Apocalyptic Zombie

It has been almost a week since this brew session took place in Mark’s dungeon so it’s high time to get this posted.

The weather was fantastic (not that it really mattered with the basement brewing) and the Dorothy Doors were open. Mark finally moved his patio furniture outside so that is where we enjoyed most of the brew session.

I’ve always known Mark to be the type of person who is even keeled. He doesn’t get too bothered or upset by what life presents. He just rolls with the show and makes the best of the situation. However, there are two things for witch Mark does not have patience or a tolerance for: mosquitoes and chipmunks.

Everyone living in Wisconsin has to deal with the mosquito situation – although it really hasn’t been that bad with all the dry weather so far this summer. But the chipmunks – whoa Nelly! I haven’t seen Mark move that fast since our college football days a few years back when he spots one invading his property. I’m not going to mention Mark’s eradication methods, but let’s just say that the critters usually out maneuver him. They have his stratagies figured out. Mark even claims that the varmints will taunt him by standing on his flower bed retaining wall while doing the I’m Alright gopher dance from Caddyshack.

David stopped by for a while and he and Mark got to try the Mango Kölsch which I thoughtfully brought specifically for Jeff (It was brewed at his place) . But alas, Jeff was a no show.

Jeff is one of those people who likes to have his “ducks in a row” and had inquired a day or two earlier for verification that the planned brew session was indeed going to take place. Mark enjoys messing with Jeff’s questions. He answers them – but not so directly at times. This frustrates Jeff – which the rest of us enjoy. Once Jeff received the information in a satisfactory manner, all was set. That is until Friday’s session got under way and Jeff texted that he wasn’t going to make it. Something about having to get things ready for a vacation that was kicking off the next day. Apparently he wasn’t aware of his planned vacation – or he just forgot about it. I don’t know what is so involved in prepping for a vacation. On the morning of, just throw your socks, underwear and tooth brush in a duffle bag and off you go. As previously indicated, Jeff’s ducks need to be properly lined up so I’m sure his prep was way more involved for a guy than it should have been.

You will notice that there is a name change on this beer. That is because this session’s recipe underwent an experimental change. We liked the hazy presentation of the beer brewed for National Homebrew Day (Star Gazer Double IPA). So, we used that grain bill (I think) and used the hop schedule for the Zombie Dirt – 10 ounces of Citra hops. This should offer the likeness of a favorite of all of us – Toppling Goliath’s Pseudo Sue. Of course, this all depends on Mark taking his hop agitation responsibility seriously. Time will tell.

I think (as previously stated) this is the grain bill for the brew as I’m not sure what Mark picked up from Northern Brewer and he wasn’t so sure either. I certainly know that oats were involved as I could identify them and the sparge was on the slow side. The sparge was not a concern while brewing the Start Gazer. Perhaps Mark got extra oats? He isn’t a numbers guy so he probably read 1.5 lb as 15 lb or something like that. Anyway, some rice hulls would have been a benefit to loosen the grain bed. His suggestion of adding some pink naked squirrels into the mash for good measure was nixed. Good thing.

Grains

• 6.5 lb. Rahr Premium Pilsner Malt
• 3.25 lb. Rahr Red Wheat Malt
• 1.5 lb. Flaked Oats
• 6 oz. Weyermann® Acidulated Malt

Hops

• 1 oz – Citra (60 minutes)
• 1 oz – Citra (20 minutes)
• 1 oz – Citra (10 minutes)
• 1 oz – Citra (5 minutes)
• 1 oz – Citra (Flameout)
• 2 oz – Citra (Dry Hop – Fermentor)
• 3 oz – Citra (Dry Hop – Keg)

Yeast

• Fermentis SafAle K-97

That’s it! Thanks for reading and get your brew on.