Just a tad tardy on this post (again). This school thing sure takes up a lot of time! An opportunity to be a brewer’s assistant recently presented itself and I had to pass on it. Yup, school again. Guess that is what college was for so I better get my money’s worth with the school thing.
November 05 was “Teach A Friend To Homebrew Day.” Since I am lacking when it comes to friends, Mark understood my dilemma and bravely volunteered to fulfill that role. Not having a friend on “Teach A Friend To Homebrew Day” would set the stage for sadness and disappointment. Thanks Mark!
I just double checked and was reminded that it was “Learn To Homebrew Day” instead. Oh well, what I have typed – I have typed. That just goes to show what happens when too much time passes.
Anyway, this was another American Homebrewers Association (AHA) event. This was “borrowed” from the AHA site:
“In 1999, Learn To Homebrew Day was established as the first Saturday in November by the American Homebrewers Association to promote the most rewarding and delicious activity of all time—homebrewing. Beer lovers worldwide are invited to brew, share their knowledge, and celebrate the hobby of homebrewing annually.”
Well stated AHA! And it gives us a reason to brew, enjoy food and engage in fellowship.
Time out! Doesn’t the author of this prestigious site have a Saturday retail job that has occupied his Saturdays for 20+ years? This must be a hoax. Made up. A sham. A scam. A hallucination. He probably lives in Nigeria and has Florida lakefront property to sell you.
As Charlie Papazian, the nuclear engineer, and Godfather of Homebrew said (perhaps once or twice), “Relax, Don’t Worry, Have a Homebrew.” In other words, don’t get you knickers in a twist. I took the day off. Yes, I do that once in a very great while.
The AHA’s suggested recipe was called “Hoppy Amber” and was geared for a 1 gallon batch. There was a 3 gallon version – if you sought it. As previously stated in the prior post (I think), Mark stated it well. “Brewing one gallon of beer is like getting the Weber charcoal grill all fired up to cook one hotdog.” (I guess the three gallon would equate to three hotdogs.) We were going to go all in so the recipe was “enhanced” to produce the typical five gallons. Thus, I can call it Happy Hoppy Amber.
Faithful readers know that last month’s brew was the highly anticipated Father, Bread, Evil. If you don’t know this, quit being a slacker and get caught up. It’s not like there is a post every other day.
Anyway, FBE’s namesake is the Lord’s Prayer. (Go back and review if need be.) And there is a connection to this post. (Otherwise I’d be wasting your time with you reading all this.) I’ll get to it now.
I use a Bible app to do some devotional reading in the mornings before getting the day underway. There is always a random verse from scripture on the site. The verse for November 05 was Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.” And the Lord certainly did! Mark & Helen had an abundance of daily bread for the day. Fantastic!
It didn’t take long before the daily bread appeared. Mark kicked the event off very well by presenting his rendition of the Bloody Mary shortly after my arrival. Y’all know pictures are very rare on this site but this one needs to be here.
These were absolutely fantastic! Daily bread in a glass. I’ll have another, please.
The daily bread did not end there. Oh no, it was just beginning. Beer and snacks were in plenty. Mark’s wife, Helen, procured a slow cooker German Stew followed by a fabulous desert. Daily bread was a fitting theme for the day. Thanks Blauerts!
Happy Hoppy Amber is a simple beer,” as it needs to be for a “Learn to Homebrew” or “Teach A Friend To Homebrew” or whatever event. Mark took a more active role in the brew session and gives the occasional impression that he actually likes it. But before I get into the recipe, the awaited Dorothy Door Report: Sadly, due to rain and cold, the DDs were closed – and probably will be for some months now. However, there was a break in the weather which allowed the doors to be opened briefly for the spent grain removal. Mark loves chipmunks so the spent grain is deposited behind the shrubbery to aid in chipmunk survival for the next generation(s).
You too can make your very own Happy Hoppy Amber Ale by using the following brew things:
Grains
- 2 Row Brewer’s Malt – 10 lb
- Crystal Malt 60° L – 0.5 lb
- Chocolate Malt – 0.25 lb
Hops
- Amarillo – 1 oz @ 60 min
- Amarillo – 0.5 oz @ 15 min
- Amarillo – 0.5 oz @ Flameout
Yeast
- Fermentis – Safale US-05 (1 pouch)
Analysis (Estimated, Not Actual)
- OG – 1.056
- FG – 1.014
- Color – 16 SRM
- Alcohol – 5.5 ABV
- Bitterness – 39 IBU
The next brew session(s) will most likely be over Christmas break. Until then, a happy, healthy and blessed Thanksgiving to you all.
2 replies on “Happy Hoppy Amber”
Looking forward to the finished product. It should be noted there are two bourbon barrel aged kegs that are almost ready to be tapped
Hey! You found and used the “Comments” section. Good for you!
Yes, those kegs have been waiting patiently and soon the time will be upon us to give them the attention they deserve. Looking forward to it!
For the curious, these beers were brewed sometime back for the upcoming holiday festivities. You can find the recipes if you put in the effort. Cheers!