2013 Brewing Goals

This has been a great year for me both personally and in the beer world. A few highlights from the beer side:

• GABF - This was my first time attending and won't be the last. We had a well planned out trip and it couldn't have been more entertaining with a balance of beer and hiking. I got to so many sour and farmhouse beers that really helped guide my palate to what I want from my homebrews. Our Plan. Our Experience.

• Placing in a Beer Competition - I'm too cheap to enter very many competitions, but I entered a few this year. My French Saison scored a 41, but didn't place in the First Round of the NHC. A couple months later, my blended 2011 Flanders Red scored 2nd at the San Diego County Fair Homebrew competition.

• Barrel Project - For year's I have wanted to age some beer in a barrel and this year it came together. With 5 other members from my homebrew club (QUAFF) we brewed an American Saison and fermented it in a freshly racked Chardonnay Barrel. Brewday here. Bottling here. Tasting here.

Brewing Calendar:

Jan.:
Split Batch: Berliner Weiss (5 Gal) - Belgian Single (5 gal)

Feb.:
Belgian Grand Cru - using homemade candi sugar for the color and flavor

March:
Belgian Quad - Hopefully a Collaboration with Jeff B
Split on Cognac soaked oak and Grand Marnier soaked oak

April:
Biere De Garde - A Possible Collaboration with Lewy Brewing and Danny at Deeper Roots Brewing

May: 

Table Saison - Using a new grain type and multiple Saison strains

Flanders Red

June: 

Traditional Saison
1 gal batch – St. Somewhere dregs

July:
Dark Saison

August:
100% Brett Beer Experiment - Still acquiring strains

Sept.:
Homegrown Hops Pale Ale

Oct:
English Dark Mild

Nov:
Big Body Stout for Blending

Dec:
HUGE Barleywine

Other Goals

• Setup 4 tap keezer in the new garage
• Acquire a couple barrels for some group projects
• Host a big blending session
• Find time to brew

Cheers and Happy New Year!