One of the great benefits of homebrewing is the endless number of web sites, Web TV/Radio stations, and forums, to draw inspiration and recipes, help aid you in your brewing decision.
As part of my ongoing studies in the art of homebrewing, I purchased “The Complete Joy of Homebrewing” by Charlie Papazian. Using Papazians’ recipe, I was able to attempt an old style porter from the early 1800′s known as a Tumultuous Porter. My version was based on Charlie’s Goat Scrotum recipe, which is touted as being one of the most creative, adventurous, and wonderful hoomebrews that allows you to add everything including the kitchen sink, to your particular recipe.
Ingredients used in Papazians’ version of the original recipe from hundreds of years ago were freshly grated ginger root, licorice or bruised licorice root, spruce essence from the new growth from a spruce tree, Szechuan chili peppers, juniper berries and chocolate. Despite the books suggestion of adding a few or all of the ingredients; I chose not to add the kitchen sink, but created an adaptation of the original recipe, by melding flavor of Oats, Black Patent Malt & Roasted Barley, with Chocolate, Cranberry, Ginger, and Molasses.
The dryness was achieved with a touch of Honey, and then fortified with a cranberry infused spirit. 3 weeks before starting my yeast propagation, I added 2 cups of vodka, to 1 cup of dried cranberries, and allowed the mixture to blend until I was ready to bottle. The final creation was a rich mahogany color and a creamy head that was a well balanced, slightly sweet with interesting nuances.
I plan on letting a few bottles age until March, and entering them in the 2011 Bluebonnet Brew off. This year’s event will be held at the Westin DFW North, located at W. John Carpenter Freeway, in Irving TX. For reservations call 888–627-8617 and ask for the Bluebonnet Brew-off rate, which is $94 per night. You can also make your reservations online at BLUEBONNET BREW-OFF.
Hope to see you there.
Until then!
Groov’n and Salivations
