I found this in the fridge and thought why not?
Thanks for that Tess! I was bottling up some more tonight to send out and I'm having one myself now.I’ve been really looking forward to this Märzen from @Alastair70, which I’ve had for a while as I was working my way through the other member’s beers in chronological order of sending lol.
My first impressions were that it smells amazingly malty which I love. Very similar to a speckled hen malt-wise but on the lager side. Hope that makes sense. I’ve never had a Märzen before, so didn’t really know what to expect. I can smell black tea as well, in a good way though, nothing bad.
It’s a copper coloured beer with light but persistent carbonation and a good head. I think this level of carbonation suits the beer very well. It has light bitterness which again is just right for me.
The flavour tastes like toast that has been toasted just right. I like mine medium brown .
The maltiness lingers for a little while and then fades away which makes you want another sip. Absolutely can’t fault this in any way. It’s another great one. Well played Alastair. We’re a big fan. May have to put this into my schedule now!
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Double decoction?Thanks for that Tess! I was bottling up some more tonight to send out and I'm having one myself now.
I'l be brewing this again, but with some minor adjustments and a decoction mash for the sheer hell of it.
Double, yes. And that's the real reason. I've got a lot more reading to do on the ins, outs and how-to's. There's a write up somewhere on the Grainfather website that'll serve as the starting point.Double decoction?
Not for the hell of it - for body, maltiness, complexity, sweetness and still a clean dry finish. Long brew day though.
To get the best flavour you need to raise the temperature well above 100C so you don’t want lots of wort in with the grain or it will take longer to boil off before you can start to raise the temperature. Caramelisation happens lower down but the formation of melanoidins needs about 125C.Double, yes. And that's the real reason. I've got a lot more reading to do on the ins, outs and how-to's. There's a write up somewhere on the Grainfather website that'll serve as the starting point.
Impressive restraint H!Dark Mild. I was thinking I might finish this quickly but got distracted by other beers. I thought I might finish it tonight but I want to see how that problematic Summer Breeze is doing and I want to try a bottle of my saison before sending those out. Also, I popped in Sainsburys for some bits - now you know how strong willed I am when it comes to beer and I did have every intention of walking past the beer isle…
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More than that picture might give me credit for - I took some out of my trolley and put them back on the shelf!Impressive restraint H!
Best get it down your neck to get rid of it quickly then H it will only get worse, the things we have to endureTrying that Summer Breeze now. It is unfortunately oxidised, not badly at this stage but the colour and the flavour are both not as clean and bright as they should be. Disappointing.
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I reckon you ought to go for a lie down h , putting beer back on the shelves , I’ve never heard the like before, some sort of crisis me thinks, get well soonMore than that picture might give me credit for - I took some out of my trolley and put them back on the shelf!
Nah! I don’t drink beer I’m not enjoying, it will go down the drain before it deteriorates much further.Best get it down your neck to get rid of it quickly then H it will only get worse, the things we have to endure
I have heard mouths and throats called a lot of things but never a drainNah! I don’t drink beer I’m not enjoying, it will go down the drain before it deteriorates much further.
I've been looking for a decent clone recipe for Dark Island for years. I tried a few - none came anywhere near the original. It's one of my wife's favouritesOrkney brewery Dark Island. Really enjoyed this, malty, coffee and chocolate.
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