Batch #153 ~ Holiday Pale Ale

This is my 9th and final batch of ale for 2015.  Brewed outdoors on the 25th of November, this pale ale was infused in the mash stage with a single ounce of crushed juniper berries, just to see how the flavor would emerge as a trial run, before I commit to an infusion on another batch of ale, of double or triple that amount of juniper.  Juniper berries are the main spice in Gin, and I'm curious to see if they will be a welcome addition to a glass of ale.  First taste of the kegged ale is very promising.

We're just now heading into the "Winter Blossom" season, during which I prune our fruit trees and bring the fruit-bud covered branches indoors, to "force blossoms" in a vase of water.  This photo is of cherry blossoms, taken last March, about two months before the tree itself bloomed.

Cheers, and Happy Holidays to All!
MT

Batch #152 ~ Baltic Porter

This porter is my first attempt at a carefully timed Winter brewing session on the front porch of our home, where the sun, for about 4 hours, raises the temperature of air in the open porch to around 12 - 15° above the ambient daytime temp.  This means that when we have a sunny day in Winter, when the ambient outdoor temp is anywhere near 50°, I can brew beer on the front porch.  I tried it with this batch on November 13, and with the next batch #153, on November 25, both meeting with success.  This Porter came out tasting very fine, with an alcohol level of  4.5%.

We're all pretty happy with it, must say.

Cheers!

MT