I bottled my first lager today. Pre-carbonation it tastes better than I feared. It’s quite hoppy (Saaz hops, for aroma) and I am not a hophead, but it’s much smoother than I anticipated. I’m pretty new to homebrewing. This is just my third batch, but it’s my first original recipe. I was going for a Czech pilsner type of thing but I wound up with a pilsner that too strongly resembles an India Pale Ale (think Hop Devil from Victory Brewing Company). Things could be a lot worse. Next time I need to keep the secondary fermentation lower, I think, if I want a more lagerish taste.
Am I weird to feel vaguely survivalist about brewing my own beer? What’s next, venison in the freezer that’s hooked up to a generator?
Also, I want to thank the nearly thirty people that made donations this month. You really make a difference. Do you know how much hops costs these days? But, seriously, thank you. I mean it.