More Autumn Beer Goodness

Just finished bottling a Smoked Java Porter and an American Amber so now the brew supply is looking much better....

For the Smoked Java I used my trusty mini-smoker flavored with some apple smoke and put the Munich malt in there for about a half hour.... I stirred it around a few times to look like I knew what I was doing but some of the grains on the bottom still got blown - perfect

For the Java I brewed up a strong french presser of Organic French roast and poured that in the boil pot at the last minute... judging from the green beer, this combo is a keeper even if it is a bit Frenchy.

The other day I was feeling a bit homesick for Salvaggio's goodness, so I made the best imitation possible - The "Tokyo Cheesesteak Sammy" accompanied with an IPA that looks like even heaven approves of.... yummy. For the IPA, just keep on putting in hops and then some more hops until you think you are sure it's gonna be hoppy enough to get to India. Don't overcarbonate so that all those hops can reach out and smack you in the nose hole. Here in Japan they like to serve all beer with bunches of foam - I'm told it's because they like fluffy foam here... I think it's cuz they don't know what they's doin'

I leave you with a few more images of brewday....

The grain mill - Monster Mill 3 roller is fantastic - the hopper is a plant pot... someday I'll build a nicer one, but it works....

First I mash in a big laundry bag inside the strainer basket in the main pot then lift out the strainer... it nests in the smaller pot, then sparge the grains with about 10 - 12 liters of hot water.... it works pretty smooth. "Flying Sparge" sounds way cooler than this explanation and makes good brew.

And the lama says to me "Brewbalewba bla brewbaluh" so I got that going for me which is nice

Fall is a Time for Beers

As you can see by the crowd behind me, the Japanese don't take their Oktoberfest as seriously as - well just about anyone. No wonder Japan ranks a lowly 8th in the world for per capita beer consumption. Well, I was doing my part this last weekend to help out - double vision be damned. The best part about this beer festival was that you were allowed to bring home your glassware if you wanted to - since they required a deposit on the glass when you bought it. Also, the lines were short, the weather was beautiful and the authentic German oompah band kept the party live - The never ending ein, svei, supa prost song is still echoing in my mind -

RIP Patrick Swayze

That's right. Patrick Swayze taught us all a thing or two about awesomeness and cool hair. Now he's gone and all the smack he talked about not being beat by cancer .... well it's a conspiracy. Two of the stars of "The Greatest American Movie of All Time" have passed on in untimely manner this year - almost exactly 20 years to the day since the Cooler had to chill that place out. "We ain't selling drugs, we's sellin alcohol...."

I reccomend that you check out Jeff Healey's album "Mess of Blues" while watching the movie that will remain unnamed with the volume down..... and just feel it bro

Vaya con Dios Swayze

Cerebral Cortex

Which part of the cerebral cortex has been used the most?? I'm not too sure, but I sure am glad to have one.