Blog and Gateway

Happy New Year everyone (And Merry Christmas as it has been JUST that long).

What is there to report, but more beer related news and a little bit of general food related news. This winter season brought along the opening of the vanilla cider I made back in 2012. Aged 1 year approx and it has mellowed, but retained its bite. I really encourage people to be careful with how much alchohol they add to their cider because without living yeast there is nothing to change the nature of your beverage. Find that happy medium and stick to some recipes, but never fear to experiment. I ended up with a pretty good flat drink from this little experiment, but ultimately the base of grog.

My Cyser is merrily on its way and a sampling was to be had over the holidays. The honey hit is mellowing, but I anticipate more aging to go before racking off. My recipe thus far has been super simple.

• 2lbs honey
• 1 Gallon Apple Juice
• 1 packet of Red Star Montrachet Yeast

I have 2 gallons fermenting as we speak and I really enjoy the flavor, however if you are not a sweet wine person or a fan of mead like beverages stay away.

I brewed another of the Austin Homebrew Supplies limited edition beers. This time it was a White Stout. I do not have anything to report on this little brew for the moment, but I will return with the bill and tasting notes later. Suffice to say it is suppose to be light of color with the mouthfeel and body of a stout. The coffee tang comes from actual coffee beans dark roasted and throw in for 5 minutes during aroma hop phase.

Final note is less so brewing, but I gained my first Kitchenaid Mixer! Hooray! With that I plan to mill some grain, and already I have begun baking some bread. Below are some pictures of my Honey Oat Loaf… along with my total lack of scoring so it cracked =( .

I am going to shoot to post a little more this year as well as expand some of my other hobbies into this blog. Either way it goes I hope you all enjoy my journey and here is to more of the same in the future!

Happy brewing and Happy New Year!