20081114: Egads!

I haven't brewed since the end of July. EGADS! I've already got my next two recipes that are sitting around waiting for me to get busy again.

Since the last brew, I've gotten the feedback from the Austin Zealot's Inquisition, the Alamo City Cerveza Fest, and the Dixie Cup in Houston. I entered various beers in each contest. I'm at least hitting a consistent "good" rating. But good doesn't win me ribbons. There are a few of the comments on the judged beers that keep coming back: fermentation temperature control and water quality. Some beers may have sanitation issues in bottling. I'm about ready to tackle those two items. First, I need to get rid of my second vehicle, a '72 Ford Bronco. I could just kick it out of the garage and put a cover on it. Then I can get a few more chest freezers with temperature controllers and go to town. I'd want one for fermentation, another for lagering, and maybe a third for storing bottled beers and kegs that are waiting for room in the kegerator.

It's about time to get my kegerator worked up with a collar and put the taps for the kegs on the outside. First things first though.

Since my double chocolate beers are pretty damn good the way they are, I should brew that one next. It will be brew #97. I'm just wanting brew #100 to be special somehow. Closing in on it soon.

Enough meanderings...