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It is already July, which means the 2nd Quarter of 2024 is done. We can report on the Q2 SheppyBrew Brewing Stats.
When it comes right down to it, I'm sure no one besides myself really cares, but I like to look back on these posts to see how much I've brewed and what I was planning on brewing at certain points of the year.
As I've been saying, I expect that I'll brew less beer this year than I have for the past several years, and so far it does look like I'm tracking for a lower volume than 2023.
In this quarter, I've brewed 5 batches of beer:
In this idyllic setting, surrounded by the majesty of towering peaks, she works alongside a troupe of helpful gnomes, each adding a touch of magic to the brew. The gnomes, known for their brewing prowess, carefully select the finest **Pale and Wheat malts**, blending them to perfection.
You may remember that I got a French Press for Christmas this past year.
I drink a lot of coffee, and most of it comes out of the Keurig, but I usually use the French Press when I feel like I have a few extra minutes to make coffee in a more "relaxed" manner.
To be honest, I'm not sure the French Press is actually that much more time consuming than the Keurig.
Anyway ... in the French Press post, I intended to do a few more blog posts on it. Until today, I have not really done that but ...
After Roll-a-Style 11 ... 14C. Scottish Export, I couldn't help myself ... I wanted to Roll-a-Style beer.
In case you are not familiar with the concept ... I made a list of BJCP Styles that I've never brewed, and assigned them to the numbers 1 - 20. When I want to brew, but am not sure what style to go after, I "roll" an online 20-sided die. Whatever number I roll is the style of beer I brew next.
I rolled a:
According to my most recent list, "20" corresponded to the BJCP Style 20A. American Porter.
A malty, bitter, and often somewhat hoppy dark beer with a balanced, roasted, and frequently chocolatey character.
The German Gnomes, no taller than a keg but as wise as the ancient oaks, were the master brewers' assistants. They wore tiny lederhosen, their beards braided with hops, and their hats adorned with the finest barley. Their laughter was like the tinkling of glass bottles, and their songs were hymns to the art of brewing.
Legend has it that these gnomes, with their weathered hands and mischievous grins, have been brewing their beloved ale for centuries, using age-old recipes passed down through generations. As stewards of their craft, they infuse each batch with the essence of the Highlands, channeling the spirit of their ancestors into every pint.
He called it the “Melting Stream Spring Saison,” a beer that was as refreshing as the cool, clear waters rushing down from the snow-capped peaks. The Saison had a light, golden hue like the morning sun reflecting off the melting snow, and a taste that was crisp and lively, with hints of citrus and spice.
I'm probably the only one who cares ... but I've been tracking my 2024 Strava goals every month on this blog. This year, I'm targeting 7,100 miles and 319,500 feet climbed (11 Everests).
Knowing that I'll ride more in warmer spring and summer months, I planned for less riding in the snowy winter / early spring months.
I was behind my plan at the end of January. I caught up by the end of February.
I moved ahead of my plan in March, and extended my lead quite a bit in April, logging 576 miles and 29,429 feet climbed.
A moderate-strength, malty beer with light caramel, toast, toffee, and fruit flavors. A slight roast dryness offsets the residual sweetness in the finish, with the bitterness perceived only to keep the beer from being cloying.
Pouring a radiant golden hue, this American Wheat beer captivates with a lively effervescence that dances in the glass. The aroma is an enticing symphony of wheat malt and hints of sweet tangerine zest, promising a harmonious blend of flavors to come.
I'm probably the only one who cares ... but I've been tracking my 2024 Strava goals every month on this blog. This year, I'm targeting 7,100 miles and 319,500 feet climbed (11 Everests).
Knowing that I'll ride more in warmer spring and summer months, I planned for less riding in the snowy winter / early spring months.
I was behind my plan at the end of January. I caught up by the end of February.
I moved ahead of my plan in March. I rode a little over 600 miles and climbed over 29,000 feet.
It feels like I say this a lot ...
The year is flying by. Not just this year. Every year flies by. Crazy how fast it all goes.
Anyway ... here we are in April, which means that the first quarter of 2023 is done. It's time to report on the SheppyBrew Brewing Stats for the quarter.
Remember that last year, I kept saying I would slow down brewing and end up brewing less volume than I had in 2022.
I did end up slightly down by the end of the year, but it certainly never looked like I had slowed down at all.
At the end of the first quarter last year, I had brewed 6 batches of beer and had 31 gallons.
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| Arctic Vortex Winter Saison |
SheppyBrew Home Brewery has an exciting announcement for our fellow hop heads and ale aficionados!
I hope this post finds you in high spirits, or should I say, non-alcoholic high spirits? Brace yourselves because I've got a game-changing announcement that will rock the foundations of SheppyBrew Brewery and BBQ (and maybe the entire brewing world).
Get ready for the next big thing – exclusively non-alcoholic beers!
I know what you're thinking: "Did I stumble into the Twilight Zone of Brewing?" Wrong! This is as real as a hop cone in your brew kettle.
As you raise the stein to your lips, envision the solemn Lenten season, where German monks toil with monastic devotion to birth this robust Bock Lager. Mardi Bock emerges as the triumphant celebration, a resurrection of flavors after the somber fast, akin to the joyous bells ringing in Easter morn.
Embark on a whimsical journey with our McShepardSons Irish Ale, where the enchanting collaboration between mischievous leprechauns and ingenious gnomes unfolds in every frothy drop. Nestled in the heart of the emerald hills, our brewery becomes a magical realm where folklore and flavor converge.
Legend has it that the renowned McShepardSons Irish Ale is the result of a spirited partnership between the lively leprechauns and the industrious gnomes. Under the shimmering moonlight, these mystical beings gathered at the SheppyBrew cauldron, bringing with them a trove of secret ingredients harvested from the enchanted forests and hidden meadows.
Since then, I added some items to my SheppyBrew Zazzle Store with the logo on them.
I've bought a couple of glasses, a bottle opener, and some stickers with the new Logo on them.
My Zazzle Store has never sold much other than items I've bought myself, but who knows ... maybe someday someone will want SheppyBrew Swag.
In the meantime, I like the items that I've purchased. I think the logo looks real cool on swag. I've been decorating lots of things with the stickers.
If you'd like to check out what is available ... go to
The new items are:
As you know if you read #7100MilesIn2024, this year I set my Strava mileage goal at 7,100 miles and the elevation goal at 319,500 feet (11 Everests).
I promised that I'd report on my progress.
I was behind my plan after January by 50 miles (see #7100MilesIn2024 Progress), but knew that I'd catch up.
After coming short in January, my plan was to hit 450 miles in February to bring me to 800 for the year. Actually, my February total was over 550 miles, so I made up that deficit and more.
I've also made up a deficit on my elevation goal (#11EverestsIn2024). After January, I had climbed 16,299 feet. In February, I climbed 29,429 feet, putting me at a total of 45,725 feet gained for the year. My target was to be at 36,000 feet by the end of February.
So, now I'm significantly over my target. Of course, it is still early in the year. Who knows how my body and bikes will hold up over the rest of 2024. But, so far, so good.
As you raise the chalice of Said Strumpet to your lips, envision a seductive dance of Saaz hops, each aromatic note a whispered secret from the fields of Žatec. The golden elixir cascades with a grace that could rival the most alluring of courtesans, a visual symphony that foreshadows the sensory indulgence awaiting within.
