Yellow Pig Porter*

Mmmmm. So we turned our attention to a porter this weekend. The grains were a mix of chocolate and caramel which held our attention with dizzying ease. This one seemed to come along very smoothly; the process that is. I stuck, generally, to the called-upon recipe from Midwest Supplies. However, as is my wont, I did increase the addition of the Tettnang hops at 60 minutes from 1.5 ounces to 2. Threw in an ounce of Williamette at 2 minutes. I finally remembered to include a clarifying tablet at 20 minutes. I always forget those things. Not this time though. Maybe I was just on my game. Who knows. Anyway, I added a half-jar, about 8 oz I guess, of raw honey at 10 minutes.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. The SG came in at 1.066. The recipe called for 1.062-1.067, so we're on fire there. I'm going to let this guy settle into its primary for probably 3 weeks, maybe 4, but probably 3. I'm not sure whether we'll go to a secondary for another couple weeks or not. No hurry on that decision though. I'll ruminate on it for a bit.

*Yellow Pig Porter may or may not be the name on the label. Any ideas?

UPDATE:
So, we transferred the porter to a secondary this past weekend. The FG measured 1.02; a bit higher than the 1.016 that we were anticipating. Our ABV is a portly 6%. A nice number for an easy drinking porter. A couple weeks in secondary, then we'll bottle the Yellow Pig Porter.

Dancing Lou Brewery (formerly Licking Retriever Brewery)

Changing of the Season

Another season of wishing for a freak snow storm in Ocean Beach is almost past.  Not too late though.  Still a chance right? At least it's not too late for one more winter beer.  Went with a Northern Brewer kit this time, a Peace Coffee Stout Porter Extract Kit.  I feel like I'm cheating a little with everything all nicely measured out for me, but if this is a tasty Stout that looks like this:

I'll get over it.

The kit surprised me... it came with the coffee!  I'll see what it's like.  I am planning to increase the amount of coffee, and maybe add some chocolate too.

Got a head start on Spring as well.  A simple American Wheat kit.  First one in a while that has no specialty grains, so it kind of feels like a step back.  The ladies love a good wheat though, so who am I to question?

Also added a new toy to the mix: a yeast starter kit.  Basically a beaker for doing mad scientist yeast experiments.  The idea is activating the yeast before brewing is better.  Cuts down time till the yeast gets to eating the sugar, keeping bad guys from getting there first.  BWAHHAHAHHAAA!!! (evil mad scientist laugh)

- Holmestarr Brewing Coop