Happy Holidays

NU Volleyball

Yesterday we had our work poker night. I don't really follow NU volleyball (apparently they got edged out of the final four last night) but many of my coworkers do. One coworker, who is really into it, decided that he'd rather go home and watch the game than stay and play cards. Long story short - we've been giving him a hard time today, as some of the players stopped by our little party for some cheer and beer after the game.

xmas tree

finally got it up

Holiday Gift 12-Pack - Holiday Porter

I apologize for missing last week. I had a cold and consequently my taste buds were not working properly. So I will have to do 2 next week to get them done in time before xmas.

This week I tried the Holiday Porter. Porter yes / Holiday maybe. It was a good porter. I could definitely taste the chocolate malt that they used, but that was the only nonbeer flavor I got out of it - so if by Holiday they mean chocolate then I guess the name fits. All the same it wasn't overly chocolately - just a hint. Good mouthfeel, moved across the tounge like sandpaper. Good balance, robust but not thick, light enough to be able to drink a few. All in all a descent beer.

Holiday Gift 12-Pack - Cranberry Lambic

The tasting continues, this time with the Cranberry Lambic. After reading the description on the bottle, which described it as more or less a wheat beer with cranberry juice and after hearing from others about this beer - I went in with low expectations. The beer had that phenolly smell I associate with belgian beers, especially the lambics. The taste on the other hand was not what I expected. It was almost creamy / fruity but not overpowering. I only really noticed a subtle cranberry flavor on the back of the tounge and in the aftertaste. The body was lighter like a good wheat beer, but without the normal yeastyness. If pushed to describe the mouthfeel I'd go for tangy. Color => Red. I liked it, could easily drink a 6er, but probably wouldn't seek it out as I am not a big lambic fan, and I prefer NB frambozen over this.

Holiday Ale

After sitting in the fermentor for roughly 2wks, I bottled my Holiday Ale. I'm excited - I think it's really going to turn out. The shot below is after siphoning from the fermentor. There was so much foaming during respiration that a thick layer stuck to the sidewalls and is still soaking off in my kitchen. I only got 45 bottles from the batch, which puts the volume of lost beer closer to 2 quarts - oh well.

Of course, the volume of lost beer should easily be made up by the alcohol content. I'd put this one near 7% abv. and you could smell it. Initial taste test suggests it is going to be a very flavorful beer - could definitely taste the spices. Cleared up suprisingly well too. Should be ready just in time for christmas.