Not Quite

Well, I've had a few of the stout. It's not really what I was aiming for. The basis is good but there isn't quite enough body for the style. I'd like a richer malt flavor over all. I was definitely looking to get a lighter session beer and this is close. I think there is a little too much alcohol for the style and I'm sure that also accounts for some of the missing body.

Not bad overall for a first shot at this style. I'll definitely try it again with some recipe modifications. I think that as time goes on I'll have some opportunity to get some other opinions on this particular beer as well. At least one of my cronies says it grows on you. I would have to agree but it still never rounds out flavor wise.

On another note...

The neglected smoke beer is still in the fermenter. I've ended up being crazy busy with work and such so it's just aging there quietly. I've got a trip coming up so it'll be at least another week before I get the beer into bottles. Hopefully it won't be too much longer.

Stout in bottles.

Well, the stout recipe is bottled. It's been conditioning since Sunday and will be ready in about another week. I will likely sneak one this weekend and see how it's doing.

I can never wait. It's always so difficult to be patient and let the beer mature though I know from experience that it keeps changing over time, usually for the better.

The super efficient smoky bitter remains in the primary. I will likely rack it to the secondary in the next day or so. At last peek in the primary, it looked a little off, so I'll have to see how things are progressing.

I also have to produce the bottles required to get enough to bottle the SESB. I'd like to get it bottled in the next week or so.

Guess I need to get emptying bottles.