BB2

Bender Brew Number 2, or BB2, is an EPA - Extra Pale Ale. This was another kit from NorthernBrewer and got great reviews. Originally ordered with Safale US-05 dry yeast, I upgraded to Wyeast 1450 - "Dennys Fav 50" thinking that would lead to more sugar to alcohol conversion and a more vigorous fermentation. On the second point, definitely a more vigorous fermentation and it happened with less lag than the first beer   with US-05. We still haven't bottled this yet, so I can't say what the final OG is and how hard the yeast partied. This is a Gold Malt Extract with Cascade Hops which should create a clean, dry, very hoppy brew. I'm really hoping that the grapefruit hoppiness of Cascade really comes through.

Bottled it on 3/30 after 4 weeks of fermentation (15 days primary, 13 days secondary) and tasted it of course. Very light body with small hop flavor it seems. We'll see what happens after two weeks of conditioning.

Equipment Upgrades

I have fallen hard for this brewing thing and bought one gadget and one "fermentation chamber." The gadget is a little stir plate for really aerating/agitating the yeast starter. The fermentation chamber is a 5.3 cubic foot chest freezer. With an external temp controller, I'm able to hold the fermenting beer at just the right temperature. During the winter this isn't much of a problem, but as the weather here in Atlanta warms up so does this apartment and I can't be worrying about my yeast and how unhappy they are at 72 degrees+. With this chamber, I can relax and that is the way beer brewing should be really. Will be trying the stir plate and yeast starter technique this weekend when I brew #3 an Wheat Beer. Recipe from Hop City.

Bender Brew 1 Tasting

Well, this first one turned out great. All friends liked it. ABV is unknown, but people are saying between 5 and 7 percent. Means the yeast really had a good party. At this point, I think there are just 8 bottles left so production and consumption are still out of equilibrium. I'm just bottling Bender Brew (BB2) this Saturday so it will be two weeks before that one is consumable.