Final Holidaze (for now)…tip for checking fruit freshness
The final two batches of Holidaze have begun. This batch will probably be ready in time for the Mardi Gras season, which officially begins on January 6, 2007 this year. I made this as a double barrel batch again. The specific gravity measurements were almost exactly the same:
Batch 1: 1.034
Batch 2: 1.036
The batch that I originally intended to have for New Year’s will instead be unveiled this weekend at a party my wife and I are attending. These are friends of ours who were interested when I mentioned I made homebrew beer (imagine that :)) I’ll be giving them the 7.35% alcohol by volume beer, should make for an interesting impression.
Here’s a tip for those of you making beer with fresh fruit like cranberries - you can easily check the freshness of the cranberry by dropping it from a few inches onto a plate or other smooth clean surface. If the cranberry bounces, it is fresh. If it does not bounce at all - discard it.
My thanks to those who have responded to my survey about homebrew beer - if you haven’t already, please take a look at this site and submit your question. I’ll send everyone who completes the survey a copy of a beer e-book when I complete it.
I’m having a hankering for some stout and I’ve also been requested to make some beer for a housewarming party (probably something on the lighter side for that one) - that will be my next blog post, coming soon.
Until then, happy brewing!
Paul