Beer Haiku Daily

Into the kettle
I throw a fistful of spruce
And hope for the best

Photos and haiku by Captain Hops.

References: Yesterday, I attempted to make my first spruce ale. I have been waiting for the opportunity to recreate a vague memory I have of an ale I tasted at a forgotten brew pub in Oregon. That ale may or may not have actually had spruce in it, but I remember this tender, citrusy, piney essence, it wasn’t even really a flavor, just a barely tangible sense. It was amazing whether it was real or not. Anyway, now that I am brewing, I decided to use some of the fresh spruce buds just sprouting on the trees on my property. I created an amber ale with a touch of cascade hops, added a little wild flower honey and threw in some spruce buds at 60 minutes and 5 minutes. I am fermenting with California Ale Yeast and will let you know in a month how it turns out.

Thing of the day: Radical Brewing: Recipes, Tales and World-Altering Meditations in a Glass

Bottled an amber
Brewed an IPA. And did…
A lot of cleaning.

Written by Captain Hops.

Thing of the day: Brewing Classic Styles: 80 Winning Recipes Anyone Can Brew

having failed to climb
Schiehallion the mountain -
drink the ale instead.

Written by Crafty Green Poet.

References: The Mountain, The Ale

Thing of the day: History of Scotland

Hobbies fill my time
Ales and lagers fill my glass
Homebrewing does both

Written by Bryan Hay.

Thing of the Day: Designing Great Beers: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles

Playful capers kiss
Delicate salmon fillets
Sara smiles on

Written by Captain Hops.

References: My brother came by yesterday with a nice looking salmon fillet and a bottle of Sara Buckwheat Ale he picked up from the Wine Underground. The salmon was perfectly grilled and the deep brown Sara Buckwheat Ale proved a deserving match. At the end of the evening, I beat him in chess for the first time in 35 years. Twice.
Thing of the Day: Salmon: A Cookbook

an in your face tart
so unapologetic
yet so refreshing

Written by Captain Hops

References: Rodenbach Grand Cru
Thing of the Day: Running Press Pocket Guide to Beer, Seventh Edition: The Connoisseur’s Companion to More than 2,000 Beers of the World

He kept a sharp eye
Even while relaxing
With a Summer ale

Photo and haiku by Captain Hops

References: I took this picture in my backyard today.
Thing of the Day: Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science

The moon peeking in
He opened a nice Belgian
And then he proposed

Written by Captain Hops.

References: Dedicated to a buddy that went and got himself engaged this weekend.
Thing of the Day: Will You Marry Me?: Popping the Question With Romance and Style

wickedly dark taste -
is this a new chocolate
or Old Engine Oil?

Written by Crafty Green Poet.

References: Old Engine Oil is a dark chocolatey beer brewed by Harviestoun Brewery, Alva, Scotland.
Thing of the Day: The Legendary Model-T Ford: The Ultimate History of America’s First Great Automobile

with floral highlights
and the strength to save my soul
Uber Abbey Ale

Written by Captain Hops.

References: Another successful brew from the Heavy Seas line by Clipper City Brewing.
Thing of the Day: The World of Ships

Winter Storm warning
Prepare to be blown over
This is a big one

Written by Captain Hops.

References: I just tried a bottle of the new Winter Storm “Category 5″ Ale from the Heavy Seas brand of Clipper City Brewing. This is really good stuff. Get it while it lasts.
Thing of the Day: Baltimore Ravens Beer Stein

Behind the pink door
Others drink wine while ghost sings
I drink Manny’s ale

Written by Captain Hops.

Referrences: The Pink Door, Manny’s Pale Ale brewed at the Georgetown Brewing Company