Hop Farm, May 27 2008

I was at the hop farm yesterday evening and everything seems to be doing fairly well. There's something that's enjoying chewing on the vines, especially new growth. Rabbits have been sighted in the area so that's a distinct possibility. The top row (chinook and centennial) typically always reaches the top wire first.
Below is the end of the top row. This is the centennial hop that tends to grow best. It has just started to flower so this should be a good season for centennial. Notice the next hop mound next to the pole that doesn't have a vine long enough to train yet. I'll be checking up on them in a couple of weeks.
Below is chinook! As always, this hop loves it here and starts its season already producing. It should be ready for a first harvest mid July. I can typically continue harvesting until October from these vines. The bottom row is having difficulty establishing itself mainly due to some pest that likes to chew on the first vines.

IPA, May 26 2008

IPA - Brewed May 26th, 2008

5 Gallons, All Grain, Step Infusion Mash, 90 Minute Boil

11lbs. Domestic 2-Row
2lbs. Franco-Belges Munich
1/2lb. Caravienne
3oz. Black Roasted Barley

1.75oz. Homegrown Whole Chinook 60min (everything else is from pellets).
1/2oz. Horizon 11% 30min.
1/4oz. Amarillo 7% 20min.
1 Whirlfloc Tab 20min.
1/2oz. Amarillo 7% 5min.

White Labs, California Ale Yeast

Pictured to the left is the new chiller setup. After the wort drops below 100'F, I start the pre-chiller. Water from the tap enters the first immersion chiller surrounded by ice water. Along with the newly constructed 50' chiller, this setup significantly decreased the time it took to bring the wort under 80'F.

Dusted: The Macallan Fine Oak 10

Finishing a bottle of The Macallan Fine Oak 10 this evening. I'm a fan of scotch, mostly single malts. I'm never dissapointed with Macallan, though they are more expensive than most. The fine oak has great flavor contributed from bourbon and sherry oak casks. I prefer having my scotch neat and though a tad young, the Fine Oak is very light with a great blend of oak and malt. A sip of water brings out the sweetness and complexity of the oak. A dusted bottle means that a replacement is in the future!
Sent from my mobile phone.

Asmara Lager Beer

My wife wanted an adventure to East Africa so we headed to East San Diego! This Eritrean restaurant was very traditional. The food was served as curry-like sauces on these huge pancakes. Using the pancake as a utensil, you scoop or dip everything.They had a couple of East African Beers on the menu so we went for the Asmara Lager. It was light and refreshing pilsner style beer that not necessarily complimented the type of food. The malt flavor is evident of adjuncts but I couldn't quite pinpoint what it might have been. The body and carbonation was on the lighter side as well as the aroma and hop flavor. My wife loved the food so I'm sure we'll go there again. Next time, I'll try the other brew.

Hang Loose Tap Handle

I found this on eBay! This is a Hawaiian carving stated to be from the 60's. I drilled a 1/2" hole in the bottom and installed a threaded insert. eBay has many carved gems that are very inexpensive relative to purchased tap handles. Its also the best place to find used commercial tap handles.

Circa 1960's Hawaiian Hang Loose tap handle.

On the far left of the image below is another example of a cheap but unique tap handle. The tiki figure was picked up at a Hawaiian swap meet for about $2. Soon, I'll replace the oar paddle with a ukulele for a complete Hawaiian tap handle theme.

Mostly a Hawaiian themed tap handles.