10-19-2011, 03:12 PM
I haven't brewed beer here for a while. I'm not the most meticulous person when it comes to sterilization and the other tiny details required to brew beer. In a tropical environment it is all the more challenging. Just like all of the bugs that want to invade our gardens, brewing beer offers up the most delicious treats for vinegar causing bacteria and all of their nasty friends that cause off flavors. I've pulled off some very good batches and some others that just didn't cut it. They all got drank but sometimes I wished I had just bought a Steinlager.
That's why I have been making wine instead. The higher alcohol content is more forgiving of mistakes. 9% or higher alcohol will kill most bad bugs. Jaboticaba, lychee and ohelo berry have proven to be the winning fruits to work with.
My latest project is Okolehao, or Hawaiian Tequila. The Ti plant is related to Agave. Our first batch was very good and we are about to try another. It's pretty involved but I like the historical and cultural aspects. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okolehao
That's why I have been making wine instead. The higher alcohol content is more forgiving of mistakes. 9% or higher alcohol will kill most bad bugs. Jaboticaba, lychee and ohelo berry have proven to be the winning fruits to work with.
My latest project is Okolehao, or Hawaiian Tequila. The Ti plant is related to Agave. Our first batch was very good and we are about to try another. It's pretty involved but I like the historical and cultural aspects. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okolehao