Batch #198 ~ Hoppy Red Ale ~ brewed November 2019:

I fine-tuned my grain mill, so that I could balance high a.b.v. and normal speed of sparge, so this batch achieves an a.b.v. of 5.75%, using 22# of grain, a good balance.  I used 17# of two-row barley malt and 5# of Caramel 150 malt in the mash, then Centennial leaf and UK Challenger pellet hops in the brew, and Safale T-58 Belgian Ale yeast in the ferment.  I dry-hopped in the secondary carboys with US Fuggle pellets, for a nice red colored, IPA-level hoppiness.

Cheers!
MT

Batch #197 ~ American Pale Ale ~ brewed September 2019:

While planning a bikepacking tour in the Snake River canyon between Oregon and Idaho, my pals and I began to educate ourselves on the history of the area, especially the flight of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribes who did not want to adopt agriculture, but to continue living their wandering, hunting and gathering culture.  Many Nez Perce saw value in the agricultural practices of the homesteaders, and adopted them on land they acquired homesteader titles to, like this Native American farmer.  Hunter gatherer culture was deemed incompatible with agriculture, so it beacme impossible for the US government to envision a way to allow it to continue.  Like slavery in the south, the Native American genocide and land theft is a stain on the history of this country, founded on the ideals of democracy and freedom - but only for some.

This ale is made with only 23# of grain, but so finely ground, that the sparging process was really, really slow, but the final result was an a.b.v. of 7.5%.  Centennial leaf and US Fuggle pellet hops, with Safale US-05 American Ale yeast to ferment, this beer came home with a very smooth and powerful finish.

Cheers!
MT

Batch #196 ~ Rye IPA ~ brewed August 2019:

Named in honor of JD Salinger's landmark work, this "Catcher in the Rye" Rye IPA was brewed with 22# of two-row malted barley, 5# of Rye malt, 12.5 gallons of Basalt tap water, US Fuggle and Sterling hops pellets, Centennial leaf hops, and fermented with Safale S-33 dry ale yeast.  It was dry-hopped after primary fermentation with Horizon pellet hops.  Final a.b.v. = 5.75%

Cheers!
MT