Out Of Key Brewing

Went to the Chicago Beer Society’s First Thursday meeting for the last night with Jon. I brought along a growler of my Bourbon Vanilla Porter and a liter of the Swine Flu Dark Mild.

I heard good feedback on both but I would say that the Porter received with great reviews. I must have had 15 people tell me that it was a great beer. Several told me that it was the best beer they had that night, commercial or otherwise. Great feedback. I knew this was a great beer (and have told many people that it probably is the best beer I have brewed) but to hear it from a more independent source really felt good. Ive got a handful of bottles that I pulled off the keg that I plan on entering into a few competitions this February.  Just really not sure what Category to enter it in.  I am leaning towards 12b Robust Porter but am not sure how the vanilla and bourbon would affect the judging.

The Dark mild is a good beer but of a totally different character. I think a couple people were disappointed when it did not exhibit the same strong flavors that the porter did. I think this is akin to saying that the chicken is awful because it tastes nothing like steak. I did have Randy Mosher try the beer and the first thing he asked me was if it was an extract beer. Not exactly off to a rousing start here. He admitted that he was not an expert at the style but from what he knew of it, he thought it was spot on. Another homebrewer thought that perhaps it was too clean. That there were not enough residual sugars remaining and that it was not fruity enough. Perhaps fermenting a touch higher and under pitching will resolve this.

All in all a great evening. It was really great to be able to meet Randy and tell him home much I really enjoyed his book Radical Brewing.  Its not every day that you have the chance to have brewing royalty try one of your beers.