Brewing a best-of-show-worthy beer

It’ll soon be time to crown the latest Homebrewer of the Year and give the accolades he or she deserves. If you’ve got your eye on winning competitions and one of these years taking home the HotY award, you can learn a few things from last year’s winner, Brad Clifford.

Brad provided us with the secret details of his Great Canadian Homebrew Conference Best of Show winner. If you’re working on your brewing skills, you can learn a lot from Brad and our many other award winners. But for now, check out the recipe for Brad’s award-winning beer:

Clifford’s Dortmunder X

Recipe Specs:
All-grain batch
Batch size: 6 gallons
Total grain: 13.25 lbs
Anticipated OG: 1.053 (13.0 ºP)
Anticipated FG: 1.012 (3.0 ºP)
Anticipated SRM: 5.0
Anticipated IBU: 28
Brewhouse efficiency: 75%
Wort boil time: 90 minutes

Malts:
10lb Weyermann Pilsner
3lb Weyermann Munich
4oz Carafoam

Hops:
German Hallertauer (pellets) – 1.5 oz (6%AA) – 60min (25 IBU)
German Hallertauer (pellets) – 0.5 oz (6% AA) – 10 min (3 IBU)

Yeast:
WLP 830 German Lager

Conduct a single infusion mash in approx 5.5 gallons holding the mash temp at 150° F (66° C) for 60 minutes then sparge to collect roughly 6.5 gallons of wort. Boil for 30 min before adding the first hops. Add 1.5 oz of Hallertauer hops for bittering at 60 minutes. With 10 minutes left in the boil add 0.5 oz of Hallertauer hops. Also add 1 tablet of Whirfloc (or Irish Moss) and 2.5 grams of Calcium Chloride during the last 15 min of boil. As soon as the boil is finished rapidly chill down to 68° F (I use an Immersion Wort Chiller). Transfer the cooled wort to a sanitized carboy and pitch yeast (starter recommended!). Aerate by shaking the hose going into the carboy and then by vigorously shaking the carboy for 5-10 min.

Ferment around 62° F (16.5° C) to 65° F (18° C). Cooler fermenting temperatures (55° F (12.5° C) are more ideal if you have the ability to control temp. A large storage container filled with an ice water bath will work fine though in keeping the temp low for the first 3-4 days of fermentation. Top up with ice a few times a day and take a temp reading. Ferment in primary for a minimum of 10 days allowing temp to rise to room temp for the last few days (diacetyl rest). Transfer to keg and chill down to 55° F – slowly force carbonate on 10psi for 5-10 days before serving. Aim for around 2.5 volumes of CO2. The longer the beer is allowed to lager and mature in the keg the better it will taste. The yeast should also drop out and the beer will clear in the keg. Bottle from keg and place some bottles in fridge for extended lagering. Crack a DAB, the original Dortmunder Export, and do a taste test comparison!

Evening with a Brewer – Feb 15 2013 @ The Rhino

CABA 2012 Anything Goes Competition Winners

The CABA 2012 Anything Goes Competition went spectacularly well, with homebrewers submitted a total of 132 entries from across the country. Thanks to everyone who entered, and congratulations to all of the winners.

CABA would like to thank all of the BJCP judges who took part in the judging prior to the Great Canadian Homebrew Conference. We’d also like to issue a special thank you to Ken Woods of Black Oak Brewery, who once again volunteered his brewery’s space to host the judging event.

And now for the part you’ve all been waiting for… The winners of the CABA 2012 Anything Goes Competition:

Lagers
Place: Honourable Mention
Entry Name: Clifford’s Dark Lager
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Thirty Years Dunkel
Brewer(s): Jarret Luft

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Riding Lawnmower Lager
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s Dortmunder X
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Bock
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Slippery Pete’s DoppleBock
Brewer(s): Peter Compagne
Club: CABA

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: The Bockmeister
Brewer(s): Zack Weinberg
Club: Durham Homebrew Club

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s 2012 Maibock
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Hybrid
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Kölsch
Brewer(s): Andrew Byer and Tina Schoenwetter
Club: Schönwetter Brewing

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Gumball 3000
Brewer(s): David Thompson
Club: SOB

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Reeds Blonde
Brewer(s): David Reed
Club: SOB

Ale
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Cabot’s Irish Red Ale
Brewer(s): Bryan MacDonald and Andrew Morrow
Club: Brewnosers

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Premium Bitter
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: St. Dames
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 1st
Entry Name: The Mutt
Brewer(s): PJ Rochon

American Ale
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Mash N’Hop
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Hendry’s Pale Ale
Brewer(s): Mike Hendry

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Boulderbrook Brown
Brewer(s): Bryan MacDonald and Andrew Morrow
Club: Brewnosers

English Brown Ale
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Snowman #2 Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Hirsch Goodwin and Kevin Snow
Club: Snowman Brewing

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Backcountry Nut Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Robert George

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s English Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Porter
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Mt. Pleasant Porter
Brewer(s): Zack Weinberg
Club: Durham Homebrew Club

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Session Brown Porter
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Not Yer’ Pops Porter
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Stout
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Cardemon Stout
Brewer(s): Christopher Bourdages
Club: Durham Homebrew Club

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Wide Eyed With Angst
Brewer(s): Henry Pedro

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Ra Ra Rasputin
Brewer(s): David Thompson
Club: SOB

IPA
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Seize the Day IPA
Brewer(s): Zack Weinberg
Club: Durham Homebrew Club

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Gamut Two Pale Ale (2)
Brewer(s): Mathew Payone
Club: GRAB

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Force of the Delta
Brewer(s): James Keddy and Gavin Stewart
Club: Brewnosers

German Wheat/Rye
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Rookie Brew Hefeweisen
Brewer(s): Arif Zia
Club: CABA

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Dunkelweizen
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Reeds Dunkelweisse
Brewer(s): David Reed
Club: SOB

Belgian/French Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: White City Belgian IPA
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Shandy Sands
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s Saison
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Sour Ale
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: The Thing In The Bucket
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Berliner Weisse
Brewer(s): Scott Hunter

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Framboise Sour
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Belgian Strong Ale
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Qwantz
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Spring Blooming
Brewer(s): Yii-Jen Tien

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Slippery Pete’s Belgian Blond Ale
Brewer(s): Peter Compagne
Club: CABA

Strong Ale
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: The Secret Of The Booze
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Galaxitra
Brewer(s): Francois Lalumiere
Club: Montrealers

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Hop Candy
Brewer(s): David Thompson
Club: SOB

Fruit Beer
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Dark Tart
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Cornelius Alphonse’s Citrus Curative
Brewer(s): Liam Sellers
Club: Brewnosers

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Coconut Robust Porter
Brewer(s): Scott Hunter

Spiced/Herb/Vegetable
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Oak & Vanilla Porter
Brewer(s): Andrew Byer and Tina Schoenwetter
Club: Schönwetter Brewing

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: McJaggery Pale Ale
Brewer(s): Rob Williamson
Club: Brewhaven Brewers

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Something In The Rye
Brewer(s): Jeremy Coghill
Club: Toronto Brewers

Smoke/Wood Aged
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Oak MiniPipe Mild
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Old Smokey (On Top Of)
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Smoking Prophet
Brewer(s): Zack Weinberg
Club: Durham Homebrew Club

Specialty Beer
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Reeds Rye Pale Ale
Brewer(s): David Reed
Club: SOB

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Marie-Va-Vite
Brewer(s): Francois Lalumiere
Club: Montrealers

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Knotty Boy
Brewer(s): Anthony Legge
Club: Brewnosers

Mead
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Three Bees Dry Mead
Brewer(s): Victor North
Club: SOB

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: The Big Apple
Brewer(s): Jeremy Coghill
Club: Toronto Brewers

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Bochet Nouveau
Brewer(s): Jeremy Coghill
Club: Toronto Brewers

Best of Show
Entry Name: Clifford’s Dortmunder X
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Club: CABA

Congratulations to all of the winners and a big thank you to everyone who submitted entries.

Our next competition will coincide with the CABA Annual General Meeting in November, so start brewing in preparation for the competition and the annual fall meeting. Details for both are forthcoming.

New Homebrew Supply Store

All About Ales Competition results

Announced at the 2011 CABA AGM on November 19th, the All About Ales Competition results featured beers in 17 overall categories. The 2011 AAA Competition received 104 entries, and we’re proud to announce the winners of each of the categories, as well as our Best of Show winner.

Lagers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Munich Ale
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Third Stanza
Brewer(s): Victor North

Place: 1st
Entry Name: VanTober Fest Lager
Brewer(s): John VanDyk

Light/Amber Hybrids
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Kolsch
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford

Place: 1st
Entry Name: 5K Kolsch
Brewer(s): Graham McGregor

English Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Best Bitter
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Springer Premium Bitter
Brewer(s): Nicholas Verlane

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Extra Sexy Bitch (Batch 1101)
Brewer(s): Jonathan Thibault

Scottish/Irish Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Irish Football Red
Brewer(s): Miguel Pereira/Darryl May/Andrew Pituley

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: House of Perry Irish Red Ale
Brewer(s): Nick Perry

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Finnigan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
Brewer(s): Chris Finnigan

American Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: All Citra APA
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Citra Pale Ale
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford

Place: 1st
Entry Name: APA
Brewer(s): Graham McGregor

American Amber/Brown Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: American Football Red
Brewer(s): Miguel Pereira/Darryl May/Andrew Pituley

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Palisades Red
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Willy The Moose
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin

Brown Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Brennan’s Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Paul Brennan

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s English Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Who’s That Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Hirsch Goodman/Kevin Snow

Porters
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Katmandu Porter
Brewer(s): Dennis Kinvig

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Working Man’s Porter
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Pop’s Porter
Brewer(s): Victor North

Stouts
Place: Honourable Mention
Entry Name: American Stout
Brewer(s): Michael Sheddon

Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Robustus Maximus
Brewer(s): Mike Bray

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Andover Stout
Brewer(s): Robert George

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Carpe Noctem Black Chocolate Stout
Brewer(s): Zack Weinburg

India Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Tri-Centennial Man
Brewer(s): Patrick Hirlehey

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: La Tête à Papineau
Brewer(s): Mathieu Boislard

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Imperial IPA
Brewer(s): Michael Sheddon

German Wheat/Rye Beers
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Adolfwolfa
Brewer(s): Mike Bray

Belgian/French Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Saison d’ete
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer

Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Wee Beastie
Brewer(s): Ian Mills

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Hip To Wit
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Belgian IPA
Brewer(s): Andrew Rusinas

Strong Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Cult of the Cthulhu
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer/Cody Nolan

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Rigo’s Barley Wine
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin

Place: 1st
Entry Name: The Rambam
Brewer(s): Hirsch Goodman/Kevin Snow

Fruit Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Elderberry Stout
Brewer(s): Chris Ephgrave

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Sex Bomb-Passion Fruit Wheat Beer
Brewer(s): Peter Campagna

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Magnum PI
Brewer(s): Mike Bray

Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Fat Goblin Pumpkin Ale
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Kama Sutra Indian Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Zack Weinburg

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Carobou
Brewer(s): Victor North

Smoke Flavoured/Wood Aged Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Thunder
Brewer(s): Victor North

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Fireside
Brewer(s): Victor North

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Ol Closet Clearer-Oak Barleywine
Brewer(s): Tim Gregory

Specialty Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Golden Rails Honey Ale
Brewer(s): Mario Bourgeous

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Big Ms Maple
Brewer(s): Chris Ephgrave

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Lucky Loonie Black IPA
Brewer(s): Tim Gregory

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Yambier
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer

Meads/Ciders
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Harvest Spice Cider
Brewer(s): Victor North

Place: 1st
Entry Name: 2009 Wedding Mead
Brewer(s): Tim Gregory

Best of Show
Entry Name: Extra Sexy Bitch (Batch 1101)
Brewer(s): Jonathan Thibault

Congratulations to all of the winners.

Great Canadian Homebrew Competition results

At the Great Canadian Homebrew Conference on Saturday, we announced the winners of the homebrewing competition. With 99 entries across the entire spectrum of BCJP categories, we awarded winners in 12 categories, as well as for Best of Show. Here’s the entire list of winners:

Lagers & Hybrids
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Chameleon Cream Ale
Brewer(s): Ari Gilligson (Delta, BC)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: The Dreamer
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s German Pils
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford (Toronto, ON)

Scotch & Irish Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Danny Boy Delight
Brewer(s): Chris Bible (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: 80 Shilling Trial 2
Brewer(s): Jeremy Coghill (Toronto, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Bonnie Prince Charlie
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: 2011 APA
Brewer(s): Anthony Legge (Mt. Pearl, NL)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: The Perfect Gentleman
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Red Coat’s Revenge
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon (Mississauga, ON)

Amber & Brown Ales
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Nutty Hoppopotamus
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Falconers Bite
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Stouts & Porters
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Sweet Jemima Jones
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Ebony Insanity
Brewer(s): Chris Bible (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Evil Empire Russian Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Wayne Morris (Newtonville, ON)

IPAs
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Amarillo IPA
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford (Toronto, ON)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Imperial IPA
Brewer(s): Michael Shedden (Dundas, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Hopastasy
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Belgians & Wheat Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Wifey’s Wheat
Brewer(s): Andy Robinson (Amherst, NS)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Weizen Ho!
Brewer(s): John Tyler (Toronto, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: White Summer
Brewer(s): Yii-Jen Tien (Gravenhurst, ON)

Barleywines
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Stealth Bomber
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Toke-on-Trent
Brewer(s): Craig Nichols (Toronto, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Wedding Barley Wine
Brewer(s): Victor North (Toronto, ON)

Fruit/Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Craig Nichols (Toronto, ON)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Holy Trinity Stout
Brewer(s): Adam Henderson (Toronto, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Xpresso Men 3
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Smoke/Wood Aged Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Smoke A Little Smoke 1.5
Brewer(s): Kevin Smith (Toronto, ON)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: H.I.M. Smoked Imperial Oatmeal Stout
Brewer(s): Craig Nichols (Toronto, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Halfway Tree Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Michael Thompson (Toronto, ON)

Specialty Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Wizard’s Sleeve
Brewer(s): Patrick Hirlehey (Waterdown, ON)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Gotterdamerung
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Snowman Brewing Gluten Free Maple Stout
Brewer(s): Hirsch Goodman and Kevin Snow (North York, ON)

Meads & Ciders
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Country Harvest
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Royal Oak
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Mead 2010
Brewer(s): Jeremy Coghill (Toronto, ON)

Best of Show
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Hopastasy
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren

Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Red Coat’s Revenge
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon

Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s German Pils
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford

Homebrewer of the Year: Louis DeBourbon

Congratulations to all the winners.

Thanks to Spearhead Brewing Company for sponsoring both the conference and competition, as well as for providing various prizes for the winners, including a Blichman Hop Rocket for the Best of Show winner, Brad Clifford. As Best of Show winner, Brad will also have the opportunity to work with Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company to develop a professional beer as part of the CABA CABA Hey! series. Thanks to Beau’s for working with CABA on this project for the third year in a row.

Thanks to Black Oak Brewing for being the drop-off point for competition entries and for their gracious hosting on judging day. And finally, thank you to all the judges and stewards who helped to make the competition run as smoothly as possible.

Check your membership online and reset your password

Wondering when your CABA membership is going to (or has) expired? Forgotten your password?

One of the latest upgrades to the site is checking your membership due date online, and renew all from the homebrewers.ca website. You can also reset your password if forgotten or lost.

If you do choose to renew, one year will be added to your membership starting on the last day of your membership, so don’t worry if you renew a little early, there will be no overlap period.

Please try it out, http://www.homebrewers.ca/account

Kevin

All About Ales Competition Winners

On swing-tops

It didn’t take long after I started brewing beer before I discovered the joys of swing-top bottles. As I’m sure happened with many new brewers, my first batch (or two?) was bottled exclusively with capped bottles, and the process was slow. I’m fairly certain my first bottling night back in 2007 was about four hours long. Today, that same bottling night is probably about half that in time; and although much of that increased speed can be attributed to a better understanding of the processes involved, some of it is also because of the number of swing-top bottles (mostly Grolsch and Christoffel) that have found their way into my bottle collection one way or the other.

A tip I’ve learned from my new brewing buddy: If you have a local bar or pub that serves beers with swing-top bottles, talk to the manager about buying the swing-top bottles. Some are bound to let them go for the return price. That will increase your swing-top bottle collection quickly and reduce the number of bottle caps you’ll need come bottling day.

Experimental homebrewing

As I’ve written about in the CABA Times, one of the things I enjoy about homebrewing is the experimental nature of the hobby (and the hobbyists). Many brewers like to brew to style, and more power to them, but outside of a couple of reasonable attempts to brew to style, I mostly aim for whatever seems like a good idea at the time — and sometimes those ideas lead into such things as my infamous 2007 Christmas ale or my clone of CABA President Kevin Tighe’s jalapeno ale.

The most recent homebrewing experiment I’ve been involved with is with a new homebrewer who has taken an interest in historical beers, as well as in using ingredients from his garden. Looking into his herb garden and doing some research into historical beers, he discovered that prior to the use of hops as a bittering agent, brewers would use whatever they could get their hands on. The one that caught his interest was sage, an herb that is growing out of control in his garden.

This has rekindled my interest in historical beers. Since I started homebrewing three years ago, the one historical bittering agent I’ve really wanted to use is heather (so perhaps you can expect to hear about a heather ale experiment in a future blog post or CABA Times article).