Tasting the Jalapeño Saison

2 weeks and 1 day... Time to break open a Jumpin' Jalapeño!

Here's how it went down:

A - light blonde/yellow color. Slightly hazy; head disappears quickly. Good carbonation, small bubbles. No lacing.

S - Sweet, subtle. Light jalapeno essence.

T - Slight Malt, balanced well with the light bittering hops. Jalapeno nice, not overbearing at all; restrained. Finishes with some spice, but only very lightly.

M - very thin. Drinkable.

O - WILL BREW AGAIN!!!!

This one was pretty tasty - I may make it again without the jalapeño; it would make a great farmhouse ale. I can't wait to see how it tastes in another week.

Ol' Ben CMP (Chocolate Maple Porter)

Why not name a beer after my old friend Ben. He's sweet, and friendly, and lots of fun, with a touch of mischief. Here's hoping this beer will be the same.

Brew Name: Ol' Ben CMP (Chocolate Maple Porter)
Date: 9/4/12
Style: Porter
Batch #: 4
Batch Size: 1 gal
Brewer's Friend Session Link

Grain Bill / Extract / Adjuncts
1.2 lb Pale 2-Row malt
0.3 lb Chocolate malt
0.2 lb Caramel / Crystal malt 15L
0.15 lb Black Patent malt
0.51 lb (3/4 cup) Maple Syrup

Mash:
Rest Temp: 152-144 Time: 60 min Vol: 2 quarts
Strike Water Temp: 175' Vol: 1 gal

Sparge time: 60 min Temp: 152-144

Efficiency: 62%
Preboil Volume: 1.25 gal
Preboil Gravity: 1.042

Boil Time: 60 minutes
Anticipated IBUs: 33.81
Hop Schedule:
60 min 0.3 oz Fuggles Pellet
15 min 0.1 oz Fuggles Pellet
post boil: Add 3/4 cup maple syrup
Original Gravity: 1.056

Yeast: Munton's Brewer's Yeast (came with kit)
Starter Size: n/a
Bottling Date:
Final Gravity:
ABV:

Batch #3, Bruxom Blonde

Brew Name: Bruxom Blonde
Date: 8/23/2012
Style: Belgian Blonde Ale
Batch #: 3
Batch Size: 1 gal
Brewer's Friend session link


Grain Bill / Extract / Adjuncts:
1.7 lb Pilsner
0.4 lb Carapils (Dextrine Malt)
0.1 lb Aromatic Malt

Mash:
Rest Temp: 152-144 Time: 60 min Vol: 2 quarts

Strike Water Temp: 175' Vol: 1 gal

Sparge time: 60 min Temp: 152-144

Efficiency: 46% (expected 70)
Preboil Volume: 1.25 gal
Preboil Gravity: 1.033

Boil Time: 60 minutes
Anticipated IBUs: 20.63
Hop Schedule:
60 min 0.083 oz Styrian Goldings Pellet
30 min 0.083 oz Styrian Goldings Pellet
15 min 0.083 oz Styrian Goldings Pellet

post boil: n/a
Original Gravity: 1.037 (expected 1.056)

Yeast: Fermentis / Safale - Safbrew - General/Belgian Yeast S-33
Starter Size: n/a
Bottling Date:
Final Gravity:
ABV:

Notes: I don't know why this one was so inefficient - unless it was because I followed the instructions for sparging and only ran the wort through the grain once....

8/30/12 - SG @ 1.025
9/02/12 - SG @ 1.020