Carboy

2017 Beer in Review

The ups and downs of my year of homebrewing.

In 2016, I managed to brew 12 batches. For 2017, I had a more modest goal. I wanted to brew eight to nine times. On the last day of the year, with temperatures in the low teens and snow on the ground, I squeezed in one last brew to meet my goal.

The beers this year were delicious. Perennial old favorites like the Kölsch, the Raspberry Wheat and the Märzen were joined by new delights like the Petite Saison D"ete and the Patersbier and experiments like the Off the Topper's dry hopped madness. My only regret was how quickly most of these five-gallon batches disappeared from the kegs. Better to have loved a beer and lost than never to have brewed at all.

While I'm looking forward to planning my beers for 2018, take a whirl through the batches that defined 2017. If you ever want to brew with me or to share a beer, let me know.

Onward!

December, 2016 - Tallgrass Brewing's Buffalo Sweat Stout

5.6% ABV, 21.5 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: Sweet, rich oatmeal stout. Taste the oatmeal and hints of coffee. Great creamy head on nitro. Great cool weather beer. Very sweet. Deep brown chocolate hue.

• Look: 4.5 of 5
• Aroma: 4 of 5
• Taste: 4.5 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 4.5 of 5
• Overall: 4.5 of 5

 

January - Irish Draft Ale

5.9% ABV, 27.6 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: Malty, copper red hue. Almost a red ale. Well received at our annual St. Patrick's Day feast.

• Look: 3.5
• Aroma: 3
• Taste: 3.75
• Mouthfeel: 3
• Overall: 3.75

 

February - Petite Saison D'ete

4.9% ABV, 26.5 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: Clear, golden, sharp. Delicious and refreshing. A really nice, dry farmhouse ale. Great springtime beer.

• Look: 4.5 of 5
• Aroma: 2 of 5
• Taste: 4.5 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 4.5 of 5
• Overall: 4.5 of 5

 

June - Kölsch

4.6% ABV, 35.7 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: A bit cloudier than I would like, but delicious and refreshing nonetheless. A favorite every year.

• Look: 3.5 of 5
• Aroma: 4 of 5
• Taste: 4.25 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 3.75 of 5
• Overall: 4.25 of 5

 

June - Raspberry Wheat

5.0% ABV, 15.7 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: Sweet, light, super drinkable. A hint of tartness and wheat, of course. One of the most popular beers of the year. Tastes lighter than its ABV would suggest.

• Look: 4.5 of 5
• Aroma: 4.5 of 5
• Taste: 4.25 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 4.5 of 5
• Overall: 4.5 of 5

 

July - Oktoberfest Märzen

4.3% ABV, 17.3 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: Deep reddish brown amber in hue. Clear, light, crisp. Very session-able without being heavy to the palate. Delicious and perhaps dangerously good. Dry.

• Look: 4 of 5
• Aroma: 3 of 5
• Taste: 4 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 4.5 of 5
• Overall: 4 of 5

 

September - The Innkeeper

4.1% ABV, 42.2 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: Bitter English Ale. Golden brown. Dry. Probably would be better served a little warmer. Traditional English pub ale. Recalls a Newcastle. Quite good on a chilly day.

• Look: 4 of 5
• Aroma: 3 of 5
• Taste: 3.75 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 3 of 5
• Overall: 3.75 of 5

 

October - Off The Topper

6.3% ABV, ?? IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: A purported Heady Topper clone. Smell the hops wafting off of this. A very smooth and drinkable IIPA, just not a style I’m a big fan of. Not too overpowering taste-wise. The look is a bit more brown and murky than I’d like. Looks a bit like a brown ale and drinks like a session IPA. A bit sweet, with a slight sugary breadiness to it. Nice frosty, creamy head. Hoppy as all get-out.

• Look: 3 of 5
• Aroma: 4.5 of 5
• Taste: 3.5 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 3.5 of 5
• Overall: 3.5 of 5

 

November - Patersbier

5.0% ABV, 34.6 IBU

From Carboy

Tasting notes: Golden orange hued. Smooth, light, Belgian inspired ale. A hint of tartness and citrus. Delicious with a bit of body that makes it a nice ale for winter or spring. A classic.

• Look: 4 of 5
• Aroma: 3 of 5
• Taste: 4 of 5
• Mouthfeel: 3.5 of 5
• Overall: 4 of 5

 

December - Phat Tyre

From Carboy

Tasting notes: After brewing this on Dec. 31, the tasting and review will have to come in 2018.

By Tom on 12/31/2017

Stage: Enjoying

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