Brewing Day - Again.

Basically, I'm using up my holiday time prior to the end of the year so that I don't lose it. So, I'll likely not be working any more Fridays for the remainder of the year, and yes, that usually means brewing.

Today is one of those days. Brewing up one I've done over the past three or four years, slightly tweaking it each time. However, I think this one is the final tweak. It's called "Lord of the Isles" and is loosely influenced by a couple of different Scottish cask ales brewed in the west coast of Scotland. It uses a pretty unique grain from Simpson's Maltings in the U.K. called Golden Naked Oats. They give the beer a beautiful golden, orangy color and semi-sweet berry-like flavor. This time around I'm using Glacier hops for bittering and New Zealand organic Pacific Gem for flavor/aroma. I've come to love the hops from New Zealand. They are all great to work with. Glacier I've never used before but it smelled brilliant.

Listening to the new Oasis. Whether you like them and or not, you have to admit they are masters of hook-laden pop/rock song writing. And I'm a sucker for it. This new one is outstanding! Really like the new Kaiser Chiefs too. Have stayed away from the new Snow Patrol so far although I like the single. The last one just didn't resonate that much with me. Unfortunately, as much as I love Travis, I'm not too keen on their new one. Not exactly sure why at this point but I'll keep giving it a go.

Out... for now.

Cheers!
Neil

The Work's Laptop's Gone Dead - Crisis: No Tom Morton Show!

Yes indeed, yet again (this is the fourth time in as many years and over three laptops?) the hard drive on my laptop at the work is dead. What does this mean? CRISIS: no Tom Morton Show! Have missed the show all week but trying to catch up after hours using the fabulous Listen Again feature on BBC Radio Scotland. Listening to today's show just now.

An absolutely dire, dire situation!

Hopefully day off on Friday for, you guessed it, more brewing. Hope to do an 80/- and another unique golden ale with oats. The Maclay's Oat Malt stout, Boadicea and the still concealed identity mystery beer should be ready to be on tap in a week or so.

This worldwide hop shortage is still getting my goat. Some varieties are starting to be available but the prices are simply unbelievable. The lengths (and expense) I'll go to for good ale! Had an email exchange with John Peed up in Tennessee about reduction boiling for Scottish beers - he is quickly becoming the expert on this technique, I'm still not sold. He also asked again about my opinion of smoky character in Scottish beers. I had to yet again emphatically state: NO SMOKED MALT OF ANY KIND SHOULD BE USED IN AN AUTHENTIC SCOTTISH ALE!! I'll leave it at that.

Cheers!
Neil

Brewing Day!

I'm excited. It's brewing day again. I'm actually doing a marathon today. Two full brews in order to rebuild the stock after Oktoberfest drained me. Trouble is, the first beer I simply cannot reveal any details about. I'd love to comment, but at the present time, I can't. Let's leave it at its something I've never done before and should be very interesting indeed. I'll comment on it later.

So, I've got the Seasick Steve fired up on the iPod (thanks, Tom for introducing me to someone I probably should have known about already. I just picked up Steve's newest after hearing him for the first time last week (was it?) on Tom's show) and the first brew is going.

The second beer is a bit interesting as well. Pretty much a straight ahead Strong Bitter but two small twists: I'm trying a new UK hop called "Boadicea" (and yes it reminds of the famous Queen of the Britains) and, with my loving oats so much, I'm adding some Scottish Pinhead Oats made by Hamlyn's, said to be made in the Highlands (HQ in Banff). I've used them before but with a darker beer. This should be cool.

Back to the brewing before I mess something up.

Oh, yeah. Happy Birthday! to the love of my life, my wife Valarie. Her birthday is tomorrow.

Cheers!
Neil

Oktoberfest, exciting week on the radio, Facebook and now the Sunday Herald

Yes, been awhile since I've blogged. Busy, busy... The First Annual Oktoberfest party went brilliantly! Great food and, important for me, great bier. The Oktoberfestbier2008 was obviously the winner as the 5 gals. went in just a few hours. Dusseldorfer Altbier and the Hefe' were nearly drained as well. The root beer went down a storm with the young and the young at heart. Next year, I'll need more of everything. Not bad for 50 or so people.

Amazing series of events this week. It all started with a casual reply to one of Tom Morton's Twitters on his Facebook account by one Ali Wilson, regular Tom Morton Show listener and drummer from Peebles. Tom had, quite literally, briefly mentioned Deuchar's IPA, one of my top five beers the world over, in a Twitter update and Ali lashed out with an unbridled bashing of the IPA style (drummers, eh?). So, of course, I couldn't sit idly by while one of my favorite beers and styles (when done appropriately) were assaulted. I chimed in on Tom's Facebook in response to Ali. I missed Tom's show on Thursday due to too many meetings at work and found out on Friday that the whole exchange had been mentioned on the show and further comment ensued. Then, this morning to my shock, I noticed a comment from Ali about Tom's Diary in the Sunday Herald so I took a look (somehow I always forget Tom does this diary). And there, the exchange was mentioned yet again. And Tom had some really kinds words regarding my Scottish beer knowledge. Lot of mileage out of a completely off-handed Twitter topic.

One thing though. For some reason, Tom always has to mention that I'm American, why is that? Does it contribute to or detract from my credibility on the subject, or, perhaps, has nothing to do with it at all?

What on earth will next week bring?

Cheers!
Neil