Clarkehead Brewery

Brewing today for the first time in 2 months. I never thought my life would get so busy that I couldn’t find time for a simple brew day, but it happens. Makes me wonder what life would be like with kids.

Not having kids, it’s hard to justify why we’re into things like the Harry Potter books and movies. But we are, and that’s that. And since the new Harry Potter movie will be released later this Summer, I found it only appropriate that we brew another one in it’s honor. This seems to always be the case. New Harry Potter movie hits theaters – I brew Hairy Porter. Next year, the final movie gets released in two parts. I think we’ll be drinking a lot of this then, especially if this new recipe works out.

Let me explain.

It’s been a long time since I brewed a Porter – 2 years, I think. So long, that I’m not even sure if the old recipe I used was even palatable. I just don’t remember. I found a pound of chocolate wheat at my local homebrew store not long ago, and I bought it because a) I’d never seen it before and b) it just sounded delicious and I knew I’d find a use for it.

So as I started the brew day, planning on brewing the infamous Butt Nut Brown, I changed plans mid-stream and decided to use this Chocolate Wheat for the very first time on a beer that has been vacant for so long from the Clarkhead line-up. If it ends up failing, oh well.

The recipe went like this:

9 lbs 2-row pale malt
10 ounces 60L crystal
8 ounces chocolate wheat
4 ounces black patent
3/4 ounce East Kent Goldings (60 min)
1/4 ounce Fuggles (10 min)
1/2 ounce East Kent Goldings (5 min.)
WLP005 British Ale Yeast

It’s cooling down now. I’m going to give this thing plenty of oxygen later, then pitch. The last time I used this yeast, all hell broke loose, so I’m hoping a blow-off tube won’t be necessary this time, but I have one at the ready, just in case.

I’ll update you on the progress of this beer as we go.