The Great Grain Heist of 2011

A midnight mission for 50lb sacks of malted barley for brewing. Thanks to all who helped set this up!

The Great Pagosa Grain Heist of 2011

Vikes bench the Pounder, bet on Webb (again...)

After giving the Lion's 24 points in turnovers last week, the Vikes decided to sit Ponder and go with Webb for the win. A late game officiating travesty of epic proportions cost the poor Vikes the game when Webb's head was nearly torn off, forcing a fumble for the Lion's win as time ran out. It was basically the opposite the luck the Broncos have been having. Poor Vikes. We will see what happens this week when they face the Saints.

Rumor has it the AP will be back in the game, along with all of the rest of the vikings squad, save Cook, who is still dealing with the legal aftermath of beating up his girlfriend. Dumbass.

Getting ready for the Holidays!

Winter is upon us

With her puppy

Mr. Puppy!

Snowy Doodle-face

Ferocious!

Ready to help with snow removal

Rufus playing his favorite winter game, bite the snow being flung from the blower

Our tree is up

Ta-Da!

Da Bears!

Ho HO! With Cutler hurt and Haine playing like a heine, the desperate Bears going looking for help. But where can they find the calm hand of experience this deep into the season, you ask?!?

Hey Chicago, I'm your Huckleberry!

Mesa Verde Sunrise

Mesa Verde at Sunrise, November 2011

Vikes wave McNabb, bet on the Pounder

What the...?

As my buddy Dave said, "Duh Oh, McRib outlasted Mcnabb!" I, for one, am not sad, except at the money and draft pick that it cost the team. I think there is a lot of field presence in Christian Ponder, and with some time in the pocket from the offensive line, a few receivers to throw it at, and some re-vamping of the backfield defense, the Vikes will be on a roll. Oh well, next Year.

And from the official story, "McNabb was in the locker room, seen rather innocuously asking running backAdrian Peterson to autograph a jersey. But he was gone by the time practice began and unavailable for comment."

ho HO!

Turkey Brew Day!

The weather was fantastic on Thanksgiving Day, and I used the opportunity to brew up a batch of Scotch Ale out on the deck.

The recipe:

Type: All Grain	Date: 11/24/2011
Batch Size: 6.00 gal	Brewer: Joe Mama
Boil Size: 8.53 gal	Asst Brewer: Rufus
Boil Time: 60 min	Equipment: My Rig - 15gal Mash Cooler + 9gal Brew Pot
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0	Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00
Taste Notes:
Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU 14 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 81.16 % 1 lbs Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 5.80 % 1 lbs Munich Malt - 20L (20.0 SRM) Grain 5.80 % 1 lbs Special Roast (50.0 SRM) Grain 5.80 % 2.4 oz Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 0.87 % 1.6 oz Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 0.58 % 0.50 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 17.2 IBU 0.50 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (30 min) Hops 13.2 IBU 1.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min) Misc 1 Pkgs Scottish Ale (Wyeast Labs #1728) [Starter 1000 ml] Yeast-Ale

Brew Buddy Rufus

Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 17.391 Plato	Measured Original Gravity: 17.390 Plato
Est Final Gravity: 5.043 Plato	Measured Final Gravity: 5.040 Plato
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 6.81 %	Actual Alcohol by Vol: 6.82 %
Bitterness: 30.4 IBU	Calories: 329 cal/pint
Est Color: 17.5 SRM	Color: Color
Mash Profile
Mash Name: Single Infusion, Light Body	Total Grain Weight: 17.25 lb
Sparge Water: 1.76 gal	Grain Temperature: 66.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F	TunTemperature: 50.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: TRUE	Mash PH: 5.4 PH
Single Infusion, Light Body Step Time Name Description Step Temp 75 min Mash In Add 5.39 gal of water at 166.0 F 150.0 F 10 min Mash Out Add 3.45 gal of water at 201.8 F 168.0 F
Mash Notes: Simple single infusion mash for use with most modern well modified grains (about 95% of the time).
Notes
Substituted 40L for 80L as I have 8lb of the stuff Mash in: 10:20am thanksgiving Day. 75 Min at 148-150, pulled 1.5gal runnings and boiled for 20 min to carmelize. Added 3.5 gal boiling H20, steep 10min, Mash out: 12:00 Was in a hurry, and ended up with 6gal at 1.072 rather than 5 a 1.090. Ho Ho! More beer. Lower gravity might allow hop flavor to dominate more than intended. Ferment Primary 9 days and rack to keg for extended secondary in bsmt.

Phil n' Friends in Denver, Feb16-18

Wow - Scofield, Haynes and Greene with Joe Russo!?! Might have to make the trip.