Monthly Archives: December 2021

I Am A Brave Man

I began brewing beer with a few neighborhood buddies around 1991 in Bakersfield California……and we are still friends! LOL Along the way we have learned a few lessons, the first was to not boil the wort in the kitchen……when the wife is home! That actually took several lessons, not necessarily very painful but she does have leverage!

My current brewing adventure is a Bell’ s Two Hearted clone recipe. I will have to admit that every step in the process I have been pleased with flavor and color. The words of A Beer Connoisseur describing the breweries offering of the Bell’s Two Hearted Ale- “ A fairly clear orange-amber beer with a low white head offers a very complex aroma that speaks of American hop varieties – floral, citrus, pine and a little orange. Gradually, some caramel notes appear. “ Those would have been my words exactly during the process.

My hen scratch but it came out wonderfully so far! Bought and suppled from The Grain Cellar in Humble, TX

I mentioned earlier that I was a brave man. Bravery. Hmmm, what is it? Courage is a word that usually comes to mind!

“ Courage is not the absence of fear. Courageous people do feel fear, but they are able to manage and overcome their fear so that it does not stop them taking action. They often use the fear to ensure that they are not overly confident and that they take the appropriate actions. “ https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/courage.html

So how does apply to me, today? Well…… today is November 25th, 2021, Thanksgiving Day in the US. It is a very busy day in the kitchen and it also the day I chose to keg my Two Hearted clone on and around the same kitchen space being used to prepare our Thanksgiving Feast. Now, I am not completely stupid so I started early, while smoking the turkey and drinking a beer……yes it was 5 O’clock somewhere. I strove to overcome my fear……fortified with an adult beverage, maybe a couple!

At the kitchen counter and bravely going into the breach!
Siphoning the finished beer of into the keg below I tilt the carboy to try and get the most liquid beer and not siphon up the yeast sediment
I am wise enough and know well enough to not anger my wife…..and to been with me for nearly 40 years she must be fairly tolerant…or has given up on the minor skirmishes but will still prevail in the major battles. Please note towel on the floor just in case!!!!!!!!…LOL
Kegged and force carbonating the beer. First official taste test was yesterday, November 30th and the thumbs were definitely strong up for this beer. I actually opened a can of Bell’s Two Hearted beer form the brewery and the tasters agreed that mine was actually more to their liking. Now that may mean I failed in brewing a clone or wildly succeeded in brewing a very good beer.
Just a bit more than a thin white head….but a lovely head and full of great aroma
It went down so easy that it just begged for a refill……and I didn’t argue.

It was a bit of a surprise when I learned that earlier in the month, Mr. Bell sold the brewery. I some respects i admire and respect Larry Bell’s journey to create and build an iconic brewery. I love his beers. I am including a link to article describing the sale. He did not sell out to and Anheuser-Busch type…..and the great beers brewed by Larry Bell will still be true to his craft.

Drink Local and Drink Responsibly

Bishop

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