Laughing Ass Brewing Company logoWhere we brew, drink, travel for and blog about beer.
October 31, 2004

No…More…Bad….HOMEBREW!

Pardon my bastardization of a classic movie line, but after this weekend’s activities, it seemed apropos.

Halloween is a big holiday around our house. Andrea and I enjoy coming up with costumes and generally acting silly. A few months ago after watching the movie Mommie Dearest we knew what we would be: Joan and Christina Crawford.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m not a good looking 5-year-old girl, especially with the goatee. But, the costume was good enough to take the “Best Couple’s Costume” at a party we attended last night. And, we won a mini pinata shaped like a cactus. How sweet is that?

At the aforementioned party, I met a fellow brewer from Mississippi who bootlegged a few kegs across the south ala Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed. Of the three I sampled, one was really tasty — a beer inspired by Three Floyds Alpha King, with lots of centennial and cascade hops shining through.

The pilsner I tried was brewed cleanly. It was very malty and had a residual sweetness that was pleasant. The one shortcoming I thought it had was a subdued hop character, perhaps due to the Bohemian Lager yeast he used, or just not hopping aggressively enough. It was somewhat non-descript as a pilsner, but made for a perfectly drinkable lager. Clearly this is a case where you can do a lot to set drinker expectations by how the beer is described.

The third beer I tried was problematic. I don’t remember the beer’s style, but I do remember these two things: it was oxidized and cidery. It’s a shame too. It was the last beer of his that I tried, and the last impression that I had of his beers. It might have helped to do some quality control sampling right before serving for guests — I know he wouldn’t have served that keg if he had tried it first.

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Filed under: by Patrick @ 9:22 pm
October 29, 2004

Dogwood Stout. Yummy.

Friday night is all right for fighting, or for a relaxing beer after a long week. Rather than meet Tyler and the boys for a go, I’m settling in for a beer. Tonight’s choice: Dogwood Stout.

As I enjoy the last couple of sips of this bottle, I am impressed with its balance. Substantial, but not flambouyant roast flavors are the perfect underpinnings for the slightly acidic top notes from the black malt. As it warms up, the higher alcohols work with the maltiness to create a much more satisfying finish. What’s more is the ease with which this beer does down. Without thinking I finished the bottle in under 20 minutes — and that’s because on my taking sips between keystrokes.

It’s really a shame that this brewery couldn’t find a profitable place in the Atlanta market. Beers like this one made a name for Dogwood during it’s operation, and will be part of a meaningful legacy going forward.

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Filed under: by Patrick @ 11:36 pm
October 27, 2004

Brewer’s Log: Holiday Brew 2004

Tonight, I’m going back to the future to brew a version of my first Holiday Beer. Since this is the 10th Anniversary year of the LABC, it seemed appropriate to dust off an old favorite and update it. This brew will have a mellow hop profile so the honey and spices can come to the forefront. Here are the particulars:

For 10 gallons, 80% efficiency:
15.0 lbs 2-row pale malt
1.5 lb Orange blossom honey
1.0 lb Crystal 60
1.0 lb Biscuit malt
1.0 lb Special B malt
0.5 lb Chocolate malt
1.0 tsp dried ginger
6.0 in cinnamon stick
0.5 oz sweet orange peel

1.5 oz Centennial hops (leaf)
0.5 oz Sazz hops (leaf)

Mash in at 152 degrees for 60 minutes.

Add 1.5 oz of Centennial when boiling starts. At 45 minutes, add the honey, spices and Irish moss. At 57 minutes, add the Saaz. Knockout and pitch with WLP001 or Wyeast 1056

Expected OG: 1.061
IBUs: 33

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