Bugger Hatches, Dank IPA’s, and Leviathan

Bugger Hatch 2013

Probably the best day I’ve had on the river in a long, long time.  I couldn’t believe how reckless and aggressive the trout were.  It was the last good day before a serious snow-melt/run off.  The temps climbed to almost 50 F, and next day the region got slammed pretty good with a cold rain.  Warm enough to help push that snow though – flooded rivers, lots of chocolate milk.  I don’t know if the climb in temps, length of days, or inevitably blow-out from the snow melt is felt by the troutz…but something triggers those fish to get hungry real quick and abandon saftey and wisdom.  The Bugger Hatch is all about timing. A commitment to swinging buggers 356 days a year ensures that once or twice you hit gold.

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FYI – all of my fishing shots are taken on my Canon Powershot D10 . I bought this camera years ago just for fishing.  Waterproof, shock proof, and reliable.  Water will cling to the lense from time to time*, but it produces great images and I NEVER worry about dropping it in the river or roughing it up.  *the water blurs are sometimes a pleasant, unforeseen affect.

The Beers

Both recipes are 3 gallon BIAB and use the no-sparge method I typically employ.  To read more about BIAB brewing and this technique visit Beersmith.  Also, you can always check out the Brewing TV episode, Jake’s Got a Brand New Bag…it stars a devilishly handsome dude.

I had some hops to use up and a solid IPA recipe was what the doctor ordered.

Conclave IPA

Grist:

5.5 lbs – Rahr 2-row

1.5 lbs.- Simpsons crystal 60

.5 lbs. – Munich Malt

.5 lbs. – Caramunich Malt

Hops:

.5 oz – Warrior – 45 minutes

1 oz – Centennial – 10 minutes

1 oz – Cascade – 5 minutes

1 oz – Warrior – 5 minutes

3 oz – Columbus – 0 minutes

Yeast: Wyeast 1056 – 1 smack pack

Notes:

1.064 OG, great color – fermented at around 62 F – fermentation was vigorous, smelled wonderful.  Definitely dank and musty aroma when xferring to keg.  Sample at xfer revealed a smooth bitterness (likely to increase with carbonation.) – hops are definitely on the Warrior/Columbus side…resinous and funky, with a little pine/citrus kick from the Cascade and Centennial.  FG at 1.018, higher than expected…however the beer is still rather dry and very clean.  Nice malty backbone but not overly sweet despite the xtal malt.  Pretty damn good.

Collateral Damage IPA

Grist:

-same as above

Hops:

-a little tricky as I was using a hop blend – consisting of finishing/aroma hops

1 oz – blend – 60 minutes

3 oz – blend – 10 minutes until 0 – pinches along the way

3 oz – Columbus – 0 minutes

Yeast: Wyeast 1056 – 1 smack pack

Notes:

Fermented fast at 62 F – clean and clear, same great color as above.  Way more citrus and pine in the nose during fermentation and at xfer.  Drier than the Conclave, but the hops are really singing together on this one – resinous, but with a citrus kick.  Same great malt backbone as the Conclave, but with a more “San Diego” hop forward character vs. the “Portlandia Dank” from the Conclave.  Another awesome IPA to ring in the Spring!  Oh yeah, OG was 1.060, FG 1.010…this one has shoulders.

A Drawing: Leviathan

Finally finished this gnarly drawing of a beastly brown. Print available here.