Sunday, March 30, 2014

Jose's Jalapeno Wheat

Tasting - I swirled the bottle gently to mix the yeast into the beer.  It pours a hazy deep golden color with a quickly dissipating white head.  (Might be due to wax on the jalapenos as I used store bought this round.) Aroma of fresh green jalapeno.  Medium body with flavors of sweet malt with a smooth mouthfeel, fresh green jalapeno, and a nice little rush of heat that hits in the back of the throat.  Not too hot, but definitely noticeable.  (Makes me want to keep coming back for more!)  I introduced this beer to some family members that don't drink craft beer, namely my youngest brother Keith and my 2nd cousin Gabe, and they both enjoyed it!
CHEERS!








Hard Cider update

Racked to secondary today onto 1 oz broken cinnamon sticks and 4 whole cloves that were soaked in spiced rum.  Gravity check was at 1.004, placing ABV at 8.66%.  Aroma of fresh apples.  Taste of slightly sweet apples giving way to a clean tart apple finish.  I like the flavor of the cider overall better than the experimental batches which seemed to have more esters/phenols leaving a mineral-like finish.  This cider finishes clean which to me is a lot more palatable.  We'll see where the spices take it in a week or more.
CHEERS!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Hard Cider (6 Gal Batch)

I decided I am going for it and finally making a 6 gallon batch of hard cider.  I brewed a couple of experimental 1 gallon batches utilizing a dessert wine yeast with success.  This time I am using a wine yeast that is better for cider.  They both turned out good and the second batch is carbonating.

Starting OG on this batch is 1.070, which should place it in the 9% ABV region.  My wife says she prefers the higher alcohol version better, so that is what I am going for.  I don't know where this yeast will go yet as it is a different strain than I was experimenting with.  I do like the fact that there is no boil involved, though I did heat a half gallon to liquefy my sugars, but not higher than 165F.  I have some ideas to flavor it in secondary.   I'll keep you posted on my new venture.
CHEERS!

Monday, March 17, 2014

Jose's Jalapeno Wheat

Bottled tonight with an FG of 1.012, placing ABV at 4.98%.  (There was a little sugar in those jalapenos.)   Aroma of fresh green jalapeno.  Flavor of smooth slightly sweet, nutty malt, fresh jalapeno, then a a nice tingly heat after swallowing. I don't find it too hot.   Makes me want to keep going back for more.  This batch definitely has more bite than the prior one I brewed.  Can't wait until it's carbonated!
CHEERS!    

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Jose's Jalapeno Wheat

Taste test this evening as this weekend got away from me.  Sometimes life gets in the way.  Aroma of fresh green jalapenos.  Flavor of fresh green jalapenos with a slightly grainy/nuttiness, finishing with a mild to moderate heat from the jalapenos.  I will bottle within a day or two as I am awaiting a little more clarity.  I like this one already!  Carbonated it will be even better!
CHEERS!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Jose's Jalapeno Wheat

Quick tasting update:  Aroma of fresh green jalapeno peppers.  Flavors of fresh green jalapenos, smooth wheat beer, and a slightly spicy finish.  I don't think it is going to get too spicy.  I'll check again in three days.  The yeast is starting to drop out of suspension and the beer is starting to clear.  As for the citrus flavor, it is diminished from what I can tell.

CHEERS!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Jose's Jalapeno Wheat

Racked onto 14 oz fresh green jalapeno peppers today after 6 days in primary with no activity in the airlock. gravity.  (The gravity is 1.016, right where it should be, placing the ABV at 4.46%.)  I Took the gravity sample after racking onto the peppers to get a "hint" of the jalapeno flavor.  I already have the aroma of fresh green jalapeno with a smooth slightly nutty wheat beer profile.  I am also detecting at this time some slight citrus notes, not sure if it is from the jalapenos or the yeast.  (I used Fermentis T-58.  I love this yeast for wheat beers.)  This should prove to be a tasty brew!  It's one of my favorites!  I think I'll have to keep checking on the heat level though as I just taste sampled a slice of jalapeno and it did have quite a bite!  I want some heat, but not too much.  If the heat level gets to where I want it before next weekend, I'll have to rack to tertiary so it doesn't get too hot.  Here is pic of the sliced jalapenos floating on the wheat beer.  It is hazy, but that is normal and expected for a wheat beer at this point in time.
CHEERS!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Jose's Jalapeno Wheat

Mashed in at 6:45 a.m. with strike water temperature @ 169F for a mash temperature of 156F.  Batch sparged and headed to boil at 8:00 a.m.  Boiled for 90 minutes and measured OG is 1.050. ( Just a couple points shy of of projected, 1.052.)  The mash bill consisted of pale wheat, dark wheat, and pilsner malts from Weyermann.  I'll be using Fermentis T-58 yeast for its peppery/spicy phenolics, although with the jalapenos it is not very detectable.  Cluster hops for the earthiness/grassiness they bring to the party, also usually undetectable but harmonious with the brew.  IBU's are 27.  Will post again when racking to secondary.
CHEERS!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Jose's Jalapeno Wheat

Brewing tomorrow will be Jose's Jalapeno Wheat.  This is one of my favorite summertime brews!  I create a nice wheat beer following BJCP guidelines, then rack onto fresh jalapeno peppers for secondary.  I've found this creates the fresh green jalapeno aroma and flavor with just enough spiciness.  I've converted a few non-chile beer drinking folk into chile beer drinkers with this one.  I even converted a Bud-Light drinker with this one.  Projected OG will be 1.052.  I'll post up specs after brewing tomorrow.

CHEERS!