Sorry to anyone who looks forward to reading up on what I'm doing! I've been really busy lately; between getting brewing on the go, a quick trip to Mexico and work I have been hard pressed to find time to write! I just posted a handful of beer reviews for you cerveza fans out there, and will be writing a review on a fantastic authentic taqueria we stopped into in Playa del Carmen.
As for the brewhouse, which is yet unnamed (please feel free to make suggestions), we are moving along quite nicely. We jumped into the most advanced style of home beer brewing, known as AG or all grain. In this style, we are the ones responsible for steeping the grains and creating the wonderfully syrupy, flavorful substance known as wort, which we ferment to make beer. In brewing, other than AG, homebrewers rely on powdered or concentrated extracts to create their wort. However convenient, extract brewing simply results in an inferior product and less control over the final result. AG brewing, is unfortunately much more time consuming and difficult to master. In our first batch we encountered a problem in our wort making, but never realized it. We diagnosed the problem as a fermentation issue, which it wasn't, and took the wrong steps to fix it. The final result ended up tasty nonetheless, but a bit heavier than we intended. Batches 2 and 3, were brewed before we noticed that the problem was actually with our mashing (making of the wort) rather than with the yeast (fermentation). Batch 2 was bottled without creating a fix, and batch 3 was treated with a stopgap measure that we felt would improve our final product. With any luck, both will turn out enjoyable, with minor blemishes. Batch 4 is thus far a tremendous success, our mashing problem has been solved and our beers are now coming along brilliantly! Batch 5 is to be brewed this week, as well as a small batch of gluten free cider for my girlfriend. For those of you who are interested, our status is as follows:
Batch 1: Alphabeer, American Pale Ale, Bottled and Carbonated
Batch 2: Unnamed, Weizen, Bottled and Carbonating
Batch 3: Unnamed, Oak Aged Imperial Stout, Secondary Fermentation
Batch 4: Unnamed, California Common 'Steam Beer', Primary Fermentation
Cider: Unnamed, Dry Hopped Cider, Primary Fermentation
Batch 5: Unnamed, Sour Saison, Yet to be Brewed
Batch 6: To be Determined!
Mexico was a lovely trip, great weather, relaxing atmosphere and plenty to do. Aside from attending the wedding and drinking obscene quantities of Dos Equis (which makes me think I should brew a Vienna Lager), we had the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles, go sea kayaking, horseback riding, tour an underground river (cenote), and visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum.
Keep watch for a review of El Fogon!
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