Beer saga continues!

Congratulations Mr. Beer, I am now obsessed.

Two weeks ago I just bottled my first batch of Pale Ale and left it to lager.  I must say using EZ cap bottles are the way to go.  They provide a great seal every time (great for newbies like me), and they look cool.  Word to the wise: I would recommend picking these up at your local brewing store.  Shipping can be expensive otherwise, and most places won't guarantee you unbroken bottles.  I bought mine for $29.00 for (16) 16oz. This weekend I will pop open my first one and try.  I am counting down the days.  When I bottled it I took a little sip and it tasted like the fancy beer you were drinking the night before but left on your night stand before you passed out, but then you woke up in the middle of the night and took a drunken swig.  In other words flat, good beer.  After a two week lager process (adding the brew to bottles and then adding a  bit of sugar to provide your beer with a bit of carbonation) it should be tasting wonderful.

Two weeks ago, after bottling the Pale Ale, I tried a Mr. Beer Cranberry Maibock recipe, it has all sorts of extra goodies added to it, like cranberry puree, honey, Cinnamon, and cloves to make for a very festive beer.  Ho, ho, ho, with a 9.5 ABV you're sure to be flying high with the reindeer. 

I can't wait to share the beer cases and labels I made...soon.

Mr. Beer: The introduction

My trend of Friday posts... they usually include drinking. 

Why break the trend, right?

This weekend our little Edgewater apartment will be transformed into a microbrewery.  Awhile back (at a garage sale) I bought a brand new-in box- never used- Mr. Beer kit..  No garage sale?  No worries, you can get one here.  The site has great recipes that I cannot wait to try!  Home brew* ends up being cheaper than buying it, delicious, different, not to mention a great feeling of accomplishment. 

OOOhhh ...Hey here's a thought... your yield makes an awesome gift, think: custom brewed 6 pack with original labels made special for that particular person, in bottles like these. I would love to receive that as a gift!! 

Please check back for parts I (process) and II (bottles).  The fermentation will take 2 weeks, and then another week to sit in bottles before it can be consumed.

Ooooo... can't wait to design beer labels!  Almost as exciting as drinking the first sip.

*note: While in most states it is legal to brew beer/wine, there are some exceptions, please check your local laws... or don't,  your call really.  Either way happy brewing. 

Visit Mr. Beer to get yours!

Yes! YES! YES!!