Batch #127 - Marmot Mountain Pale Ale

We must have been intruding on his territory, Jan and I, when on July 4th we hiked over the Continental Divide from Independence Pass to Blue Lake, for some trout fishing.  This Marmot was not at all shy, and came to within a few feet of me when we stopped to rest on the ascent.  I snapped a few photos of "Curious George" and gave him the honor of gracing the last pale ale of the Summer.
Here's to You, George!
MT

Batch #126 - Saison Farmhouse Ale

In celebration of farming as a revered calling, I offer this Belgian Saison Farmhouse Ale.  Citris notes, compliments of Munich and Vienna malted barley, as well as Cascade and Simcoe leaf hops.
I selected this painting by Maryanne Jacobsen to grace this label, because she has so beautifully captured the charm of a French barn beyond a field of sunflowers.
Cheers!
MT

Wonderful Diversion - Valhalla!

Before I post labels for another couple of batches of summer ale, I'd like to share a little preview from a few young friends, whose "Signatures" and "Solitaire" skiing art films have made me smile. I'd like to introduce "Sweetgrass Productions" film "Valhalla", coming in 2013:

On The Road Episode XII - Two Years, Five Winters from Sweetgrass Productions on Vimeo.

Batch #125 - Summer Pale Ale

I admit that I'm a fan of bicycle road racing, and this July is the 99th annual Tour de France.  I'll catch up on my sleep in August!  Last year, British rider Bradley Wiggins crashed out of the Tour, but this year he came back with a well trained Team Sky, including great British riders Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish, to not only win the overall race, but to make history as the first British team to win this prestigious Bike race.  On Saturday July 28, they will race again in the London Olympics, hoping for a 2012 sweep of the best prizes in bicycle racing. Go Team Sky!
Summer must have at least one Batch of Pale Ale, and this is the first one.  Before the Summer gets away from us, I'll have to brew another!

MT

Batch #124 - The Mudman Returns!

What's a Summer without some good Bitter Brown Ale?  For this batch, I've resurrected the "Mudman" label from Batch #95, back in 2009, as well as the recipe.  In spite of the distasteful label, the beer is very tasty!

MT

Batch #123 - Fire Roasted Pumpkin Ale

My 2011 backyard pumpkin crop, shown in Batch #119 below, had to be pretty widely given away because I ended up with 9 pumpkins,  180 pounds worth, of the two varieties I planted.  I saved 50 pounds of charcoal roasted pumpkin flesh, frozen in 5-pound bags, to use for the next couple of years before I need to think about planting another crop.
I saved the seeds from two heirloom pumpkins, a "Cinderella" variety and a "Lakota Sioux" variety (in this label), that I found in a couple different farmers markets in 2009, and grew them out last year, enough pumpkin to take care of pies, beer and soup for awhile.
Yum.

Batch #122 - Homebrewers Ball STOUT

The Roaring Fork HAMs Homebrewers Club brewed 12 batches of beer and served it at our annual Homebrewers Ball in May 2012, this year for the Sopris Barracudas Swim Club.  The Club is a non-profit made up of many parents supporting their kids to engage in competitive swimming with other Clubs around the Rocky Mountain region.  This Stout is my contribution to the Swim Team's fundraiser, and it was a success for them.

Diana Nyad is a world champion distance swimmer, whose exploits you can view at:
http://diananyad.com/
http://www.facebook.com/DianaNyad

She hopes to fulfill a longstanding fream to swim from Cuba to Florida during Summer of 2012.  I dedicate this Batch to honor Diana's dedication to her dream.

Go Diana!