Retired Brews
After fulfilling their contractual obligations to satisfy the masses, this is where old brews are laid to rest. Although the bottles are empty they will live on in the stories told and in the future brews that are based off the original recipes.
Checkered Buffalo
A personal spin-off of Spotted Cow this beer is brewed with flaked barley and flaked maize in addition to the typical malts. A sweeter Kolsch yeast adds the fruity notes to put the perfect touch on a summer day. The 2011 batch was slightly higher in alcohol content so the 2012 version is a little lighter for easier drinking on a hot summer day. However being lighter in body didn't hurt the taste as it is every bit as good as the original.
Brewed: May 29, 2012
OG: 1.044
FG: 1.010
ABV: 4.5%
A personal spin-off of Spotted Cow this beer is brewed with flaked barley and flaked maize in addition to the typical malts. A sweeter Kolsch yeast adds the fruity notes to put the perfect touch on a summer day. The 2011 batch was slightly higher in alcohol content so the 2012 version is a little lighter for easier drinking on a hot summer day. However being lighter in body didn't hurt the taste as it is every bit as good as the original.
Brewed: May 29, 2012
OG: 1.044
FG: 1.010
ABV: 4.5%
Citrus Wheat
A touch of coriander, bitter orange peel and sweet orange peel work with citrus hops to spice up the base of wheat and 6-row pale malts. Quick to ferment and condition this will arrive just in time for the early summer months.
Brewed: May 5, 2012
OG: 1.052
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.5%
A touch of coriander, bitter orange peel and sweet orange peel work with citrus hops to spice up the base of wheat and 6-row pale malts. Quick to ferment and condition this will arrive just in time for the early summer months.
Brewed: May 5, 2012
OG: 1.052
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.5%
AR-53
AR-53 is an American Red that uses a strong bittering hop and some very citrus and floral aroma hops to give it a unique profile. Brewed as the first batch of 2013, but named as the 53rd batch of all time, it should be a good way to start off the Brew Year.
Brewed: January 6, 2013
OG: 1.060
FG: 1.010
ABV: 6.5%
AR-53 is an American Red that uses a strong bittering hop and some very citrus and floral aroma hops to give it a unique profile. Brewed as the first batch of 2013, but named as the 53rd batch of all time, it should be a good way to start off the Brew Year.
Brewed: January 6, 2013
OG: 1.060
FG: 1.010
ABV: 6.5%
Bullet Brown Ale
Now that the cold days are here few things are better than sitting by a fire and having a nice nutty, bready brown ale. Based on a 2010 version of a brew similar to Fat Squirrel (New Glarus Brewing) this was overdue to be reintroduced.
Brewed: November 11, 2012
OG: 1.060
FG: 1.017
ABV: 5.6%
Now that the cold days are here few things are better than sitting by a fire and having a nice nutty, bready brown ale. Based on a 2010 version of a brew similar to Fat Squirrel (New Glarus Brewing) this was overdue to be reintroduced.
Brewed: November 11, 2012
OG: 1.060
FG: 1.017
ABV: 5.6%
Aftermath APA
The only highlight on the day after the Packers were handed a playoff loss ending their season was the smell of sweet wort and citrus hops in the brew kettle. Going back to a standard recipe that has been a house favorite a new batch of APA was created at the request of The Boss. Four different malts and three varieties of hops make this a very balanced and drinkable beer.
Brewed: January 13, 2013
OG: 1.053
FG: 1.013
ABV: 5.25%
The only highlight on the day after the Packers were handed a playoff loss ending their season was the smell of sweet wort and citrus hops in the brew kettle. Going back to a standard recipe that has been a house favorite a new batch of APA was created at the request of The Boss. Four different malts and three varieties of hops make this a very balanced and drinkable beer.
Brewed: January 13, 2013
OG: 1.053
FG: 1.013
ABV: 5.25%
Sniper IPA
Inspired by "Blind Pig IPA" brewed by Russian River I wanted to try to make something similar. Using loads of floral and citrus hops late in the boil and for dry hopping this beer should explode with delicious aromas. A slightly different base malt as normal will add a little twist to the usual IPA profile. The mash temperature was quite low which gives a thinner, dryer style of beer.
Brewed: September 22, 2012
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.008
ABV: 6.3%
Inspired by "Blind Pig IPA" brewed by Russian River I wanted to try to make something similar. Using loads of floral and citrus hops late in the boil and for dry hopping this beer should explode with delicious aromas. A slightly different base malt as normal will add a little twist to the usual IPA profile. The mash temperature was quite low which gives a thinner, dryer style of beer.
Brewed: September 22, 2012
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.008
ABV: 6.3%
Ambush Amber
Last year I brewed an Amber that was a big hit during fall football games, so I decided to recreate it for 2012. Heavy biscuit flavor malts combine with floral hops to create an easy drinking Amber beer that will carry us through many games. With 10 gallons bubbling away, bottling day can't come soon enough.
Brewed: September 2, 2012
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.014
ABV: 5.5%
Last year I brewed an Amber that was a big hit during fall football games, so I decided to recreate it for 2012. Heavy biscuit flavor malts combine with floral hops to create an easy drinking Amber beer that will carry us through many games. With 10 gallons bubbling away, bottling day can't come soon enough.
Brewed: September 2, 2012
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.014
ABV: 5.5%
Playoff Push
With the NFL playoffs upon us an easy drinking beer that will please just about anyone needed to come back. Previously billed as "Title Belt" this beer is supposed to be lighter in nature and will be ready for the late season playoff games hopefully leading us to another Super Bowl.
After the Packer's were knocked out of the post-season, it's only fitting that this beer turned out a little higher in alcohol content to help "drown the sorrows" of Packer Nation. That's the beauty of homebrew though, when things don't go exactly as planned they can still turn out pretty damn well.
Brewed: December 28, 2012
OG: 1.060
FG: 1.010
ABV: 6.5%
Final Beer Drank: March 23, 2013. Just like the Packer's Super Bowl hopes, this beer bowed out early. It seemed to please just about everyone who grabbed one throughout the short time it was in the fridge. Next go around will have to be a 10-gallon batch instead of just a 5.
With the NFL playoffs upon us an easy drinking beer that will please just about anyone needed to come back. Previously billed as "Title Belt" this beer is supposed to be lighter in nature and will be ready for the late season playoff games hopefully leading us to another Super Bowl.
After the Packer's were knocked out of the post-season, it's only fitting that this beer turned out a little higher in alcohol content to help "drown the sorrows" of Packer Nation. That's the beauty of homebrew though, when things don't go exactly as planned they can still turn out pretty damn well.
Brewed: December 28, 2012
OG: 1.060
FG: 1.010
ABV: 6.5%
Final Beer Drank: March 23, 2013. Just like the Packer's Super Bowl hopes, this beer bowed out early. It seemed to please just about everyone who grabbed one throughout the short time it was in the fridge. Next go around will have to be a 10-gallon batch instead of just a 5.
Blue Sky
This was a summer beer experiment that was done at the Boss' request. Adding blueberries to the fermenter introduced some darker color and a hint of blueberry flavor and aroma. A little subtle and not the finest beer ever produced, but it's drinkable.
Brewed: March 4, 2012
OG: 1.050
FG: 1.014
ABV: 4.7%
Final Beer Drank: March 23, 2013. Blue Sky was an experiment that sucked. The beer was drinkable, but that isn't good enough. I only want to craft beer that is at a minimum called "hey that's really not too bad" so it's safe to say this one won't be replicated.
This was a summer beer experiment that was done at the Boss' request. Adding blueberries to the fermenter introduced some darker color and a hint of blueberry flavor and aroma. A little subtle and not the finest beer ever produced, but it's drinkable.
Brewed: March 4, 2012
OG: 1.050
FG: 1.014
ABV: 4.7%
Final Beer Drank: March 23, 2013. Blue Sky was an experiment that sucked. The beer was drinkable, but that isn't good enough. I only want to craft beer that is at a minimum called "hey that's really not too bad" so it's safe to say this one won't be replicated.
Dubbel Barrel
Brewed as a robust Belgian Dubbel this beer will keep you going through the long Wisconsin winters. Brewed in September 2011 this beer is only getting better as it conditions in the bottle.
Brewed: September 22, 2011
OG: 1.066
FG: 1.010
ABV: 7.3%
Final Beer Drank: January 30, 2013. The Dubbel Barrel was big and bold and aged nicely for over a year. As the flavors changed it made the beer more and more complex until finally the well ran dry.
Brewed as a robust Belgian Dubbel this beer will keep you going through the long Wisconsin winters. Brewed in September 2011 this beer is only getting better as it conditions in the bottle.
Brewed: September 22, 2011
OG: 1.066
FG: 1.010
ABV: 7.3%
Final Beer Drank: January 30, 2013. The Dubbel Barrel was big and bold and aged nicely for over a year. As the flavors changed it made the beer more and more complex until finally the well ran dry.
Century Stout
Named after it being the 100th gallon produced in 2011 this is a smooth oatmeal stout with a clean finish. Not too dry and not too thick it's a dark beer for anyone.
Brewed: November 12, 2011
OG: 1.054
FG: 1.016
ABV: 5.0%
Final Beer Drank: January 22, 2013. This was the little stout that could. It was easy to drink, worked well as a marinade for pork tenderloin, and was used in stew and chili as well. The only thing it couldn't do was live on forever.
Named after it being the 100th gallon produced in 2011 this is a smooth oatmeal stout with a clean finish. Not too dry and not too thick it's a dark beer for anyone.
Brewed: November 12, 2011
OG: 1.054
FG: 1.016
ABV: 5.0%
Final Beer Drank: January 22, 2013. This was the little stout that could. It was easy to drink, worked well as a marinade for pork tenderloin, and was used in stew and chili as well. The only thing it couldn't do was live on forever.
Olympic IPA
My reserve pipeline of homebrew IPA is rapidly diminishing so it was time to remedy that. A 10-gallon batch that used a similar grain bill as Blind Eye-P-A but some new hybrid hops should be the fix. Balance is the theme for this IPA, not going over the top with IBU's or ABV.
Brewed: July 29, 2012
OG: 1.054
FG: 1.012
ABV: 5.5%
Final Beer Drank: January 20, 2013. Congrats to Ray Lewis and the Ravens.
My reserve pipeline of homebrew IPA is rapidly diminishing so it was time to remedy that. A 10-gallon batch that used a similar grain bill as Blind Eye-P-A but some new hybrid hops should be the fix. Balance is the theme for this IPA, not going over the top with IBU's or ABV.
Brewed: July 29, 2012
OG: 1.054
FG: 1.012
ABV: 5.5%
Final Beer Drank: January 20, 2013. Congrats to Ray Lewis and the Ravens.
Heatwave ESB
The very first beer I made as "all-grain" (versus out of malt extracts) was an ESB and I wanted to get back to it. On 'Merica's birthday I set out in the heat and humidity to bring us Heatwave ESB. Medium bodied, leaning on the malty side of the spectrum this beer isn't bitter like the style leads you to believe.
The ESB was by and large "good not great" so there might need to be some modifications to the recipe if ever brewed again, however it certainly wasn't a bust.
Brewed: July 4, 2012
OG: 1.053
FG: 1.013
ABV: 5.25%
Final Beer Drank: January 1, 2013. Happy New Year!
The very first beer I made as "all-grain" (versus out of malt extracts) was an ESB and I wanted to get back to it. On 'Merica's birthday I set out in the heat and humidity to bring us Heatwave ESB. Medium bodied, leaning on the malty side of the spectrum this beer isn't bitter like the style leads you to believe.
The ESB was by and large "good not great" so there might need to be some modifications to the recipe if ever brewed again, however it certainly wasn't a bust.
Brewed: July 4, 2012
OG: 1.053
FG: 1.013
ABV: 5.25%
Final Beer Drank: January 1, 2013. Happy New Year!
Single Speed
An American Red ale with a slight citrus hop twist. Anticipated to finish out around 5%ABV this will be a delicious beer to cruise through a summer afternoon with at a nice easy pace.
Single Speed was a spin-off of Lakefront Brewery's Fixed Gear. This hoppy red ale was a huge hit and may become a seasonal staple.
Brewed: May 26, 2012
OG: 1.052
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.5%
Final Beer Drank: November 3, 2012
An American Red ale with a slight citrus hop twist. Anticipated to finish out around 5%ABV this will be a delicious beer to cruise through a summer afternoon with at a nice easy pace.
Single Speed was a spin-off of Lakefront Brewery's Fixed Gear. This hoppy red ale was a huge hit and may become a seasonal staple.
Brewed: May 26, 2012
OG: 1.052
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.5%
Final Beer Drank: November 3, 2012
Title Belt
A staple that any brewery needs is a beer that will satisfy the masses. Title Belt is a light golden ale that is crafted to please people who typically don't enjoy "good" beer.
Title Belt was popular among people who weren't into darker or heavier beers. It lasted a long time mostly due to the popularity of IPAs in the brewery, but a similar batch should be coming around soon again.
Brewed: September 23, 2011
OG: 1.044
FG: 1.012
ABV: 4.2%
Final Beer Drank: November 3, 2012
A staple that any brewery needs is a beer that will satisfy the masses. Title Belt is a light golden ale that is crafted to please people who typically don't enjoy "good" beer.
Title Belt was popular among people who weren't into darker or heavier beers. It lasted a long time mostly due to the popularity of IPAs in the brewery, but a similar batch should be coming around soon again.
Brewed: September 23, 2011
OG: 1.044
FG: 1.012
ABV: 4.2%
Final Beer Drank: November 3, 2012
Wheat Pale Ale
50% white wheat malt works with citrus Centennial hops to blend 2 great styles of summer beers. Whether you like wheat beers or IPAs this one will cover all the bases.
WPA was a killer hit. Very smooth and crisp, and deceptively clear despite the wheat malt. The beer was born inspired by 3 Flloyd's Gumball Head, but the homebrew version was slightly hoppier and higher ABV. I'll work to refine the recipe to get a truer clone, but in the meantime there will be lots of delicious trial and success.
Brewed: April 15, 2012
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.008
ABV: 6.3%
Final Beer Drank: September 17, 2012
50% white wheat malt works with citrus Centennial hops to blend 2 great styles of summer beers. Whether you like wheat beers or IPAs this one will cover all the bases.
WPA was a killer hit. Very smooth and crisp, and deceptively clear despite the wheat malt. The beer was born inspired by 3 Flloyd's Gumball Head, but the homebrew version was slightly hoppier and higher ABV. I'll work to refine the recipe to get a truer clone, but in the meantime there will be lots of delicious trial and success.
Brewed: April 15, 2012
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.008
ABV: 6.3%
Final Beer Drank: September 17, 2012
Blind Eye-P-A
Blind Eye-P-A was brought to life by shooting from the hip when the local homebrew store didn't have what I needed for a planned brew so I whipped something together and it hit a home run. The beer was good enough that the grain base was used for Olympic IPA in a 10-gallon batch to keep the masses happy for a while longer.
The name will change now that the recipe is known, but the beer will continue to be rolled out of the brewery on a regular schedule.
Brewed: April 24, 2012
OG: 1.055
FG: 1.009
ABV: 6%
Final Beer Drank: September 5, 2012
Blind Eye-P-A was brought to life by shooting from the hip when the local homebrew store didn't have what I needed for a planned brew so I whipped something together and it hit a home run. The beer was good enough that the grain base was used for Olympic IPA in a 10-gallon batch to keep the masses happy for a while longer.
The name will change now that the recipe is known, but the beer will continue to be rolled out of the brewery on a regular schedule.
Brewed: April 24, 2012
OG: 1.055
FG: 1.009
ABV: 6%
Final Beer Drank: September 5, 2012
Tip-Up Pale Ale
Tip-Up is brewed with the basic grain bill of the house recipe American Pale Ale. Aggressively hopped with American hop varieties will leave your taste buds as excited as you are running to set the hook on that far away tip-up.
This was a very easy drinking beer which was strong in hop aroma but not overpowering with bitterness. It will definitely be recreated in a similar fashion to once again bring us happiness in a bottle.
Brewed: December 10, 2011
OG: 1.050
FG: 1.011
ABV: 5.1%
Final Beer Drank: July 3, 2012
Tip-Up is brewed with the basic grain bill of the house recipe American Pale Ale. Aggressively hopped with American hop varieties will leave your taste buds as excited as you are running to set the hook on that far away tip-up.
This was a very easy drinking beer which was strong in hop aroma but not overpowering with bitterness. It will definitely be recreated in a similar fashion to once again bring us happiness in a bottle.
Brewed: December 10, 2011
OG: 1.050
FG: 1.011
ABV: 5.1%
Final Beer Drank: July 3, 2012
Duck Blood Irish Red
Brewed just in time for St. Patty's day this copper colored ale is much more delicious than the name implies. Named during a late night tasting session by the Taste Panel, its brings back legendary duck hunting stories and laughs.
Duck Blood was a personal favorite of one particular member of the tasting panel and he did his best to have the lion's share of them. He's awfully big and strong so I better make more so he doesn't get angry!
Brewed: January 29, 2012
OG: 1.053
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.6%
Final Beer Drank: July 3, 2012
Brewed just in time for St. Patty's day this copper colored ale is much more delicious than the name implies. Named during a late night tasting session by the Taste Panel, its brings back legendary duck hunting stories and laughs.
Duck Blood was a personal favorite of one particular member of the tasting panel and he did his best to have the lion's share of them. He's awfully big and strong so I better make more so he doesn't get angry!
Brewed: January 29, 2012
OG: 1.053
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.6%
Final Beer Drank: July 3, 2012
Kill Shot IIPA
Not for the thin skinned or weak hearted, this IIPA brings a ton of hops and a high ABV to the party. Too many of these and you'll be out like a teal with a 10ga.
Kill Shot was a very popular beer overall. This was the first beer made with a certain hop varietal that has become a fan favorite to be used over and over again. The name is pretty sweet too.
Brewed: February 18, 2012
OG: 1.070
FG: 1.008
ABV: 8.1%
Final Beer Drank: July 3, 2012
Not for the thin skinned or weak hearted, this IIPA brings a ton of hops and a high ABV to the party. Too many of these and you'll be out like a teal with a 10ga.
Kill Shot was a very popular beer overall. This was the first beer made with a certain hop varietal that has become a fan favorite to be used over and over again. The name is pretty sweet too.
Brewed: February 18, 2012
OG: 1.070
FG: 1.008
ABV: 8.1%
Final Beer Drank: July 3, 2012