Right Back Up In Ya! The return of Fear The Beard!

What good is a brewing blog if you never brew?  I feel the same way.  Well ladies and gentlemen I am pleased to announce that this is no longer the case.  I have returned to both the world of amateur brew science, and my signature payment of homage to the greatest closer of all time (who by the way just closed out his second game in two nights).

Fear The Beard Ingredients!

Now back to the beer.  Feeling slightly jilted after the last beer disaster, and strapped for cash-flow, my brewing life has been on hold.  After many sleepless nights, and some careful financial planning, I have returned to the creation of magical alcoholic elixirs.  

This beer has been brewed before, and with successful results (at least that is what I have been told), but I wanted more.  The first recipe used a German yeast, which made a German-style hefeweizen.  While German hefe tastes great, it usually has a strong banana and clove flavor to it.  With this incarnation I wanted to create something closer to a Widmer Hefeweizen.  In order to achieve this, I am using an American-Hefeweizen yeast strain, as well as a few other tweaks (such as adding flour to create a cloudier beer).  Saaz, Liberty, and a few Sterling hops were utilized to round out the beer, and terrano blood oranges provided the citrusy goodness.

Pre-Boil Tea!

Finished Product!

In all, the brew session was successful, and I am excited to try the new variation in a few weeks.  Hopefully my next brewing update will be much sooner than my last.  Cheers to you B Willy!

Eugenio!

Ah what a weekend...  My wonderful wife and I decided to take a little overnight trip to the People's Socialist Republic of Eugene, and what a trip it was.  I have spent years trying to convince Ashley that Eugene is a great place to visit and maybe even live...I have stopped trying.

Read the fine print on the sign...Then look at the paper bag.  Common Eugene occurrence.

Eugene is in fact the weirdest place on Earth.  A city whose per capita population of sorcerers, hippies, elves, environmentalists, stoners, super stoners, and nudists is higher than anywhere else on the planet.  That being said, I still love Eugene.  Aside from being the home of my favorite team, Eugene provides me with constant entertainment.  I love being around weirdos, and I love to interact with them even more.  Hence, I never have a dull time being in this little town.

Now, to the real reason for our excursion.  My dearest friend Gregory was playing his first show with a full band.  August Light, which consists of Greg, his buddy Nate, and a couple other guys I have never met, performed the midnight show at the Oak Street Speakeasy.  While it was late, they rocked the house.  Playing what I would call a mix of Pop, John Mayer, Jazz, and Hip Hop, August Light did not disappoint me or the rest of their fans.  Check them out on Facebook here, and when they make it big I will take the credit for being there in the beginning.

Back to Eugene.  I thank you for my time spent in your embrace.  I probably will not see you again until the fall, and that is ok.  Your weirdness and peculiar aura has seeped into my soul, and I think I have enough to last me through the summer.

fARTsy Friday: Jonathan Mannion

Today I'm sharing another dope photographer, whose definitely got an impressive resume, with you guys.  Jonathan Mannion is one of the most influential hop-hop photographers of all time.  Aside from doing all of Jay-Z's album covers, he has photographed countless other rappers, artists, and dope boys.  Check out the link here for a promo of his upcoming features, and then take a look at some of my favorites by Mr. Mannion.  Enjoy!

Jonathan Mannion Official Site