South Dublin Brewers - Next Meet - Thursday, 28th January

[molc]

I'm planning on doing my first ever SMaSH beer. Anyone else up for that? Say for the April meet?

Yes! I'll be in my ipa quest by then, so will do a simcoe or mosaic smash prehaps. I wonder what 300g of Simcoe would taste like... >

[Bubbles]

I've heard a lot of people say that Simcoe is a love it/hate it type of hop. I'd be interested to taste it though!

[Leann ull]

Hens teeth for the commercial guys but we are blessed with qtys in Homebrew shops

[molc]

From left to right; commercial example, newer version, older version.

Result: the old one is almost a like for like match with the commercial example, but with a muted hop present and aroma. Age is getting the better of it but the fermentation profile is spot on.
The newer one is fresher and has an interesting flavour, but there's a sweet, slightly unpleasant aroma. I think the starter may have picked up either an infection or just mutated, but it's not the same crisp clean flavour.

Interestingly, I think the malting is slightly better in the newer one, but I guess I'll just have to brew it again with fresh hops and new yeast to test that. Oh the challenges of homebrewing

Wish the older one was fresher, as it's quite muted, but it's the entry no doubt. Also I think the second batch is a dumper. I just can't get past that off flavour...

Now, to finish enjoying my homework

[Shanna]

I think the starter may have picked up either an infection or just mutated, but it's not the same crisp clean flavour.

Is that the same starter you gave me last night?

Shanna

[molc]

Yeah same one. Can't say certain it's off, just a possibility. The beers are more alike than different; I'm just being very picky On the night, a bunch actually preferred the second beer.

[Shanna]

Yeah same one. Can't say certain it's off, just a possibility. The beers are more alike than different; I'm just being very picky On the night, a bunch actually preferred the second beer.

Fair enough thanks for the starter don't want to appear ungrateful Might follow advice Rossa gave me to taste the starter before using it.

Shanna

[molc]

Yeah same one. Can't say certain it's off, just a possibility. The beers are more alike than different; I'm just being very picky On the night, a bunch actually preferred the second beer.

Fair enough thanks for the starter don't want to appear ungrateful Might follow advice Rossa gave me to taste the starter before using it.

Shanna

Yeah and have some US-05 spare, as well as maybe an amber recipe. Ingredients are quite similar, just different hopping.

[Bubbles]

From left to right; commercial example, newer version, older version.

Result: the old one is almost a like for like match with the commercial example, but with a muted hop present and aroma. Age is getting the better of it but the fermentation profile is spot on.
The newer one is fresher and has an interesting flavour, but there's a sweet, slightly unpleasant aroma. I think the starter may have picked up either an infection or just mutated, but it's not the same crisp clean flavour.

Interestingly, I think the malting is slightly better in the newer one, but I guess I'll just have to brew it again with fresh hops and new yeast to test that. Oh the challenges of homebrewing

Wish the older one was fresher, as it's quite muted, but it's the entry no doubt. Also I think the second batch is a dumper. I just can't get past that off flavour...

Now, to finish enjoying my homework

Nice follow up dude. It's great when you can taste your own beer alongside a similar commercial example and it compares favourably. A sign that you're doing everything right. (Unless the commercial beer is shite, of course.. Let's not name names.. )

I think "freshness" is a very overrated thing when it comes to beer, but then I mostly bottle condition. There's few beers that don't benefit from a couple of months in the bottle imo. I'm currently enjoying a few different brews that I brewed before and during the summer, and they taste excellent.

[Bubbles]

What sort of SMaSH are you thinking of making Bubbles?

I'll be going old-school.. Cos I'm old...

2015 Cascade from the HBC, and lots of em.

Not sure about grain yet, something interesting like vienna or pilsner maybe.

[Shanna]

What sort of SMaSH are you thinking of making Bubbles?

I'll be going old-school.. Cos I'm old...

2015 Cascade from the HBC, and lots of em.

Not sure about grain yet, something interesting like vienna or pilsner maybe.

Might try the Munich larger that I did before except use cleaner bottles this time Those few bottles that did not gush were really tasty & malty.

Shanna

[molc]

What sort of SMaSH are you thinking of making Bubbles?

I'll be going old-school.. Cos I'm old...

2015 Cascade from the HBC, and lots of em.

Not sure about grain yet, something interesting like vienna or pilsner maybe.

Might try the Munich larger that I did before except use cleaner bottles this time Those few bottles that did not gush were really tasty & malty.

Shanna

I'm tied between trying a equinox pale ale smash with pale belgian malt, a belgian pale ale, or something with the new Slovenian malts from GerErBrewed... Open to suggestions really

[molc]

Just a quick one on the smash. I have some of the new geterbrewed hops secured for review that I'll be ordering this week. North county are also planning a fun wee competition where you have to use the hops from this range for the beer to be entered.
I'll pop up the list of what I'm getting here later and can bring them to the next meet to distribute. Only condition is you have to write up a review of the hops.

EDIT: Here are the hops:
Styrian Eureka 2015
Styrian Dana 2015 11.5%
Styrian Bobek 2015 5.2%
Savinjski Goldings 2015 2.5%
Styrian Goldings 2015 3.8%

I'll probably use one of the goldings to make a vienna lager, as I have a lager on right now and can reuse the yeast.

[Will_D]

These are packed as 2 x 50 gms bags so some swoppsies could be arranged.

[molc]

Here they are, minus a pack of Golding's I'll use for a Vienna smash. Say what ye want and I'll offer the leftovers to ncb.
Also here's the competition rules if anyone wants to kill two birds with one stone: http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php?topic=15087.msg142496.msg#142496