettle because once you start homebrewing you will end up buying one anyway. Homebrewtalk.com is a great board with a wealth of info. Just remember when you buy equipment think big, I would guess homebrewing is going to be up your alley and you will very quickly want to brew as much as you can in each session so go big because you will be buying later anyways. I have been homebrewing for a decade so if you have any questions feel free to ask. Its quite the rewarding hobby.

[MTK]

I helped my Dad make wine when I was a kid. I don't see anything wrong with it myself.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by MTK

I helped my Dad make wine when I was a kid. I don't see anything wrong with it myself.

Its none of my business and I should not have commented. I just think OTM is a great guy that needs some help. Its a little deeper then just making some beer.

[metalskins]

I can't say that I know the process of microbrewing at home. But, to me, it seems like it would be a little more involved than making wine. Maybe it isn't though. My brother-in-law was into wine making for a little while. At one point, he had considered opening a vineyard, but decided against it.

I've become such a craft beer snob now, that I almost can't even stomach the taste of Coors or Budweiser anymore.

[BDBohnzie]

A buddy of mine homebrews and has used the internet for a lot of guidance and help.

OTM, I'd find some homebrew sites and boards and post up there and see what they say. Unfortunately, I haven't done any myself. My expereince stems from watching every episode of Brew Dogs on Esquire Network

My wife has talked about wanting to do it. So the next few batches my buddy makes, we're going to go and help.