Author Archives: Shawn

The Trappists are a branch of the Cistercian order of Roman Catholic monks.  In addition to their vows of poverty, silence, etc, the members of each Monastery must work to support the Abbey.  This means producing a commodity to sell in the outside world.  Some Trappist Monasteries are famous for their complex, stinky, delicious cheese,ContinueContinue reading “Enkel”

Apparently, my sister has a new favorite beer.I received an email this morning from her with these simple words:  “All I’m saying is . . . My birthday is in May.”  followed by a link to a HBT thread on a Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale clone.Hint taken, and challenge accepted.I’ve never cloned a brewContinueContinue reading “Project Clone: Reverse Engineering DFH Indian Brown”

About a year ago, I began home brewing again after a six year hiatus.  In an effort to refamiliarize myself with the all grain process, and with my equipment, I brewed the same recipe three times in three weeks.  It was a Columbus IPA (this kit from MoreBeer). Since Columbus day was just around the corner, andContinueContinue reading “Santa Maria IPA”

Definitely not my typical brew, so it may be a bit out of place as the subject of my first post.  But here goes . . .It’s called Dick’s American Ale, and I brewed it with my father-in-law on his 70th birthday–his first brew day.  I wanted something a little lighter to serve to guestsContinueContinue reading “American Blonde Ale”