Chris O'Neill | July 14, 2009
Now is the time I have started experimenting with batches of beer. Previously I’ve only changed very small variables in the brewing process, such as extra dry hopping or flavour additives. The vision I have for this beer is a cream ale with very intense flavour and a higher than usual alcohol percentage [...]
Chris O'Neill | July 14, 2009
My latest drinkable batch is an Extra Special Bitter. I am really enjoying this one, almost as much as my very popular Irish Red Ale. This is a great traditional British bitter ale that I am enjoying both chilled and at room temperature just the same. It has a delicious hoppy taste [...]
Chris O'Neill | May 30, 2009
I will be bottling my latest batch of beer soon, an Irish Red Ale. This is my second time making this recipe and it’s at the top of my (and many friends’) list for being a favorite beer. I wrote a commentary on the previous batch a while ago.
Here is the all grain [...]
Chris O'Neill | April 25, 2009
While writing this, I am starting a batch of vanilla brown ale. My vision for this beer is to have a traditional full bodied brown ale with the added refreshment of vanilla, ready right for the beginning of summer.
Here’s the recipe (all grain):
10 lbs 2-row pale malt
1 lb Barley flakes
0.5 lbs Chrystal malt
0.5 lbs [...]
Chris O'Neill | April 13, 2009
This Saturday I started a batch of Hefeweisen (German wheat ale) with my friend John. If we stick to the 1,2,3 rule we will start drinking this in early June, as this is a perfect Summer beer.
Sidebar: The 1,2,3 rule goes as follows: The beer is fermented in the primary (bucket) for 1 week. Then [...]
Chris O'Neill | April 10, 2009
I’m sitting in Boston Pizza drinking a Rickards Red and thinking about how it compares to the Irish Red Ale I just brewed. Thought I’d pull out the iPhone and let the world know.
The main similarity is the body and base flavour are quite close, of course both being red ales. What sets [...]
Chris O'Neill | March 27, 2009
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged since I’ve been busy brewing and drinking beer. Here’s an update on what’s been going on.
I have only 1 bottle of the espresso stout left, which is sad. I will have to make more soon. The problem is this beer is such a (delicious) novelty and everyone wants [...]
Chris O'Neill | February 25, 2009
The batch of espresso stout is one week in the bottle and I have dipped in for a taste. Typically I wait at least 2-3 weeks in the bottle until I consider it ready to drink, but I wanted to see how the flavour and carbonation are developing along the way – with a pleasant [...]
Chris O'Neill | February 19, 2009
Yesterday I bottled the batch of espresso stout. I was blown away by the depth and complexity of flavour – can’t wait for the carbonation to kick in and make some delicious black and tans with my other batch of pale ale.
This blog is dedicated to making your own beer. What's more satifying than taking grain, water, hops, and yeast with your own hands and brewing delicious beer?