I love making, drinking, talking and imagining cocktails but my interests in the world of alcohol move into the realm of beer and wine quiet often. I just got done picking this year’s first batch of Cascade hops and plan to clear the vine in the coming weeks. In the works will be a hops tincture for sure but the main focus is a batch of homemade I.P.A. If you have not made beer at home before, now maybe the perfect time because hops are in season and are readily available along with everything else you need being fairly cheap and easy to get at any beer and wine supply shop. There are a number of resources online to get you started as well as countless books and magazines devoted to the craft. I’m starting this first batch of hops as a tincture then I’ll move on to beer, stay tuned.
My hops tincture will consist of two mason jars and aged about three days or to taste.
Hops tincture #1
1 cup lightly packed hops
11/2 cup gin
Hops tincture #2
1 cup lightly packed hops
11/2 cup everclear
As far as the beer goes, who knows, I’ll post when I make the batch. Hopefully it turns out better then my buddy’s Dave’s Ass Ale?
By: Mark Sexauer
Filed under: Infusions, Techniques
Crossing fingers that our hops will yield this much of a haul for next year. First year’s growth was tall, but nary a cone!