Java Stout
Ahh. My tenth batch of beer (I count the two runs of cider, spiced and non-spiced, as one) is in the bottles and aging / carbonating. It is a Java Stout, made with a recipe very close to my Vanilla Stout, except with 16oz of almost-espresso made from Zingerman’s In-The-House Blend (I think it is called — it’s not available for mail order) in an Aerobie AeroPress. Using the AeroPress I was able to get clear, very nice tasting coffee with almost no bitterness, which seems to have gone well with the beer.
Tasting it tonight it seems quite good, so hopefully it’ll be just as good (or better) after carbonating.
I think for one of my next batches I want to try using the same stout recipe again, but this time with vanilla, coffee, and bourbon-soaked oak chips. And maybe something else… I’m not sure what, though… Maybe some cocoa nibs (if I can find them) or something. Something which will make for an excellent, multi-dimensional coffee. Oh, and the next batch will hopefully be around 10% ABV. This one should be right around 9%, I think…
I look forward to tasting this new batch at some point.
Of course. :) You are more than welcome. :D
Man, that sounds like some tasty beverages you’re conjuring up over there. Also, I’m intrigued by that AeroPress. I’ve seen it online before, but thought it might be too gimmicky to be true.
Also, sometime this summer, I believe I’ll need to pick some brains about home coffee roasting.
The AeroPress is actually quite nice… It makes some amazing coffee in just a few minutes. Not bad for cleanup, either.
I’ve also been using a Bialetti Moka Express ($20 at Bed Bath and Beyond) and it also makes a really nice coffee, but in a somewhat different style.
And, sure… Roasting your own coffee is great. Just don’t do it indoors. ;)