Other than those two experiments (which will generate a lot of interesting and hopefully drinkable beer), I want 2014 to be a year where I push the boundaries of my brewing technique and abilities. I want to explore brewing techniques and styles that I have neglected to attempt. Expect to see more “How to” home brew posts this year (how to make candi sugar, how to wash yeast, how to smoke malt…and so on). My biggest goal of the year, I want to brew my first lagers. My lager goals are to brew an Oktoberfest (not just because I want to see my wife in a drindl) and a Helles this year. I have an old fridge that would work as a lagering chamber but currently it does not have a source of electricity nearby. This is my primary goal for this year, get that up and running this spring / summer.
On the blog front, there will be several postings this year from various breweries around the Virgina / Maryland / DC area. There about half a dozen breweries opening in Washington D.C. and surrounding areas in 2014 and about as many opened in 2013. I have had several wonderful opportunities to talk to brewers and brewery owners in the area over the past few months, getting to know them and taste their test batches. I hope to post interviews with some of these people, learn what they’ve been through opening their breweries and bringing their beers to market.
This year will bring a few additional dimensions to the fermentation side of the blog as well. There will be fermented vegetables (sauerkraut and chile peppers), breads, and possibly cheeses (if I get brave enough). There may be a few posts about gardening that sneak in here as well, but I’ll keep those about vegetables headed for fermentation. A little preview of a post coming up in January…I built a smoker out of an old Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel. This is intended as a meat smoker but I definitely will smoke malt in there as well for a couple of smoke beers that are scheduled for 2014. January is going to be a fun month for the blog.
Beers you can expect to see this year from me: Belgian Tripel, Grätzer (smoked hefeweizen), Scotch Ale, Old ale, Chile beer (with home grown chile peppers), Breakfast stout, Witbier, Altbier, Russian Imperial Stout, Kvas (this will be quite the journey, I promise), and several others. The sour program and the high temp vs. low temp mashing batches will continue as well. A busy year with lots of (hopefully) great beer. Happy brewing, enjoy your Christmas Gueuze and I’ll see you in 2014!
Now, trice welcome Christmas, which brings us good cheer; mince pies and plum pudding; strong Ale and strong Beer. – unknown, circa 1700
