BB2IPA(Hop Bomb IPA)

[pantsmachine]

Had a quick look in the FV and looks like someone puked in it.


Strange unfamiliar sweet/sharp smell as well.

They're under starters orders and they're off!!!!!! Into the land of strangeness once more, oh yes!

[pantsmachine]

Now forming into something recognisable. The krausen is noticeably slower to form at these lower temps(currently 8.5 deg) in the garage. Its a bit below US05 given best use range so will be interesting to see how it gets on. At least i'll have plenty of time to dry hop in the 2nd stage of fermentation!

[coatesg]

Looks like it's starting to take hold now

[pantsmachine]

It had, took a Hydro reading this morning and its only dropped 6 points in 2 days. Just goes to show how much the lower temps will affect the yeast. Normally(15 degrees) i would have lost about 20 points by now with US05. Took emergency action and duct taped a heat plate to the side of the conical and loaded it up with loads of blankets etc to retain whatever heat the plate kicks out. Not complaining, i love doing this stuff.

Decided since its going to be a long slow ferment to dry hop from today onwards. Hop of choice is cascade, went with 3 1/2 Oz. Also went with 60grmms of french oak chips. Still can't be arsed to pay for a oak barrel. Maybe next year.

Chips and hops and s/s nut with string sterilising.

Expandahop

Ready for a swim

I like the colour if not the reading

Large patriotic cross dressing fermenter

What i've got to put up with this morning!

[WishboneBrewery]

There's some ugly yeast action!

[pantsmachine]

Like many of my former girlfriends, nae that bonny but does the job!

[WishboneBrewery]

I read that the wrong way then... I was thinking 'Yeast infection, in that Nae that bonny lass'

[pantsmachine]

Ah man, too far!

[WishboneBrewery]

sorry

How's the brew smelling, I quite like the hoppy co2 kick you get when lifting the lid

[pantsmachine]

Smells great, its got the nose hair crinkling co2, alos getting the citrus hop thing as well. I have sat the hydro sample i took off to one side to ferment, easy way to keep an eye on the progress, saves me the hassle of unrugging the fermenter till its nearly done. This is the first time i've bothered to dry hop, normally throw a load it at zero minute and steep. I look forward to the outcome! How goes it with you?

[WishboneBrewery]

If you mean my current brew, the Notts yeast has pretty much dropped clear in the FV, probably bottle Monday.
Maybe I should dry hop, I was wondering whether to do but I'd have to open a fresh pack of Nelson Sauvin... so probably leave it be.

[pantsmachine]

That's the good thing about brewing your own, you can let an idea slide for a few brews until you've got an open packet at the right time. Any of you guys buy the styrian goldings from the guy over in ireland. Bloody good hops, fresh as you'd want.

Pdtnc
Looking forward to hearing what you think of the NZ hops. Internets great sometimes, imagine even thinking you'd be able to brew with hops from all that distance away 10 years ago!

[WishboneBrewery]

yeah small world, if I ever go back to NZ (I was up in Nelson where I presume the hops name comes from? I did 6 weeks all round NZ back in 2005) I'd be searching out a few Micros rather than Bungy jumping! Though you'd really have to do a least a Canyon swing or a Bungy just for the sakes of being there

[pantsmachine]

Drew this off the bottom of the FV this morning. Glad its not in there any more, looks like trub only, no seperate layer in it. Hop aroma off this sample is stunning, lots and lots of citrus with a touch of blackcurrant. Didn't taste it, will do that with next draw off.


On my return this afternoon to help SWMBO to prep xmas dinner(anyone else doing Nigellas ginger bread stuffing this year)?, i came over all christmasy so decided to pop the top on a recent IRS. My wife loves this stuff and i am quite partial to it myself. A belt from the glass ended up(deliberately) in with the sticky red cabbage which is currently reducing. TBH the only reason i mention this in this thread is that both beers are Imperial in name and nature and the realisation that if i didn't brew for a hobby we would not have had as 'much make it yourself' fun type feeling as we had today.

Anyway Merry Christmas to all you brewers out the there and all the best for the New Year in 2010. Oh aye that's another thing, for New Year i am attending a ceillidh in my town hall(Inverurie). Its a bring your own food and drinks type thing. Guess who's going with a big cooler full of his own products to pass round? What a hobby!

[6470zzy]

That IRS in the cobalt bottle looks like a meal unto itself and a good one at that

Happy Christmas