Tuesday, April 30, 2024

KFC Thighs Again

I made dinner last Wednesday.

I was planning on cooking chicken thighs, and at some point during the day, I was looking through this blog and came across my KFC posts.


I grill / smoke chicken thighs quite often, but I don't think I'd made KFC in almost two years.

Since it had been awhile, I decided to give it a try again.

I went with a pretty simple KFC coating this time. I oiled the thighs up, put a few tablespoons of Progresso Italian Style Bread Crumbs into a plastic bag, added some random spices, and shook the thighs in the mixture.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Beef Back Ribs

If you read 2024 Melting Stream Spring Saison (Batch 354), you know that I brewed beer last Sunday.

Interestingly, completely coincidentally, the last three times I brewed Melting Stream Spring Saison, I also made Pork Spare Ribs.


This time, I mixed it up a little, making Beef Back Ribs.

This is actually the first time I've smoked Beef Back Ribs. I never see them at the grocery store or Sam's Club I usually go to.

However, when I drop my kid off at college, we quite often stop at his grocery store, and I see the beef ribs there.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

2024 Melting Stream Spring Saison (Batch 354)

Colorado Spring Time means we get snow, then it gets warm out and melts the snow.

It snows again.

It melts again.

Repeats again and again and again. This cycle is one of the reasons I love living here.

Mountain streams are full and fast rushing this time of year thanks to all the melting snow.

It being Spring also means it is time to brew my Spring time Seasonal Saison.

Sunday, I brewed ...

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

O is for Odyssey Beerwerks

It's been awhile since we posted N is for 4 Noses - Park Hill.

We've just been doing other things, and have not had an opportunity to head out to another brewery.

This past Saturday, though, the SheppyBrew Beer Model (aka my wife) decided it was about time to hit our next A to Z Brewery.

Since we did "N" last time, now it was time to find an "O" brewery.

According to the Colorado Brewery Map & List, we had a few to choose from, and the Beer Model picked out ....

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Roll-a-Style 11 ... 14C. Scottish Export

After brewing McShepardSons Irish Ale (Batch 352), I thought I'd like to do another "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.

My most recent list was on Roll-a-Style 1 ... 3A. Czech Pale Lager.

Most recently, I rolled an 11:


11 corresponds with 14C. Scottish Export.
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.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Tri-tip

If you've been follow along on this blog for awhile, you might know that I really like grilling / smoking tri-tips.

A tri-tip is one of my favorite things to make on the grill.

Unfortunately, they are usually more expensive than I like to pay and/or I don't see them at all at my local grocery store a whole lot.

A couple of weeks ago, there was a buy-one-get-one sale on tri-tips, so I picked up a couple.

I grilled one of them the next Sunday.

The other is sitting in my freezer waiting for another opportunity to grill up some beef.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Alex's Golden Paradise Tangerine Wheat

Introducing "Alex's Golden Paradise Tangerine Wheat", a refreshing American Wheat beer that takes your taste buds on a journey to sun-soaked bliss. Crafted with care and precision, this beer is a celebration of golden moments and citrus delights.

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.

Tuesday, April 09, 2024

March #7100MilesIn2024 Progress

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.


 

Thursday, April 04, 2024

2024 Q1 SheppyBrew Stats

 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.

Arctic Vortex Winter Saison

Tuesday, April 02, 2024

Easter Ham

I made ham on Easter Sunday this past weekend.

I'm pretty sure this is the best double smoked ham I've ever made.

To be honest, it blows my mind how fast Easter came and went this year. It seems like Lent was hardly anything.

By the way, I gave up coffee for Lent. Not really a religious thing. I'm pretty sure God doesn't care if I drink coffee at all.

I sort of just wanted to prove to myself that I could still do it.

But ... this blog post isn't about my lack of coffee ... It's about my Easter Ham.
 

Monday, April 01, 2024

SheppyBrew Non-Alcoholic Beers Take Center Stage!

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.

 

Friday, March 29, 2024

Mardi Bock

Behold the Mardi Bock, a reverent libation steeped in the rich traditions of German brewing and the spiritual fervor of monks. Picture a deep, mahogany elixir cradled in a vessel, a testament to the dedication of those Teutonic artisans who, like monks in meditative silence, craft this masterpiece.

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.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Alex's Golden Paradise Tangerine Wheat (Batch 353)

My wife (aka the SheppyBrew Beer Model) and I have been talking about what beer we should brew next.

If you follow along on this blog, you may have picked up that the Beer Model will "help" me brew a few batches of beer a year.

It's a fun husband/wife activity that we can share.

Generally we try to make a beer recipe that she is more likely to enjoy, and generally she picks something I've already brewed. If not, I'm the one who comes up with the recipe.

She's sort of been playing around with ChatGPT, though, and she had "Alex" (for some reason, she feels the need to give her ChatGPT a name) come up with a few Wheat Beer recipes.

Through some iterating and getting my input, she ended up with a recipe I could put into Beer Smith and onto SheppyBrew.com

Sunday, March 17, 2024

McShepardSons Irish Ale

 🍺 Introducing SheppyBrew Brewery's McShepardSons Irish Ale: A Legend in Every Sip! 🍀

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.

Friday, March 15, 2024

N is for 4 Noses - Park Hill

Well ... we're rolling along through the fifth round of the A to Z Breweries Series of Posts.

It was only about 7 months ago (August of 2023) that I posted A is for AC Golden Tank Room.

And ... we just posted M is for Monolith Brewing at the end of February.

I'm sure you can figure out what that means. It means it is time for an "N" brewery.

According to the Colorado Brewery Map & List, we have quite a few "N" breweries in the Denver area, but of course we've already used 4 of them.

Even so, we had a couple to choose from and ended up going to ...

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

New SheppyBrew Store Items

Well ... as you know if you read A.I. Generated SheppyBrew Logo, I used some A.I. tools to help me come up with a new SheppyBrew Logo.

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 

SheppyBrew Stuff

The new items are:

Monday, March 11, 2024

Arctic Vortex Winter Saison

Embark on a winter expedition with the Arctic Vortex Winter Saison 2024, a black saison that weaves a tapestry of dark enchantment. Pouring an abyssal black, this brew captivates with a promise of fruity hops and a silky black malt experience.

Aromas of dark orchards unfold as the fruity hop profile takes center stage. Blackcurrant, plum, and a touch of dried cherry create an enticing bouquet that foreshadows the depth within.

Upon the first sip, the smooth black malt reveals itself without the weight of smokiness or espresso. Instead, it offers a canvas of dark chocolate and a nuanced roasted character, providing a foundation for the saison yeast to shine.

Thursday, March 07, 2024

February #7100MilesIn2024 Progress

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.

 

Monday, March 04, 2024

2024 McShepardSons Irish Ale (Batch 352) and Chicken

I was originally planning on brewing McShepardSons Irish Ale this past weekend, but my son had an Ultimate Tournament, and I would rather watch him play when I have the opportunity.

St. Patrick's Day is coming up, and I wanted the beer to be ready to drink by the 17th. 

So ... rather than delay the brew day, I brewed it earlier than originally planned. 

February 25th.

This is the 2nd time I've brewed this beer, and is the 4th batch of beer I've brewed this year. It is the 352nd batch of beer I've brewed all time.

If you're interested in seeing the recipe ...