Yup. We did it. We made a big, bold classic pint. Like a cheeseburger, a strong, West Coast DIPA never goes out of style. The huge numbers on this beer balance each other out and make a dangerously drinkable Double IPA. Bottoms up. Be careful though, this thing melts faces quickly.
8 SRM, 75 IBU, 9.7% ABV
We knew it was going to have 16 ounces of hops in it but we didn’t know how good it would come out. We split the difference between a NEIPA and Hazy Pale (what’s really the difference anyways) and came out with a fantastic, hop forward ale that goes down too quick. The Brewmaster is already pulling out the recipe card to make a second batch.
A full pound of Magnum, Citra, Mosaic, Azacca, and Nelson are layered on top of a clean pale base. Bottoms up.
4 SRM, 40 IBU, 6.8% ABV
Wow. These things take time. But also, WOW! This tastes amazing! I think the Brewmaster was secretly hoping this would be a flop so there would be no temptation to try a lager again. The results couldn’t have been better. The crisp Pils base allows the half pound of Mosaic and El Dorado to blow your palate away with tropical and stone fruit that is candy sweet. We couldn’t be happier with how our Quarantine IPL turned out.
3 SRM, 45 IBU, 6.7% ABV
Stay Safe and Cheers!
It is the way. The Ale will always beat the Lager in a race. Today we poured the first pint of Whirly Bird’s new brew: Saison de Poire. The patrons at the Pear Tree Cafe haven’t complained about it so the funky blend of Belgian Saison yeast strains mixed with the Azacca must have worked. Or maybe they aren’t the complaining type. Either way, it’s flowing from the tap and making people smile.
9 SRM, 33 IBU, 5.5% ABV
Santé!
If we could make confetti shoot out of this pint we would! Heck, if we could make it shoot out of this website we would too. A couple of weeks sleeping in a cold keg and one CO2 emergency dealt with, Whirly Bird’s Hoppy New APA is officially being poured. There has been some back and forth regarding Sabro but we couldn’t be happier. The tropical fruit and citrus notes shine on this beer and we can’t wait for the hint of caramel to come through if the beer can last long enough to age a bit.
5 SRM, 38 IBU, 5.2% ABV
Here’s to 2020!
Back and Cali and cranking out beer is a good place to be in life. Whirly Bird is now pouring pints of Beetle Juice, our New England style IPA. The piles of late add Mosaic, El Dorado, and Azacca add juicy, tropical fruit flavors to the beer. It’s a keeper but it won’t last; too many thirsty folks around here…
4 SRM, 30 IBU, 6.8% ABV
Cheers!
Doh! It’s nearly Labor Day. This summer (and beer) was never in jeopardy of becoming an Endless Summer by any stretch. Time ripped by and the tap handle on the keg didn’t move an inch. What started as a (potentially) great summer ale is now an old, dusty keg that we can drink for Oktoberfest if we run out of other stuff.
Without further ado:
6 SRM, 8 IBU, and 5.4% ABV
Alas, it’s still beer right? I’ll take two please.
Well, I can never be accused of not listing to my wife. Now if I was only half as good as she was at things…
By request, a stout was built. Oats. Honey. Turn it into liquid. Make it dark and make it yummy. Here’s to making it through the bitter Virginia winter where school closes when it dips below 30. Pathetic. Our Minnesota blood is still boiling at these temperatures. Anyways, I digress.
The beer is finished and now, with a proper label, it can be enjoyed. Cheers!
36 SRM, 59 IBU, 6.1% ABV
The keg was chilled and the tap was set (sounds better than plugged in); Novemberfest made its debut over the Thanksgiving weekend. Nobody immediately spit it out which was good. Most of the patrons at the pub are family so truly honest feedback is can be hard to come by at times. “No that dress doesn’t make you look fat…”
I think the final product had the requisite stuff in it to be called an Oktoberfest/Märzen. A pinch of moss goes a long way and the beer poured clear particularly after it chilled in the keg for a few weeks. Maybe next year this guy will show up a bit earlier. In the interim, this stuff will be used to lubricate the hearts and minds of us here at the brew house as we whip up our next batch of tasty goodness.
11 SRM, 27 IBU, 4.7% ABV
A handful of firsts. First taste of the new beer. First taste of the first Virginia beer assuming you don’t mind that the first taste of the first beer occurred after the first taste of the second beer. Whaaaaaat?
Never you mind. Overall I’m happy with my foray into this new (for me) style. A bit of funk and a bit of sour. Maybe next go we’ll shoot for even more sour. The longer this ale sat in the keg the clearer it got.
6 SRM, 27 IBU, 4.9% ABV were the final numbers that made the label.
