Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 Hi All Ye Brewers and Happy New Year for 2021! Thought it would be good to run this thread again to see what your favourite brew or couple brews were in the challenging year of 2020? Here's a fave of mine way back from March 2020 (had a few and sort of like the range and diversity of AG brewing thanks to the help of this great Community of Brewers!!!): Will tag a few of you Brewers to see if I can get the ball rolling ; ) All postings welcome @Shamus O'Sean @Otto Von Blotto @PaddyBrew2 @Greeny1525229549 @ChristinaS1 @Beerlust @Green Blob @Red devil 44 @Aussiekraut @kmar92 @Mickep @pilotsh @Titan @Pale Man @Hoppy81 @Hilltop hops @Maurice79 @Norris! @The Captain!! @BlackSands @MUZZY @RDT2 @elLachlano @MitchBastard @Hairy @Worthog 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MUZZY 2,500 Posted January 1 I only do kits n' bits. In 2020 I discovered Brew A IPA. Mixed it with liquid light malt extract and the kit yeast, no other additions. I don't have a photo but I'd have to say it's the one I enjoyed the most in 2020. It doesn't require additions, IMO. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 4 minutes ago, MUZZY said: I only do kits n' bits. In 2020 I discovered Brew A IPA. Mixed it with liquid light malt extract and the kit yeast, no other additions. I don't have a photo but I'd have to say it's the one I enjoyed the most in 2020. It doesn't require additions, IMO. A beautiful thing Muzzy!!! (And I would get rid of that word "only" haha as you can make great beers with KnK as you have clearly shown us all!!!) 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lab Cat 1,277 Posted January 1 (edited) Nice stout. Looks like a bought one, but better. Like Muzzy, I gave the Brew A a go for my last brew of the year, despite not being an IPA drinker. It's a nice, full flavoured bitter IPA without being craft beer crazy. Keeping it lighter bodied with BE2 and some malt, steeped cascade and simcoe with it so I wouldn't add any bitterness. Beer I was happiest with is the Kolsch I made last month. Cerveza, BE2 + some malt, steeped Hellertau and Kolsch yeast. Took 13 days to ferment and needed pushing along with temp, but the nicest summer beer I've done. Clear as a bell, crisp, quenching and nicely floral. Another is in the FV right now. I throw up some pics after knocking a top off later... Edited January 1 by Lab Cat 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 7 minutes ago, Lab Cat said: Nice stout. Looks like a bought one, but better. Cheers LC Yes mate that big Stout turned out super... getting the gas just right with the Nitro Mix is still somewhat a challenge... but that one -- after a few weeks -- came up really very nice and the brew was eminently drinkable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hairy 3,988 Posted January 1 My favourite beer this year was nothing fancy and had a really simple grain bill, but it didn’t last long at all. Sometimes you just want a beer you love to drink. I need to get some more of these hops and do it again. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 1 minute ago, Hairy said: I need to get some more of these hops and do it again. A beautiful thing @Hairy Hairy - do you do much mashing at 64 deg C? Is sort of a Temp I have been gravitating towards... And also - interested in the ten deg lower Hopstand... I cool mine down overnight and am scared to open the lid after turning the element off... have begun doing FO hopping... but not dropping the temp then hopping - which prolly would do even better for aroma retention? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 @iBooz2 Boozer - would be nice to see your own favourite brew over on this thread... if it's up there with the u-beaut barbie pork skewers you posted on the barbie thread haha it will be pure GOLD! : ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hairy 3,988 Posted January 1 12 minutes ago, Graubart said: A beautiful thing @Hairy Hairy - do you do much mashing at 64 deg C? Is sort of a Temp I have been gravitating towards... And also - interested in the ten deg lower Hopstand... I cool mine down overnight and am scared to open the lid after turning the element off... have begun doing FO hopping... but not dropping the temp then hopping - which prolly would do even better for aroma retention? I sometimes mash at 64°C but most pale ales are at either 65°C or 66°C. I found when using Wyeast 1450: Denny’s Favourite 50 that it attenuated well but still had a good body, so I mashed those beers at 64°C. Re Hopstand, it isn’t really a proper hopstand. I Whirlpool in the low 90’s and add those hops then. I no-chill in the cube so the temp stays high for a while. Entering in the software that way gives me the bitterness I think I derive. It seems to work and helps with consistency. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red devil 44 1,100 Posted January 1 It would probably be my K n K expanded Pale Ale, heavily hopped with Citra. ( Pic Below ), of which I nickname Fear of the Dark Pale Ale ( Up the Irons ) Stone & Wood Clone coming down the straight to a close second. Cheers Crew & Happy New Yr to all RD44 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shamus O'Sean 3,636 Posted January 1 This year I had four favourites - I scored all of them 9/10. Coopers XPA Promising Ale Island Toasted Coconut Porter Fruity Golden Ale And the statue goes to - Fruity Golden Ale, although the photo does not do it justice. It is an all grain brew inspired by @NewBrews Master of the Brewniverse entry "Two Flags Golden Ale". Coopers yeast banana aroma plus subtle fruity Wheat beer flavour and mouthfeel Special mention to my Sue's Seahorse Kolsch 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greeny1525229549 2,031 Posted January 1 (edited) Made many a brew this year which has been good but most are repeats or slight tweaks on existing recipes. Id probably have to say the best new brew I have made is the KB Lager Recipe that @MartyG1525230263 kindly gave me. For a former megaswill beer its bloody good which makes me wonder why the big breweries decided to go backwards in there offerings. Another which comes to mind is the kviek sour i made a couple of months ago. For a first sour I was pleasantly surprised. Edited January 1 by Greeny1525229549 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pale Man 1,022 Posted January 1 (edited) For me without a doubt my first ever all grain. Hoppys Hort Ale. It was delicious. Cleared up magnificent in the keg, and my daughter said to me it was the nicest beer she's ever had. I have a Pilsner to brew next then it's another Hort Ale, hope it's as good as the below pic shows. Edited January 1 by Pale Man 8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pale Man 1,022 Posted January 1 4 hours ago, Hairy said: My favourite beer this year was nothing fancy and had a really simple grain bill, but it didn’t last long at all. Sometimes you just want a beer you love to drink. I need to get some more of these hops and do it again. Gladfield malts are very good. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmar92 141 Posted January 1 I am only a humble KnK and bits and pieces brewer at this stage but I particularly liked 1 of the ROTM's, Belgian Chocolate Stout. Turned out really well with nice chocolate and vanilla taste and aromas and a velvety mouthfeel. I will definitely be brewing it again for winter consumption. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 16 minutes ago, Pale Man said: Cleared up magnificent in the keg, and my daughter said to me it was the nicest beer she's ever had. A truly beautiful thing and what a resounding positive welcome to the world of All Grain mate - luvyerwork @Pale Man PM! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shamus O'Sean 3,636 Posted January 1 44 minutes ago, kmar92 said: ROTM's, Belgian Chocolate Stout One of my favourites too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MitchBastard 1,714 Posted January 1 Had a few favs. Few IPAs, couple of hazys, the odd lager and a handful of pales....even a god damn sour. 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 4 minutes ago, kmar92 said: I am only a humble KnK and bits and pieces brewer Haha you keen Kit and adjunct guys need to get rid of the "only" as you are clearly making great beers!!! Besides the fact @kmar92 yourself I believe you are doing it all temp controlled and in a snazzy SS Pressure Ferment System and in Kegs haha... And as you may note from time to time quite a few of the AG guns drop back into KnK when time poor cos they know that with good process they can make a good beer that way too Cheers mate and a lovely looking drop there ; ) What did the ABV end up at? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graubart 4,495 Posted January 1 28 minutes ago, MitchBastard said: Had a few favs. Haha Gold Mitchie! Seems to be a common theme: the more than one fav'... which is great to see... the fact that one can change it up does make it all the more interesting ; ) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmar92 141 Posted January 1 27 minutes ago, Graubart said: Haha you keen Kit and adjunct guys need to get rid of the "only" as you are clearly making great beers!!! Besides the fact @kmar92 yourself I believe you are doing it all temp controlled and in a snazzy SS Pressure Ferment System and in Kegs haha... And as you may note from time to time quite a few of the AG guns drop back into KnK when time poor cos they know that with good process they can make a good beer that way too Cheers mate and a lovely looking drop there ; ) What did the ABV end up at? It finished at 5.4% which was below what was predicted. I found the S-33 yeast quite low in attenuation and the FG was 1.020, it was a tasty drop though. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilltop hops 828 Posted January 1 Hort, Azacca, Mosaic/ Kveik hazy was prob one of my favs. All my brews have been pretty similar its either an IPA, APA or NEIPA. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChristinaS1 1,151 Posted January 1 Nice idea for a thread. Neat to see everyone's faves. Mine was: Juicy Bits Pale Ale April 1, 2020 1.7kg Mexican Cervesa 1.5kg Light LME 850gm Superior Pale Ale 150gm Carapils 145gm flaked oats 40gm Cents @ FO 20gm Citra @ 75C / 179F. 20gm Mosaic @ 75C 20gm El Dorado @ 75C Clarity Ferm 23L RO water 10gm Citra x 4 day DH 10gm Mosaic x 4 day DH 10gm El Dorado x 4 day DH Gen 2 WLP95 Burlington Ale pitched @ 1:45p.m. @ 18.5C. Fridge set to 18C. OG 1.053; FG 1.013; IBU 27; ABV 5.2%; BU:GU 0.52. Loved that Burlington Ale yeast. All the brews I made with it were great. I should buy it again. Happy New Year everyone! Let's hope life gets back to normal in 2021. Cheers, Christina. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greeny1525229549 2,031 Posted January 1 Let's hope indeed @ChristinaS1. Happy new year to you. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoppy81 564 Posted January 1 11 hours ago, Graubart said: Hi All Ye Brewers and Happy New Year for 2021! Thought it would be good to run this thread again to see what your favourite brew or couple brews were in the challenging year of 2020? Here's a fave of mine way back from March 2020 (had a few and sort of like the range and diversity of AG brewing thanks to the help of this great Community of Brewers!!!): Will tag a few of you Brewers to see if I can get the ball rolling ; ) All postings welcome @Shamus O'Sean @Otto Von Blotto @PaddyBrew2 @Greeny1525229549 @ChristinaS1 @Beerlust @Green Blob @Red devil 44 @Aussiekraut @kmar92 @Mickep @pilotsh @Titan @Pale Man @Hoppy81 @Hilltop hops @Maurice79 @Norris! @The Captain!! @BlackSands @MUZZY @RDT2 @elLachlano @MitchBastard @Hairy @Worthog My favourite would definitely have to be my chocolate, coffee and fig Stout. It's such a complex brew but so worth it and when I finally get around to finishing my licensing off I'll definitely be putting it into production Second would be my Pale Ale using Hort 4337 (aka Nectaron) hops, such an easy drinker. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
