The homebrewing and the FQF actually have nothing to do with each other, besides the fact that they were to two beer related activities I had this weekend.
Homebrewing: after my tales of
brewing and
bottling, this was the easiest (but most nerve-wracking) step of all: tasting.
 |
| From Friday night |
 |
| Bottle opened today (it's less carbonated than the other two were for whatever reason.) |
The color and the clarity (as you can see) came out beautifully.
As far as aroma and taste goes, the hops presence I was hoping for really didn't make it into the final product, so it wasn't really what I was expecting. However, I still really like it! The absence of the hop flavor gives prominence to the yeast. Still plenty of bitterness. So it's kind of more like a Belgian pale ale? I need more palates to tell me if the spiciness in the flavor is just yeast and hops intermingling, or if it fermented too warm and those are esters or off-flavors all up in there. But it's plenty drinkable. Definitely not a masterpiece, but I enjoy drinking it and I MADE IT! Me! Now, what to brew next...?
In other news, I signed up to work in an Abita beer tent at French Quarter Fest. I worked the middle shift (2-6pm) right next to the Abita music tent. For the first 2 hours I took beer orders and worked the cash register. Then I noticed we had a serious supply issue - one person pouring beers for 3 cashiers and many, MANY thirsty patrons. So I jumped behind the taps and started pouring beers like a maniac. Amber, Light, and Purple Haze (man, that Haze tap was SO FOAMY for the first hour I was pouring.) Amber, Light, Purple Haze. AMBER! LIGHT! HAZE! The dude from Crescent Crown was impressed by my beer pouring style, asked if I was a bartender. No, I said. I just drink a LOT of beer.
Got to listen to Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers and Little Freddy King - both great shows! Mostly background, though, since I was quite busy. I'd definitely do it again, but maybe in more low key location like the Mint - I almost had a panic attack trying to find my assigned tent in the very very crowded Abita stage area.
 |
| My pouring post |
 |
The view from my beer tent
(this was the end of Donald Harrison Jr.'s set, which was right before my shift.
I had no time for pictures once I started working.) |
After my shift, I enjoyed a roast beef debris poboy with truffled cole slaw from the Restaurant R'evolution tent. Came home and had another homebrew. All in all, not a bad way to spend the day in New Orleans.
Comments
Post a Comment