Session Beer Series: Scottish 70-

I am continuing my Session Ale kick. I'll explain my recent obsession .

I think Session Ales are the next wave in Craft Brewing. Yes, craft beer has blown up in the past years and it will continue being a high growth business. But I personally think for craft beer to continue to grow it must be in a price range that more people can afford or at least be tempted to try. So by making a low gravity beer the customer can get the taste without the price tag. I also understand that beer ingredients are a low percentage of the actual cost to the consumer but it may help. The other issue with session beers is the shelf life because of the low alcohol level and sometimes hopping rate. So this will limit the range of the brewery to be more local or to brew smaller more frequent batches. Lastly, I am not convinced how many people are drinking beer just for the alcohol benefit, I would rather be able to taste and drink 10 session beers than 4-5 IPAs.

On to the beer style, this is my favorite because I am a fan malty, slightly sweet beer, not because of the reason my wife thinks which is I like everything Scottish. This is my second time brewing the beer and it is again a JZ recipe. It was my favorite beer of 2009. It did pretty well in competition but main complaint was the body is too low. So this year I will be mashing even higher around 158 but by using Cal Ale yeast this beer will still dry out. The thing I enjoyed in this beer last go around was it had a great sweet malt smell but was fairly dry tasting. I believe the honey malt in addition to the decent amount of crystal created this.


Recipe: Scottish Ale 70-
O.G.-1.035  F.G.-TBD   IBU-13  
SRM-15   ABV-TBD   Cal-TBD

Grain Bill (75% Efficiency):
2.5 lb Maris Otter (65.6%)
8 oz Crystal 40L (13.1%)
4 oz Crystal 120L (6.6%) 
4 oz Munich Malt (6.6%)
4 oz Honey Malt (6.6%) 
1 oz Chocolate(UK) (1.6%)

Hops:
.25 oz East Kent Goldings, 5%, pellet, 90 min 13 IBU (100%)


Yeast:
1 vial of White Labs WLP001


Brew Day:
Brewed: 03/21/10
Kegged: TBD

Water:
San Diego (Alvarado) Tap Water
1 campden tablet for 5 gal.

Mash Details:
H2O/Grain Ratio: 1.33 qt/lb
Mash Volume: 1.25 gal
Sacc Rest. Temp/Time: 158F @ 60min
Strike Temp: 172F
Batch Sparge Volume: 4 gal
Sparge Temp/Time: 170F @ 30min

Boil Details:
Boil Volume: 4.5 gal
Pre Boil O.G.: TBD
Boil Time: 90min
Post Boil Volume: 3 gal

Ferment Details:
O.G.: TBD
Ferment Temp: 64-68F
Length: 7 days
F.G.: TBD
App Attenuation: TBD
Actual Efficiency: TBD

Undercover San Diego: Cedar Creek Falls

This place is not the most secret place in San Diego but is worth listing because it is one of the better adventures in San Diego County. Cedar Creek Falls can get pretty crowded on holiday weekends and nice spring/summer weekends. If you hike during the week you have a chance at it being deserted. Remember you are going to a waterfall so "winter" or spring is the best time to see the falls flowing. Late spring and early summer are still nice to use a swimming hole because it is shallow and will warm up.

To get there you have 2 choices and each way is quite different:
Ramona Trailhead to get to the trailhead google map "15500 thornbush rd san diego ,ca". Elevation drop is about 900 ft in about 1.8 mi. Some sections are very steep and especially strenuous on the way out with no shade.

Julian Trailhead is located at the end of Eagle Peak Rd (google map "pine hills rd , Palomar-Julian, San Diego, California 92036")Eagle Peak Rd is dirt for about 10 miles until it dead ends at the trail head. This trail has about the same elevation drop (900ft) in 2.5 miles and is much more gradual but also doesn't have shade.

So take your pick Ramona - easy drive but harder hike or Julian - longer drive but easier hike

In the past, you have used the Ramona Trailhead because I don't like driving and I don't mind the hike (as long as its not 110 like it can be in the summer). The trail is obvious and has nice views of the canyon especially in spring with the wild flowers. When you reach the bottom of the canyon you will cross the San Diego River and continue straight. You then follow along Cedar Creek with a few crossings and some nice shade. You will soon see the falls and rather large swimming hole.
The rocks on the left as you face the falls are popular for jumping from. Caution should be taken because the water can be shallow especially after the recent fires. You can also swim up to the falls and slide down the lower portion. People have even jumped from the cliffs on the right but this is not recommended because of the recent shallow waters.

The hike out can be painful so make sure to stash some cold drinks in your car. And make sure you bring plenty of water on your hike because this area gets hot. Also you will need a Forest Adventure Pass to park by either trailhead (these are available at locally or on the internet)

Ash's Azuki Bike Build / Restore: Frame

So I have started to make some progress. I completely take apart the bike. I mean everything down to the screws.

For the frame I decided I needed to start fresh since the paint is in horrible condition and there is a lot of rust. Normally with a restore you don't want to touch the paint or you lose value but for this project the original bike has no value and my wife cares more that it looks pretty than being authentic. So out comes the angle grinder with a wire brush attachment. (this is not the professional way, if you want to have a great paint job take it to a shop to get sand/bead blasted then powder coated cost $75 - $300 (my way about $12+labor)). This took me a couple hours and with the tight spots you will have sand by hand.
Now with a bare frame I wiped it down with degreaser and then soap and water. I stuffed newspaper into the openings and jammed coat hangers through the openings. Then hang up the frame and fork and surround yourself with plastic or sheets.


Now onto the paint, the best stuff to use is automotive paint. And you will need primer, base coat (color) and a clear coat. I could not find auto paint so I went with Krylon paint from HD. This is a $12 test and if it doesn't last then I'll redo with more expensive paint. But make sure that your paint is all the same brand. So on a very clean frame I sprayed 2 very light coats on the frame. Then within 10 minutes I added 2 thin layer of base coat (gloss white). And then again within 10 minutes, 2 more coats of glossy clear coat. With all this painting the quality all depends on the surface preparation. It must be clear of dirt, hand grease and old paint. And if you notice any drips (shouldn't since you are doing several light coats) then wait till it drys to the touch (30 min) and wet sand with 600 grit paper.

I like how the frame turned out and now I'll wait about a week for the paint to really cure, then onto to the components.