Beer is My Poison » stout

What’s the next brew?

Steve Jamesson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:26:47 +0000

So I’ve brewed about ten batches at this point, but I’ve yet to brew one at my own house, with my own facilities. Of course, my kitchen sucks, so maybe it’s better this way.

I’m getting to the point where I’d like to be a bit more experimental. I’ve brewed a good handful of the recipes in my local home brew store‘s little recipe book, but I’m ready to start adding my own touches. Those brews taste generally the same, and I’m realizing that I can pick-out the flavor of the Northwestern malt syrup used in each batch.

So what’s next for me? I’m not so sure yet, but I’d like to brew something for the winter, let it condition for a good while. Maybe I’ll take on an oatmeal porter or stout, maybe an octoberfest or marzen.

I’m definitely not quite ready to start making my own malts, so I’ll just have to stick with the syrups for now.

Dark Starr Stout by Starr Hill

Steve Jamesson — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:39:08 +0000

Starr Hill Dark Starr Stout

Dark Starr Stout was much better than their IPA, but again, I’m not much of an IPA fan. Thankfully, the stout was rich enough to wash away the lingering pang of my tired over-hopped throat.

This stout was pretty rich, a bit malty, and with a nice texture. The color was very dark, with that brown head that just looks nice and greasy.

Went down well, though it was a slight bit acidic for its color. I liked it, and I would drink it again. It’s not bad, not incredible, but it’s a better bet than their Northern Lights IPA.

Bison Brewery Sampling: Chocolate Stout, IPA, Barley wine

Steve Jamesson — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:53:12 +0000

I went up to Bruisin’ Ales for a sampling of a few Bison Brews, including their Chocolate Stout, IPA, and Barley wine.

Bison Brewing Chocolate Stout

I started out with the Chocolate Stout, and it had a fairly weak smell to me. I smelled a bit of chocolate, but nothing that punched me in the face. It’s got a nice balance of chocolate, stout, and general beer flavor, but it just wasn’t quite punchy enough to remember.

Bison Brewing IPA

Now, granted that I’m not a huge IPA fan, Bison’s India Pale Ale was not so bad. It had a nice light color, it was clear, and the aroma was wholesome, organic, and grassy.

The taste was light, a nice hop flavor that wasn’t overbearing like normal IPAs. The aftertaste was a bit rough for me, though, a bit too lingering.

Barley wine

I didn’t like this, but that’s probably just my tastes. I don’t think I care too much for barley wine in general. So I guess I have no business talking about a barley wine.