National Homebrew Club Ireland

Greetings,

For those not partaking in the excitement that is "Dryanuary" (snigger), the first meet of 2017 is on Thursday 26th.

Bring your comp entries for the Nationals, please?!

Please sign up below if attending.

Cheers,
Bubbles.

1. Bubbles - Porter, NEIPA (GCB 2017 Competition Gold Medal Winner)

Been looking forward to trying an neipa!

1. Bubbles - Porter, NEIPA (GCB 2017 Competition Gold Medal Winner
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.

1. Bubbles - Porter, NEIPA (GCB 2017 Competition Gold Medal Winner
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5 & blonde

Not sure how Bubbles has a 2017 winner already but maybe he can share the Euro millions numbers as well :)

On my 5th take of my oatmeal stout recipe. Did this last year twice one of which I botched due to a faulty ground wire in my PID/Herms system that under reported my temp by nearly 10C & ended up with batch of stout OG 1.051 & FG 1.032. Said batch is 7 months in to a 12 month treatment with a melange obtained from Molc.

Other batch some people thought was too harsh due to the high amount of roast barley & patent malt (personally like that harshness flavour) but decided to tweak it holding back the roasted grains towards the end of the mash.

The blonde is my half of the collaborative batch Molc & I did before Xmas.

Shanna

1. Bubbles - Porter, NEIPA (GCB 2017 Competition Gold Medal Winner
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5 & blonde
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen

1. Bubbles - Porter, NEIPA (GCB 2017 Competition Gold Medal Winner
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5 & blonde
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider

1. Bubbles - Porter, NEIPA (GCB 2017 Competition Gold Medal Winner
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5 & blonde
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider
6. CC- Blonde Session, ESB, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale

by the way lads i need some serious help with selecting categories for the nationals....

would it be a good idea for one of us to print the BJCP guidelines for reference?

I have the phone app, so no bother there dude!

I have em all in my head :D Well find cats, no worries

You probably do!

good stuff lads... as a competition newbie i'm getting the pre-game nerves....

rule no 42: no excuses play like a champion

There will be a large contingent of judges coming from GCB as well to contra the interloper we had last night.
We tend not to hold back so apologies in advance when we sniff and don't drink or wretch into spit bucket shouting wtf is that supposed to be

well I hope the interloper didn't disgrace us, whoever he was!? ;)

With such esteemed guests, we're going to have to do the beer equivalent of "killing the fatted calf". I'll see if I can't dig out a couple of special bottles.  :)

Just call us the three wise men, we'll be bringing the gifts for the baby Jaysus

Will the three wise ladies be requiring sours for the evening? If so I'll be sure to call ahead .

Quote from: Bubbles on January 13, 2017, 05:58:26 PM
Will the three wise ladies be requiring sours for the evening? If so I'll be sure to call ahead .

its to be a drive by, cheers tho

Rumour has it a certain SDB mead maker will be attending also...

Hic

Quote from: CH on January 13, 2017, 04:15:46 PM
There will be a large contingent of judges coming from GCB as well to contra the interloper we had last night.
We tend not to hold back so apologies in advance when we sniff and don't drink or wretch into spit bucket shouting wtf is that supposed to be

Jesus wept, thankfully the other GCB are more gracious & gave me a warm reception. Colin even gave me the grand tour :) CH if you GCB brewers are coming in force could ye add yourselves to the list so we know to bring sufficient bottles.

Shanna

Quote from: Bubbles on January 13, 2017, 05:16:10 PM
well I hope the interloper didn't disgrace us, whoever he was!? ;)

Only by disgracing himself by nearly dying running up the steps of the bridge of the dart line on the way to missing the last dart home :( Had a great night sitting beside the fire with the GCB guys, thankfully CH attempt to dissuade me fell on deaf ears.

Shanna

PS: Damo & Fishjam if your reading this please bring some of your NEIPA, Weissbier & raspberry Porter.

I didn't realise it was you! Great little spot, the Harbour Bar.

Quote from: CH on January 14, 2017, 07:42:00 PM
Hic

Looks like the following day is going to be a write off unless one learns to.spit :)

Shanna

1. Bubbles - Porter, IPA, American Barleywine, Spelt Saison, Apple Mead
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5 & blonde
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider
6. CC- Blonde Session, ESB, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale

Quote from: Shanna on January 14, 2017, 08:25:31 PM
thankfully CH attempt to dissuade me fell on deaf ears.

Only coz I wasn't going to be there to translate, some of them fellas are savages and eat their dinner with a spoon, just wanted to make sure you came back at some point

https://youtu.be/YOtpgz4L5d8

Quote from: Bubbles on January 14, 2017, 08:31:56 PM
I didn't realise it was you! Great little spot, the Harbour Bar.

Felt like it was time to give the GCB guys a visit & the pub was indeed a treasure :)

Shanna

I keep promising to pop in and something always comes up. Next month for sure. Or maybe the one after... :)

1. Bubbles - Porter, IPA, American Barleywine, Spelt Saison, Apple Mead
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5 & blonde
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider
6. CC- Blonde Session, ESB, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale
7. Dukeellington - IPA, Belgian Dark Strong

It'll be my first time so you might go handy on me

Quote from: molc on January 14, 2017, 11:39:33 PM
I keep promising to pop in and something always comes up. Next month for sure. Or maybe the one after... :)

[rabble_rouse]

You do realise that you have to bring one beer for each time you have said you'll get out to us? How many cases is it now ;)

[/rabble_rouse]

I'm sure that could he arranged. >;)

1. Bubbles - Porter, IPA, American Barleywine, Spelt Saison, Apple Mead
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5 & blonde
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider
6. CC- Blonde Session, ESB, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale
7. Dukeellington - IPA, Belgian Dark Strong
8. Steve - Belgian Strong Ale (Blond)

I guess we are going heavy Belgian on thursday!

Rent a mob confirmed from GCB bring a litre ;)

Shanna - I'll bring my hefeweizen.

NEIPA's have a short life span round these parts ... this one didn't last long enough.

Yep I might have to shake the shit out of mine to get all that yeast back in suspension

Great stuff, looking forward to it lads.

Looks a heavy case of presenteeism @work on Friday  :P

Shanna

Top Tips
When bottling for a meet and you are removing your disconnect from an NEIPA keg that you know has a lazy poppet, stand off to one side to avoid the fountain spray.
I am now sporting "Eau du Starburst"
I'll be beating Fishjam off with a stick tomorrow

1. Bubbles - Porter, IPA, American Barleywine, Spelt Saison, Apple Mead
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5, blonde & 2014 cider (pellicle free hopefully :))
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider
6. CC- Blonde Session, ESB, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale
7. Dukeellington - IPA, Belgian Dark Strong
8. Steve - Belgian Strong Ale (Blond)

1. Bubbles - Porter, IPA, American Barleywine, Spelt Saison, Apple Mead
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde.
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5, blonde & 2014 cider (pellicle free hopefully :))
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider
6. CC- Blonde Session, ESB, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale
7. Dukeellington - IPA, Belgian Dark Strong
8. Steve - Belgian Strong Ale (Blond)
9. Emot - Not so Pale Ale

1. Bubbles - Porter, IPA, American Barleywine, Spelt Saison, Apple Mead
2. Molc - amber, wit, blonde, Hefeweizen
3. Shanna - Oatmeal stout take 5, blonde & 2014 cider (pellicle free hopefully :))
4. Craiclad - IPA, Hefeweizen
5. JamMan - Birthday Cider, Berry Cider
6. CC- Blonde Session, ESB, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale
7. Dukeellington - IPA, Belgian Dark Strong
8. Steve - Belgian Strong Ale (Blond)
9. Emot - Not so Pale Ale

Hi guys
Looking forward to seeing you guys this evening and I'm coming out of hibernation with my cider brews.

Sorry lads, I am sick :/

Not quite impressed Bacchus, was really looking forward to a good mead, Bubbles wasn't even pretending this time

Keep us one for next time (& get better)

(Bubbles, you make good meads too)

Really great selection of beers there tonight (GCBrewers had to bale early).

My Beer of the night to Daniel's IPA - truly outstanding, showcase IPA

Astonishing selection there guys, to be proud of.

Bubbles - holding you to your date I'll give you some Belgian detox time, ok?

Thanks for allowing the GCBrewers invasion

Commendations to the rest - the (ready for this, have I got everyone?)
Wheat
Wheat
Wit
Belgian Blonde x 2 twins
Dubbel x 3
ESB
Milk stout
Raspberry Porter
Fullers Porter
Oatmeal Stout
Amber
berry cider
Ipa
US Pale
dry cider
cider
Daniel's IPA
CH's NE IPA twin test

Wow lads you fellas have all seriously upped your game.
I find it immensely satisfying when a brewer like Daniel listened to others and me about his water treatment at the last meeting I saw him and now produces a beer which is good enough to challenge the IPA King.
That was an amazing beer and ticked every box. I know meets can be intimidating and people don't want to hear constructive criticism however I will complement Daniel he was hoovering up guidance from everyone and has clearly applied it in his brewing nice one and best of luck with that beer in the nationals.
In fact there was only 1 really problematic beer, Emots Pale, with fusels, but he knew exactly what was wrong with it and sorted out his temp control now. I'd really like to try v2.0 when it's out.
Jam man sorry but your cider was way too young and had a terrible smell to it. I'm not sure it's going to do well at competition at all
In the main we were all shocked how good the standard has got in your club, take a bow lads, and clearly we and other clubs need to up our game

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170127/6bdd959f6b7d16c9dc725406c6f0b07d.jpg)

Quote from: bachus on January 26, 2017, 09:45:56 PM
Sorry lads, I am sick :/

Sorely missed fella. Next month hopefully.

Quote from: pob on January 26, 2017, 11:31:07 PM
Really great selection of beers there tonight (GCBrewers had to bale early).

My Beer of the night to Daniel's IPA - truly outstanding, showcase IPA

Astonishing selection there guys, to be proud of.

Bubbles - holding you to your date I'll give you some Belgian detox time, ok?

Thanks for allowing the GCBrewers invasion

Commendations to the rest - the (ready for this, have I got everyone?)
Wheat
Wheat
Wit
Belgian Blonde x 2 twins
Dubbel x 3
ESB
Milk stout
Raspberry Porter
Fullers Porter
Oatmeal Stout
Amber
berry cider
Ipa
US Pale
dry cider
cider
Daniel's IPA
CH's NE IPA twin test

Smoked porter??

Always great to see you chaps and catch up. Delighted you liked the beers. Great chat with fishjam about the Grainfather and chilli beers, cheers man.

Amazing standard tonight, I couldn't pick a favourite.

Feck it, forgot the Rancheros - lovely one at that, spot on (beechwood?)

Beechwood it was!

Brilliant night! It's great to get constructive criticism and I'm happy to take it on board, will try to up my game for the next meet. Cheers for all the great beers tonight - Bubbles' IPA was incredible.

Take a bow South Dublin Brewers.

Great selection & the quality of the beer on show was definitely up there.

Daniels & Bubbles' IPA's were class.  The rauchmalz porter, the amber, the wit, the raspberry porter the list goes on ... Cracking Beers!
Feel free to share the recipe and process of how you put that IPA together Daniel.

Bubbles give me a shout, if you want, when you are going through your GF and I'll give you a hand.

Thanks for having us lads.

Quote from: Emot on January 27, 2017, 12:34:44 AM
Brilliant night! It's great to get constructive criticism and I'm happy to take it on board, will try to up my game for the next meet. Cheers for all the great beers tonight - Bubbles' IPA was incredible.

Great to be able to share tips & hints with people. These are the thermowell that I bought previously. http://www.brewhardware.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TW18-L-14-R

If your going down the STC route it should give you good temperature control. In the meantime maybe get a lagging jacket or a sleeping bag to wrap your fermenter in. Also would be a good idea to get a couple of 12v DC computer fans for the fridge.

Seriously good beers last night & a nice surprise is that despite drinking close to 40.different beers I don't have a hangover. This is great validation that the beer standard have really improved

Shanna

Ow Ow Ow Ow :) You're doing better than me Shanna. Can I go back to bed?

Great night, can't pick a favourite from that list and with so many crackers, no need to even try. Better than almost all commercial craft I've had in the last 6 months.

Quote from: molc on January 27, 2017, 08:38:31 AM
Ow Ow Ow Ow :) You're doing better than me Shanna. Can I go back to bed?

Ditto. Head is pounding.

Quote from: molc on January 27, 2017, 08:38:31 AM
Great night, can't pick a favourite from that list and with so many crackers, no need to even try.

Alright.. here are the ones that stick out in my mind:
- CH's NEIPA (but only one of them!)
- Molc's Wit - dry marmaladed. That recipe is a keeper. What a lovely summer sipper.
- Damo's Raspberry porter - lovely balance. Fruit beers, particularly with very flavourful base styles, can be difficult to pull off. But this was really good
- Pob's cider - dry as a witch's tit, the way I like it. Proper flavour.
- Shanna's/Molc's Belgian Blonde - I honestly don't think there was much difference between them, apart from carbonation level, but some people seemed to think so.
- Craiclad's IPA - not a huge fan of Mosaic in general, but this was extremely good. Needed a bit more carbonation, but it was taken from a corny. Lovely balance.

Quote from: molc on January 27, 2017, 08:38:31 AM
Better than almost all commercial craft I've had in the last 6 months.

You said it.

Thanks for having me lads, really enjoyed all the beers, and chats. I'll try and have a beer that doesn't need to be opened over a bucket for the next time!

I'll echo all of the above lads.... i thought the standards over a wide range of different styles were really high last night... everyone had a bit of their A game on show!

personally i'm delighted to have my process nailed down and be able to make beers without flaws!!
for sure this wouldn't have happened without the constructive criticism and advice of other more experienced club members...

great to meet the GCB guys as always and great to meet a couple of new SDB faces...

@Emot... i'm pretty sure from chatting to ya that the fusel days will be over fairly soon- everything you've done with your process is logical and will lead to great beer- great to see

on a seperate note lads... who do i put down as my collection point for entering the nationals if i'm in rathfarnham???

Fantastic night. Very happy at the response to the IPA.

http://brulosophy.com/recipes/macc-ipa-by-ray-found/

Here's the recipe if anyones interested. I followed the hopping schedule but replaced the honey malt with some light crystal, and the 2-row with maris otter. I also brewed mine a few points above the specified gravity, around 1.070 if I recall correctly.

This recipe was actually one of the first beers I ever brewed, which I brought to a meet in late 2015. Very satisfying to give it another go and put everything I've learned from you all to use.

You can use Pilsner for 2 Row and honey malt is available here now
Wonder would it be as good

Great beer and great to see someone try that recipe. Been tempted myself to give that one a go.

CH, do you do a 90 min boil when you sub pilsner for 2 row? Been using pale ale malt myself, but thinking of trying the American way on the next IPA.

Only in Lagers/Pilsners, IPA's hide a multitude  ;)
Its on the GCB website so it must be true,
https://gcbrewers.wordpress.com/malt-substitution-chart/
It was Dempsey that told me that years ago after a discussion he had with a US brewer I believe, and he was right, I'm sure he will be along in a minute to tell the story ;)

Task tsk no minch on yere chart ;)

Might give it a go with honey malt and minch lager to see how it turns out. Have a few brews planned first so will be a while though.

I'm a little sceptical about that based on hoppy beers I've made with pilsner malt. I found that the pilsner malt character can't stand up to high levels of bitterness and hop flavour the way a standard pale malt can. But then, it might just be my crappy recipes..