Random Things

The SheppyBrew Beer Model and I went on a cruise. My first. Her second.

I don't really consider myself a "Cruise Guy", but the drink package and the people we were with made it lots of fun.

I ate too much. Drank too much. Didn't get enough sleep. My Garmin watch health stats said "what the hell are you doing?"

It was a ton of fun, and I'm only now feeling recovered from the trip.

 

One cool think about my Runna Half Marathon training plan is that it allowed me to tell it I was on vacation. It gave me the option to completely skip that week or too get long / easy runs in during it. I told it to keep easy runs on my plan.

I believe this was supposed to be a "de-load" week anyway, but I did run a total of over 20 miles while on vacation. I ran on the treadmill in hotels a couple times before getting on the boat. I also did a couple of runs around the track.

Even so, the first run after getting back was tough. I'm glad I did something while away.

I guess one of the nice things about running as opposed to cycling is that it takes much less planning / preparation / gear to get a quick run in than a bike ride.

So ... the cruise was fun. I'm glad we got the opportunity to go.

You may have noticed that I have not been brewing a whole lot so far this year, but this past weekend, I got my Mud Blood Baltic Porter kegged this past weekend.

The kegging gravity sample tasted exactly how I would expect a Baltic Porter to taste, not that I'm an expert on that style.

Even though the carbonation isn't quite ready, the pours from the keg on Sunday were also delicious.

It has been very dry and warm in the Colorado Front Range and mountains this year. It is going to be a tough year for fires and our water company has already told us we are going to have drought restrictions on watering this year. 

This means I don't have the excuse of weather for being behind on my Cycling Goals. I'm actually doing ok for my plan, but the plan wasn't taking into account the lack of snow in the winter.

I made a pork butt this past Sunday. I smoked it for a little more than 3 hours and then finished it off in the crock pot, which is something I do more and more as I get older.

It is nice to set the crock pot on low and not worry about it for the rest of the day.

And ... it is delicious.

While grilling I was able to sample a couple of my SheppyBrew Beers.

Hop-cember Pale Lager is sort of a weird beer. It is a very hoppy lager brewed as a tribute of Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. But, it isn't anything like that beer.

Stylistically I'd say it is closest to a West Coast Pilsner. But, since that isn't a BJCP style, my Hop-cember Pale Lager page lists it as a Pale Ale. Untappd also has it as a Pale Ale. But it isn't.

Regardless of what I call it, it is a wonderful beer, and my favorite of the beers I have on tap right now.

I think the keg is about to blow so I really need to brew some more beer.

Another lager I have on tap is "Whisper of the Tengu" Rice Lager.

This is my first rice lager, and I think it turned out great. It is nice and pale with a crisp, clean malt bill. 

The hops some through as a touch of lemon / lime with a touch of herbal flavor.

At 4.8% ABV it is a great lawn-mower / session beer. I was able to suck down quite a few while watching the Denver University Hockey team dominate in their regional bracket this weekend. 

I suspect this beer won't last long. I'll enjoy it while it is on tap. I think I might brew it again.

So ... that is the "Random Things" I have for now. 

As always keep watching the regular SheppyBrew Channels to see what is happening with my BBQ, Beer, Biking: SheppyBrew's Facebook Page; Sheppy's Twitter Feed; SheppyBrew's Instagram Page; and SheppyBrew's Website.Of course, don't forget to visit this blog often as well!