Still no word from Fendog about how the wedding brews went. Its not like him to stay silent. He hasn’t returned my texts and I fear the worst!

I can see the headlines now…

When tasting beer, its imporant you serve it correctly to all the proper appreciation of the look, smell and taste of the beer. The first rule is simple : NEVER taste beer directly from the bottle or can it came in.

Whilst this will seem ridiculously obvious to any true beer fan or experienced homebrewer, it is a schoolboy that is far to often made. Apart from the obvious problems with sediment in a bottle-conditioned beer, it needs to be in a glass for you to fully appreciate the finer points of the beer’s appearance, aroma and taste.

The type of glass is not too umportant, as long as its clear, clean and free from detergent residue (this is important as it inhibits head formation and retention).

Head retention is one aspect to be considered when judging a beer, therefore the best way to pour your beer is tilting the glass and moving it progressiviely away from the bottle whilst pouring. This will ensure a decent head of foam which allows the beer’s aroma and other perfumes to escape, and protects the beer from possible oxidation which can deteriorate the taste. Although head size will depend on the type of beer, you should aim for somehere between 2 and 4 cm of foam.

You should also serve your beer at the correct temperature to bring out the best flavours. It is a common mistake to drink beer too cold. Indeed a common trend is towards “extra cold” versions of draught beers being available in pubs. I have known Aussies who, when in this country in winter, choose to leave beers out in the snow so they can “enjoy” them ice cold. Though possibly refreshing, this will ensure you taste nothing. But then, he was drinking Castlemaine XXXX, so perhaps this was the idea.

Michael Jackson (no, the other one) proposes a five-level scale for optimal serving temperatures:

Well, this weekend is the B&Q wedding! The big day has finally come round and I must say, Fendog is probably more nervous than the bride or groom!

He’s taken this all very seriously. Since being asked to provide beer for the sibloids’ weddings, Fendog as been brewing like a man possessed. And he’s really stepped up his game – new equipment, in depth research, new techniques…

As always, I have to admire Fendog’s balls. If it was me, I’d stick to tried and tested recipes and methods for such important occasions. But not Fendog – he went full mash with a vengeance, tried new recipes, cultivated his own yeast, tried three brews in a day, etc… And much to my disappointment, Fendog has taken it on as a solo venture. Genius or wreckless? We just don’t know that this stage.

This weekend will be the moment of truth. None of the beers he’ll be serving has been properly tried…. This could make or break us here at What Would Jesus Brew?

Bit of a nightmare with the allotment…. I lost my key and haven’t been able to get in for several weeks!! I suspect Boo Boo has thrown them away…

Anyway, managed to get a new set from the Pope and was nervous going down to survey the damage. Everything had suffered. Big time! Including the hops. Loads of things had died and the whole plot was engulfed in weeds. As is was examining stuff, some of the old boys come over to mock. “Oi Tarzan! How’s it going in the jungle!” Ha ha. Very funny.

I had set up 10ft poles for the hops thinking that would be sufficient for the first years growth as the plants got established. Certainly they got off to a slow start especially the Northern Brewer which I thought was dead for a long time! But now, all the plants had outgrown their poles and the tops of the bines were trailing off into the sky.

Unfortunately, I planted them in a stupid place at the end of the plot, and this year the willow trees have started encroaching and blocking out light. The growth of the Cobb and Target varieties has been most impressive and they have both gone beyond the poles and begun climbing up the willow branches.

There are a few flowers appearing. They are pretty small and I would have thought they should have been flowering rather earlier than this. But I don’t know what you are meant to expect in the first year and I suspect they have been set back somewhat by the fact that they don’t have great light and that I have done nothing by way of feeding or watering!
In addition, some of the leaves are going a bit brown. Fendog assures me this is normal, but I’m not convinced.

I really need to do some reading up and check out that website Fendog recommended. Next year I’m going to get more plants and do a proper job…