New Chocolate Stout

Yesterday I brewed the Colburn's chocolate stout! Notice the lowercase "chocolate stout". It does not have a name yet. I am not usually a fan of stouts, but this one is looking really tasty. It's about 50 SRM (the color black) and has a very rich chocolate flavor from the roasted barley and wheat. I put in some wheat so it has a nice head to it. Get ready for this one! It will be ready at the end of February!

In the meantime, My Cherry Valentine is just about ready for bottling! Anyone want to join me? I'm thinking I'll do it Friday morning. After that it will need about 2 weeks in the bottle - just in time for Valentine's Day. Here are the stats:

Brew No. 13: My Cherry Valentine

brewed: January, 2011

4.5lb Light DME

0.5lb Wheat DME

2.75lb honey malt

2oz cascade hops @ 55mins

1oz cascade hops @ 15mins

IRISH MOSS for clarity

White Labs California Ale Yeast

4oz Cherry extract and 3oz clover honey added after primary fermentation

OG 1.060

FG 1.014

IBU 42

SRM 14

ABV 6%

For your information, I am planning on entering Pizza Port's Homebrewing Competition next week! I will be submitting My Cherry Valentine and maybe some of Jim Whitaker's Bittakers. We'll see how it goes! Root for me, will ya?

In other news, a video camera has been anonymously donated to Pillbox Brewery so be expecting some amazing video blogs in the future!

(choose a reaction below - come on people! you can do it...)

Brewing Tomorrow, New Order

1. I am brewing My Cherry Valentine tomorrow with Josh at 8AM. You're welcome to join! Let me know if you want to come participate or learn.

2. Today I ordered ingredients for our next batch ... keep posted. It's going to be a sweet chocolate stout.

over and out.

A Taste of RICK'S RED (guest review)

When you pour this bad boy, the strong head and the rich color draws you in.  One taste, and "Ahhhhhhh". The latest creation from up-and-coming Pillbox Brewery, Encinitas, California is a treat for all of the senses.  Strong in malt flavors, slightly bitter, slightly opaque, I can attest that 'Rick's Red' is the perfect complement to a Bellisario's Chicken Bowl (another local favorite).  Brewmeister Brendan McClenahan has scored on this one.  Strictly in terms of 'Reds' I would not say this is directly comparable to the Ragtop Red, maybe closer to the Firehouse Ale (this might be my messed up taste buds).  However, you can't go wrong with this one. Stock up!


-Rick Lieber
Guest Blogger
Pillbox Brewery Stout Member
...yes, the Rick of Rick's Red

Brew No. 13: My Cherry Valentine

Happy New Year!

Rick's Red is delicious. Jono and I just tasted it yesterday and were extremely pleased. Check out "Past Brews" to see the recipe, stats and notes! If you're a member, the beer is ready for your consumption!

With the new year comes a new beer: My Cherry Valentine, designed by Josh. I just ordered the ingredients a few minutes ago and will be brewing sometime next week, possibly on Monday. My goal is to have this ready for Valentine's Day 2011.

My Cherry Valentine will be a california honey pale ale with real cherry. It will be golden in color, medium in hops, about 6% alcohol, and laced with cherry to celebrate Valentines Day.

If you'd like to help brew this one next Monday, comment on this blog and we can set it up!

Happily,
Brendan McClenahan, Brewmaster