Well, it's not the most exciting thing I've ever brewed, but it's a lot better than I expected when we bottled it. It's clean, the hops are pleasant, and when I took it to a party, it was actually probably the best beer there. It never fully cleared but it's definitely less cloudy than I expected, as well, and the head is actually very good. It's a little overcarbed, but it's really only an issue drinking from the bottle (you have to keep drinking pretty steadily or it will foam up out of the neck). In a glass it's actually really nice; you have to pour it cold and carefully to avoid a big glass of head, but it's still nice as it warms up. I should think about making a dressed-up batch to have during the summer.
I have a few pictures from when I drank one yesterday:
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| Not very clear at all, but it looks good in the glass. |
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| It's quite fizzy, and it stays that way for quite a while. |
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| The head is actually really nice. I attribute it to the buckwheat. |
I just wish I'd been more aware of the date - I missed my chance to take it to the Homebrewer's Guild this month. I'll try to save a bottle for the next meeting.
Next time I make this, I think it needs more buckwheat and crystal both, maybe a little ginger toward the end of the boil...
In other beer-related news, there are some big upgrades in progress to the Smashton & Parris brewery. Pictures (and maybe even video!) when it's all ready.
