May 1997, Volume 20, Issue 5

Steward's Report

by Roger St. Denis

Dark Lager was the style for April but we sort of got off to a light start. I brought the results from the PREMIUM AMERICAN LAGER 'Brew House' kit which I received the month before. I found the kit to be a high quality product which made an excellent beer product. It resulted in a light, hoppy beer reminiscent of Heineken. The other styles might be more interesting to most of us.

Ken brought his experimental Bud Light look-alike, which used Basmati Rice, Flaked Corn, and Honey. He was successful in reproducing the light namesake and his neighbors loved it.

We kicked off the dark lagers with Bruce Brazil's contribution of Beck's Dark (skunky), Negro Modelo (excellent), and Hradeckÿ Lev Black Lion (Czech, skunky). Mike Woods brought a bottle of Hecklerbraü Fest Märzen. A few of us brought Köstriker Schwarzbier followed by Hacker Pshcorr Alt Munich Dunkel, Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel and Dinkel Acker Dark, all of which were superb. Bruce brought his own Dark Lager with a Stout character; a big chocolatey, malty, sweet dark beer. All topped off with Optimator.

We ended with some of Dave Berkompas' steam beer and Harry Graham’s stout and Christmas Caramel.

The key discovery of the afternoon was that blending Harry and Bob Jones’ barleywines made a surprisingly good combination.

Many thanks to contributors.