Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Smoked Maple Nut Brown

I checked the gravity today and it is still 1.018.  Aroma of smoke, nuts, and some light maple.  Flavor is semi-sweet upfront, then mellow smoke, and a slight bitterness before the nutty finish.  Added a little more maple syrup to increase the maple flavor.  I think it is coming along nicely.  I"ll post again at bottling, another week to 10 days out.
CHEERS!
   

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Specialty Hard Cider Update

Well, still slightly cloudy and the airlock float is to the top of the airlock.  I'll let it age until it clarifies more and the airlock float drops.  No taste test or gravity test at this time as it seems to be stable 1.004.  I will take a gravity reading at bottling.
CHEERS!

Smoked Maple Nut Brown

Racked to secondary today onto 8 fl oz of Dark Amber Maple Syrup.  Gravity is 1.018 currently which places ABV at 6.8%.  Aroma of rich, nutty, smoke.  A light flavor of smoke up front followed by a nutty, malty, richness.  Tastes slightly astringent at this point which is to be expected at one week.  Hops bitterness is low at 25 IBU.  This will need some conditioning time in the bottle.
CHEERS!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Specialty Hard Cider update

Another week has passed and the yeast is still in suspension.  Gravity check was 1.004, which is where it has stabilized.  I think I'll wait one more week before bottling.  The sample looked almost clear with a very slight haze.  Flavor was good, red apple flavor up front with cinnamon and clove on the slightly tart finish. Tasty!
CHEERS!

Smoked Maple Nut Brown Ale

Brew day today.  It is raining mixed with snow.  Decided to add a little smoked malt to my maple nut brown to change it up a little.  Mash and boil smelled amazing!  Projected gravity is 1.059.  Measured is 1.070.  Wow that maple syrup added some major sugar!)  I used Briess Smoked Malt (30% of my grist),  but I'm wondering if it might be too light on the smoke?  I'll be adding some dark amber maple syrup to the boil as well as to secondary (if needed).
CHEERS!      

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Specialty Cider update

I checked the cider today and it is still hazy.  Gravity check yielded 1.004, placing ABV at 8.66%.  Hasn't changed since secondary.  I'll leave it in the fermenter longer to allow clearing.  Color is light amber.  Aroma of apple, cinnamon, and clove.  Flavor of apple, slight tartness, and cinnamon and cloves on the finish.  This is proving to be a tasty cider.
CHEERS!    

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Specialty Cider update

The cider is starting to clear nicely. Took a sample for tasting today.  Aroma of apple and cinnamon.  Flavor of sweet apple, with slight cinnamon and a hint of clove on the finish.  The yeast I used on this batch seems to be leaving some residual sugars behind.  Still has a week or two to go for clearing, then I'll let it bottle condition.  This one is shaping up nicely.  
CHEERS!