Paul’s Brewsletter

My efforts to homebrew beer against the clock were successful. I was able to brew, bottle and serve a batch of beer in just under two weeks! The beer is a basic pale ale and was pretty warmly received by my coworkers at my company’s annual chili cook-off. Sadly, the dish I prepared didn’t fare as well. Wonder if I can enter my beer as a dish next year? Hmmmm!

I’m planning ahead for the holidays this year. I have ordered and received the ingredients for my traditional cranberry wheat holiday brew. This is always a hit, even among people who don’t typically drink beer. The fruit flavor from the cranberries (FRESH cranberries, mind you) really adds a nice compliment to the wheat beer.

Additionally, I’m considering a Russian Imperial Stout - that one will take several months to complete, per the recipe I’m consulting. I also want to brew one further batch for my brother, who will be going overseas to Iraq in January 2009. I figure I’ll brew the beer and will hold it until he returns.

Did you see my post about the new microbrewery in the New Orleans area? I’m real excited about this, as not only it means a new variety of beer, but maybe a little jolt to the New Orleans economy…something we can all use these days. Well, I’ve outlined my beer plans that will take me through the end of the year. I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

If you would like any of these recipes I’m working on or insider tips on brewing, please sign up for my Spam-less email updates at this link.

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I’m pleased to announce that beginning in January 2009, a new microbrewery for the New Orleans area will begin producing New Orleans’ latest local beer! The microbrewery is called Nola Brewing, and they will be initially offering two varieties of beer: blonde ale and brown ale.

Also, if you’re in the Metairie or Greater New Orleans Area, there will be a beer tasting taking place at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie on Friday October 24th. The event is called “Up on the Roof” and will feature a large selection of beers along with food and some music! Proceeds from this event benefit the EJGH Foundation. Check this website for more details and admission prices: http://www.nolabrewing.com/news.htm

I’ve finished the primary fermentation for my most recent batch, so I still have a fighting chance for getting it ready by Thursday October 9th! The beer is a West Coast Pale Ale, and alcohol content by volume came out to 3.13%. This beer will be drank mostly at a chili cook-off, so I’m not looking for high alcohol since that would overpower the flavor of the food (not good!) I used two 2-liter bottles and twelve 12 ounce bottles in bottling this batch.

It is hard to say if this beer will be ready by 10/9, but I’ve been looking at the bottles periodically and notice the beer is starting to turn clear. In case you’re wondering what I’m blabbering about, one of the tell tale signs of when your beer is close to being ready is the beer in the bottle will clear up so you can see your hand clearly through the other side.

Of course, this doesn’t apply to your Hefe, or wheat beers. And the really dark stouts and porters will be tougher to tell clarity, but you should still be able to.

I’ve decided to start sending out emails with my favorite beer recipes and beer specials to anyone who is interested. If you are, click this link: beer ezine. I promise you’ll ONLY get email on beer related topics from me, so don’t worry!

I’ll be tending to the beer and let you know how it goes next week! I’m going to be brewing a bit during the fall, getting ready for the holiday season. I’ll pop in on you from time to time to let you know how it is going.

Happy brewing!
Paul

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Are you interested in home brewing? Would you like to try some of the recipes I’m going to be working on in the coming months? I invite you to sign up for my periodic updates via email by entering your information below.

I plan on including beer recipes, special beer offers and anything else I think you might be interested in as long as it is beer related. Its like that Heineken commercial said: “It’s all about the beer!”

Let me be clear on something: I despise spam and will NOT give or sell your email address to anyone! You can feel safe registering here knowing that I will only use your email to send you beer related emails.

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on beer
• Dog Beer. Beer. but for dogs…
• Beer Exposed
• Homemade Soda
• Another Beer

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• Had a first beer from the homebrew