Instigator

"Better order the next round. Bottoms up!"

We love getting out at this time of year. Usually I just knock back a few Coopers Mild Ales in camp, but no one really wants to see pictures of me drinking those.

Spent the weekend camping out the back of Undara Lodge. They usually have something from local brewers at the bistro. This time they had a few different brews from Hemingway's Brewery. Now, Hemingway's had a bad reputation among craft brew lovers up here since they opened a few years ago. All of the brews had the same awful taste underneath that I always blamed on their bittering process. It offended my palate enough that if friends wanted to go there I always drank some other brewery's ginger beer. Rumour is that around 12 months ago they got a new head brewer, so I thought I'd give them another chance. Both of these were quite nice, and I got through a few of the Hefeweizens. I'll try their IPAs etc the next time I'm in the Hemingway's bar.

The dirt and poverty is how I feel about Port Moresby. Capital city of a country and there's burned out car wrecks on the side of the road, people driving around with spring mesh covering their car windows, hundreds of people just milling around outside shops that looked like fortresses. My first time there the person that picked me up from the airport freaked out because I didn't have my car door locked. At the airport as I was leaving I was approached to see if I could carry a parcel for them back to Cairns. This is 1.5 hours flying time north of Cairns. You'll like Japan. Go find the little hole-in-the-wall eateries in the side alleys and you'll find Heaven in your mouth. The beer, while not offensive, is kind of dull for my tastes. I find it interesting that a properly served glass of beer is roughly 1/2 head.

If you missed out on GABS, you might like to grab one of these: https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_492029/gabs-2021-festival-variety-pack I picked one up today. Someone is going to have to explain to me what a TIPA is, though.

I do enjoy a tallie of CSA, but I can't say I've ever thought of it as sweet. Will have to add couple (or a few) to the trolley next time I'm in Dans.

Werner, you need to tell us your recipe/s. Personally I suspect you are using too much dextrose or sugar, but without the recipe no one can offer serious help.

I agree with those two blokes, but to answer your actual question, about 1kg is enough if you don't add the extra malt. Use less if you do. The general rule of thumb is 1kg of extra fermentables. Welcome to the forum. Let us know how everything turns out.

I never really thought about it before but apparently Woolies sells it: https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/117715/pb2-powdered-peanut-butter

You could probably give the Really Satisfies Stout recipe a crack, too. Coopers also sell the Chocolate malt grain these days, so you'd just have to source the Peanut Butter powder.

Hah! Just in Cairns, North Qld. Probably the least cold place in Oz at the moment. It's usually too hot up here so this time of year is perfect for both a fire and drinking stout. I had also just bottled a batch of strong ale (in the black crates in front of the open door) so rewarded myself.

'Tis the season. One Drop Brewing's The Big Bad Wolf - Nitro Imperial Pastry Stout. 10% ABV. I really enjoyed this.

It's been maybe 20 years since I was last in Adelaide. I stayed with a couple of mates who loved West End. Now, I had to use the old rule about "the only complaint you can make about the free beer your mate is handing you is about the serving temperature" and I wound up drinking quite a few. Never had one prior or since. Still, I don't like seeing historic breweries close, especially after they've been bought out by the megacorps who always ruin things by cheapening them. It's a real shame for the staunch fans who are probably old blokes that will take it hard.

The recipe for this looks like it should be tasty.

I don't remember my first CD for sure but it was probably AC/DC Dirty Deeds. I'm pretty sure my first LP was something from KISS. Probably Hotter Than Hell, but might have been Dressed To Kill. My older brother had all the AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Dead Kennedys, Talking Heads etc albums, so I didn't need to buy them myself.