Speaking of well-traveled...

Since the last post I have been traveling nearly non-stop - four towns in seven days - Bozeman, MT, New York, NY, Bethlehem, PA, Herndon, VA and back home early this morning. But I am excited to catch up and brew my first IPA (and my third batch!).

Part of what makes me enthusiastic about this brew is I plan to add some real specialty grain from Montana! My brother Ewan and sister-in-law Meredith gave me a Wheat Montana 5 lb. bag for my birthday! Not certain about what proportions I will use yet, but I am really looking forward to the results.

I get to use my brand new PET plastic secondary fermenter for this batch too! I am really curious to see how much of a difference a secondary fermentation will make to the taste. One advantage would be to have a couple batches going at once. (hmm...) The main reasons are to clarify the beer and condition it as well. One can condition the beer in a secondary for up to a couple months I understand. Longer if cold!

Congratulations to my friends Rondal and Tuly on the birth of their first son! I may have to name a beer after him. :-)