Getting Started

When a lot of people think about getting into Home Brewing they usually think it is going to be too hard or that it's going to come easy. There's really no answer to that. However, there is ONE thing that you must possess to ensure that each of your brew comes out tasty...and that is Passion. Like anything else, if you don't have a passion for what you are doing - you probably should find a different hobby (or job for that matter). It drives you to want to be better at what you do and modivates you to work at it. To fuel that passion, you of course have to have some equipment to get you started. Instead of me listing out each item, just go over and visit homebrewing.com. They have a great checklist along with a lot of helpful info for both beginner and advanced home brewers alike. Homebrew Checklist

Over the weekend I planted some more herbs. Basil and Coriander (aka Cilantro). Although they really don't sound like something you would find in a beer, you would be suprised by the flavors and aromas they can give off when using them for beer (not necessarily together). Basil can add a bitter, spicey flavor and a clean balsam scent to your beer when added towards the end of the boil. Coriander is used in a lot of seasonal holiday ales (one of my favorite types of beer). They have a sweet, clovelike flavor and is usually used in the beginning of the boil as a flavoring herb. 

The great thing about growing herbs for your beer is you can experiment and find out what works for certain beer types and what combinations you like best. If you end up not liking a particular one, you can always use the herbs for cooking meals instead. If and when you do decide to plant some, be sure to pick the plants up at a local nursery or farmers market. Not only will you help the local economy thrive but the plants will most likely do better when purchased locally becuase they have already adapted to the climate.

Remember, when you are brewing a new batch or planting out in the garden, be sure to pour yourself one of your favorite beers. Every sip you take is a reminder of why you work so hard and do what you do. For me, it actually seems like the beer actually tastes better and makes the process a little more fun. And yes, that is a purple gardening glove that is wrapped around that Russian River Blind Pig IPA! Cheers to good beer, fresh local ingredients and Hop Rhizomes!

Next up: Planting Cascade, Centennial, Williamete and Zeus Hop Rhizomes                                                                                                    

Planting Lavender and Rosemary

So last weekend I planted some Lavender and Rosemary in our front yard. Actually, it's more like a front entry way then it is a yard. I decided to plant them here because they are aesthetically pleasing (did you expect me to say pretty?) and they give off a nice scent as you make your way to the front door. Herbs have a lot of history with beer. Lavender goes all the way back the 1600's where brewers used herbs to flavor ale before hops were discovered. Planting herbs for brewing is a great way to incorporate bittering and aroma agents to your home brew. You can also use them to flavor food as well, so it's a win, win situation! For brewing, they can be used a lot like hops. Some will be more powerful then others (like hops), so it's important to match the right herbs with the right home brew recipe to ensure you get the taste you are looking for.

When I think of breweries that are utilizing herbs in some really tasty beer, I think of Sam Caglione from Dogfish Head Brewery. He has written many books including Brewing up a Business and another one- Extreme Brewing which offers some "Extreme" home brew recipes including experimenting with herbs. Dogfish Head (based out of Delaware) has finally made it's way out to California, make sure you pick up some Palo Santo Marron one of my all time favorite beers. Don't expect to pay little for it though. Start buying beer like you do when you buy fine wine. There is a big difference between a $5 bottle of wine and a $50 bottle. Likewise with beer - buy a $5 six pack you get yourself some "corn beer" (more on that later) get yourself a 4 pack of Dogfish Head for $15 and you're in bliss.

Back to planting the herbs. Lavender and Rosemary are harder to grow from seeds, so try getting some plants from a local nursery if possible. Dig a deep enough hole, use some mulch from your compost (preferably) and place the plants in. Make sure you water the herbs as soon as you plant them so they can soak in with the new soil. For harvesting the Lavender, cut the leaves and flowers 6 inches below the flower spikes just as the blooms open. One thing to note, Lavender does not taste like it smells. It adds a complex bitterness to your beer that you'll find to be quite satisfying. . As for the Rosemary, harvesting can be done throughout the season. However, harvest no more then 20% of the total growth at one time. One you harvest, it is time to prep them for your beer! You can use a dehydrator or a paper bag to dry them out. Once dry, you can add them during your boil or use them to dry hop your beer-which can give it a heavy aroma. NOTE: Practice on the side of caution when using herbs in your brew for the first time (you can always add more next time!). You don't want all of that hard work to be ruined by some seriously bitter Lavendery? flavor.

So why Lavender and Rosemary? Well Rosemary, I have no initial plans yet, I just like it's potential. Lavender however, I have a plan for. Once it is ready, I am going to use it in a "Honey-Lemon IPA." The honey is going to come from the Temecula Valley Honey Company a local honey farmer. The Lemon's are going to come from our own Lemon tree and the Lavender will be coming from my newly planted Lavender plants. However, I'm not the first to think of this concoction, you'll find a lot of the same ingredients in Gin. I really believe with these ingredients mixed with A LOT of hops, I will have a very refreshing IPA with strong aromas, strong bitterness, tanginess from the lemons, and just enough sweetness from the honey to have a really bold, tasty IPA. I'm getting thirsty just thinking about it! Once the Lavender is ready to harvest, I will document the brewing process and show you step by step on how to do it yourself. In the meantime, raise your pint to a healthy garden and a tasty brew! Cheers-

Next up: Homebrewer's checklist