New beer going out

I just sampled my latest batch of beer, a brand new cream ale recipe that this is the first run through. I will be sending it out with the six packs that I'm sending out this weekend to Joe and Mamabear. Colleen, I need your mailing address (PM me please) so I can send you a few bottles of hooch also.

I just wanted to explain a little about this last batch. It's a cream ale, which is a very light pilsner-style ale (instead of a lager). It's not completely bright (clear) yet, so the bottles you guys get might have a little bit of chill haze. I'm normally very anal about making sure my beer has dropped completely bright (you can usually read a newspaper through it) but this batch is very young (it came out of the fermenter last week) and fresh. I'm pretty happy with the results although I'll be tweaking it a bit. When you guys get it, be aware that it's the second strongest of the beers you'll be getting (the IPA is the highest at 7%, this one came in just a hair shy of that). It *will* fool you because it tastes very light and it's a pale straw gold. Don't let it sneak up on you :)

I'd also like to send a couple of bottles to all the folks who contributed to my wedding razor fund (which I'm still shaking my head over) so if you folks would send me your home addresses via PM or via email at gary dot foster at gmail dot com I'd like to send you a bottle or two over the next couple of weeks as I turn out a few more batches.

PLEASE give me feedback on the cream ale when you guys get it. I need to know if it's bad or good, what you like or don't like about it since it's a brand new recipe for me and I need to know how it sits with people. It is definitely more a beer slanted towards "joe sixpack" beer drinkers who aren't beer snobs, it's more of a light bodied beer than the normal stuff I brew so I need other viewpoints. It's about the polar opposite of the rye IPA that I'll also be including, which is more of a "kick you in the teeth" beer :)

Thanks all for being patient!

-- Gary F.

That cream ale sounds delicious.

Also, since you are a beer expert, I was just wondering if you have heard of the New Glarus Brewing company. Their beers sell in stores all around here, and I noticed in another thread that you recommended regional beers. I was thinking about trying some of this stuff out, but there are so many choices. So basically I am wondering what type of beer would you recommend to a new beer drinker, possibly to develop a full appreciation for good beer. My friend recommends the spotted cow, but I thought I'd ask someone who knows. By the way, if you are unfamiliar with New Glarus beers, which you probably are, They have a site here.

And best wishes to you on your wedding day.

Actually, I am quite familiar with New Glarus and they have *EXCELLENT* beers. I highly recommend them. Their Fat Squirrel is superb. I'm normally not a big fan of hazelnut but it's well used in this beer.

They make a raspberry ale that's pretty good too if you're into fruit beers.

-- Gary F.

Much as I appreciate the offer of a beer (and it sounds tasty, too), I'm in the UK so I'd hate to see the shipping costs of putting a bottle in the mail. I'll just have to content myself with something from my fridge. Your cream ale certainly intrigues me, though - are there any commercially available beers which might taste similar?

Malcolm

Thanks so much for letting me know Gary! I have been looking forward to this and now I can't wait!! Thank you!! :)

I buy the New Glarus Beer when I go up to Portage at the grocery store. I have been really enjoying the Fat Squirrel and the Spotted Cow, but now I am going to have to watch for the Rasberry also! Thanks for the heads up!!

Mama Bear

Gary,

Instead of sending me some samples of your beer, I was wondering if you could send it to my dad instead? As I mentioned he brews his own and is qualified as a judge so he takes it all pretty seriously too, and Im sure it would just absolutely make him smile ear to ear just to try someone elses homebrew since he doesnt know many people that do it.

I would really appreciate if you wouldnt mind substituting him for me.


Also,

Its a really nice gesture, and I hope you dont feel obligated to "pay" us back, our wedding gift was a gift with no need for Recompensement.

Gary,

Do you sell or offer any of your brews at any local brewpubs in San Jose? I get up there every other month or so on business and it would be nice to try some homebrews in the local area. I'm usually in the Mountain View area and sometimes Sunnyvale.

Ed

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EdinLA44

Gary,

Do you sell or offer any of your brews at any local brewpubs in San Jose? I get up there every other month or so on business and it would be nice to try some homebrews in the local area. I'm usually in the Mountain View area and sometimes Sunnyvale.

Ed

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My scottish 70 shilling heavy is on tap at EJ Phair's in Concord, which is about 50 miles north of San Jose. Might be too far for a trip, but hey, if you make the trip I can meet you there or we can just see whatever *I* have on tap at my house :) The one at EJ's was brewed by Morgan and I (well, he did most of the work considering it's his brewhouse, I ran around and looked busy).

If you do make it to EJ's ask for the "Off Kilter". I'm not sure how much Morgan has left in the bright tanks or when they'll run out of this run, but I think he's planning on putting it into regular rotation.

-- Gary F.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLStorm

Gary,

Instead of sending me some samples of your beer, I was wondering if you could send it to my dad instead? As I mentioned he brews his own and is qualified as a judge so he takes it all pretty seriously too, and Im sure it would just absolutely make him smile ear to ear just to try someone elses homebrew since he doesnt know many people that do it.

I would really appreciate if you wouldnt mind substituting him for me.


Also,

Its a really nice gesture, and I hope you dont feel obligated to "pay" us back, our wedding gift was a gift with no need for Recompensement.

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No worries, I don't feel *obligated* but I do feel *honored* and this is the least I can do. PM me his address and I'll send him a couple bottles. Any idea what styles he prefers?

-- Gary F.