Keeping It Real

Okay, I just got back from the homebrew shop.  I know I said Happy New Year and all that, but one last thing came across my mind.  If I'm really going to do a year of beer I need to be true to how I'm going to make it.

I'm establishing three rules for myself:

1. All the beers will be made primary from barley, hops, water, and yeast.  Extracts and other sugars will be used were appropriate for the style.
2. I'll try to make all the beers as close to the original style as possible.
3. Where I have to use ingredients other than barley, hops, water and yeast it will only be because the beer style requires it.

 Once again, Happy New Year!

What To Brew First

Even the BJCP list has way to many options to choose from, but I thought about it a little and what I'm really interested in is beer so...that's were I'll start.  The BJCP list has meads and ciders and although I like both,in a year of beer, I don't see a place for them.

Now I need a beer to start brewing. It's cold in Texas.  Lagers seem like the natural choice. Plus, if I don't brew them now, it's going to be a real pain to get 'em done once it gets hot down here.

Time for trip to the homebrew shop before it closes.  More tomorrow.  Happy New Year!

Deciding What Beer To Make

Okay, after some research I found thousands of styles of beer to make. I need just fifty two.  Until now, all I've made has been based on what I like to drink.

Keeping with the homebrew theme, I thought there's got to be some kind of descriptive style guide. Being a regular dude, I only have 52 weeks. I don't have the money, resources, or time to make anything more. It was then I found the BJCP.

The BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) is an organization who's mission "is to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer..." what's not to love. They also maintain a beer style guide that I'll be using to pick the list from.

Now a little consultation with the significant other and soon we'll have a list.

Year of Beer

I came home all excited from work today. Everyone makes a new year's resolution at one time.  Mine had to start early.

I've been making beer for almost a year now , but I felt my progress as a brew maker was at a snails pace.  Sure, I've made 14 5 gallons batches of beer this year. I made tons of friends this year (free homebrew will do that), but I felt there was something missing in my search for beer knowledge.

During a lull at work I had this idea. This wonderful idea. This wonderful brilliant idea.  (Sorry, about that. Grinch moment.  It happens.) To expand my brewing knowledge I would attempt to make 52 different styles of beer in one year.

Okay. Sanity check. I ran through the numbers.

This would be:

- 50 12oz bottles per batch.
- At least 10 hours a week in addition to my normal job, activities...you get the picture.
- About $20 to $30 bucks for ingredients per batch.

Fellas, I recommend this highly. I went home to check with the Mrs to see if this would be okay...time for the brewing to being, but what beers should I choose...