Homebrew Competition

For a while now I have felt that my strawberry Hefeweizen was pretty damn good. In fact, I feel like it's probably the best beer that I make. It's better than my California Common (or Both Coasts Common if I want to throw in the "official name."), and it's certainly better than the rest of my more experimental beers. However, I get tired of it after too long, and am ready for something with a bit more of a hop bite or malt backbone as time goes on. Add in that it's my most expensive beer to make (thanks to 10 pounds of strawberries) and i tend to make it about once a summer.

Don't get me wrong - I like this beer enough and am confident enough that I decided to enter it into a homebrew competition. This particular comp was the first of its kind at Gordon's Wine and Liquor in Waltham, and it went off pretty well.  There were 26 official entries, with a few extra thrown in at the last minute (I think 30 in total), and it took place in their rather classy "Culinary Center" located in the back of the store.

I had the "honor" of going first, as the staff poured my beer first to the three judges (a mixture of industry professionals, including one each from breweries Harpoon and Clown Shoes, and a third from a distributor that I cannot recall) and then to the rest of the crowd (Between 30 and 40 people). It seemed to go over well, and the judges suggested three areas for improvement - a creamier body, and a little more hop bitterness. The third judge (Ray, the distributor) mentioned that the brewer (me) must love strawberry-banana smoothies (exactly how I describe the beer to friends), because that's what he tasted.

As to those comments, I respect the opinions, but I also understand that they were coming from a place of personal preference. After the competition, all of the judges were complimentary of the beer and didn't seem shocked when it won second place overall (oh yeah, I won second place. I'll take it!). So with all due respect, I think I'll keep the recipe the way it is now.

After my beer, the competition went well and was a ton of fun. Some highlights included the winner (a double IPA with only summit hops), and a dry stout that wowed the judges, myself, and everyone sitting next to me (somehow this didn't place in the top three). The event also featured an incredible Tripel, and a couple of tasty Imperial Stouts as well that all could have justifiably beaten my beer.

But not all was honky dory - as one of the late entrants had a few surprises in for us. The brewer - clad in bike shorts, a tight t-shirt, and green plastic eyeglasses (to be fair he did ride his bike there) - introduced his beer by saying "If you really like tart cherries, then you'll like this beer. If you don't, then you're wrong." It was a tongue-in-cheek comment to be sure, but at the same time it points to the lunacy of the situation to unfold. The beer looked fine, even had a nice oud bruin brown color to it. However, as soon as I put my nose to it I had to take a step back. I asked the brewer what style it was, and he answered: "Whatever style uses 12 different strains of yeast." OK. That explained a lot actually.

The damn thing smelled like my kitchen, the part close to the cat box, right after my cat has a big meal. It tasted alright, with a funky and well-balanced sweetness to counteract the sour, but damn it smelled like cat-shit.

Then, the same wacky brewer had a beer called "sour time." Along the same lines of the first, this was a wild wild wild brew, and this one was beyond redeemable. Not only did it smell and taste awful (Bleach and metal cleaner come to mind), but it looked hideous with a slightly yellow head on top of a sickly tinted amber liquid. This was the last beer of the competition, and three hours later I can still taste it.

So overall, it was a great experience, and as a reward for second prize I won a pound of hops. However, considering I had to essentially drink toilet cleaner at the end of the night, I'm not sure it was worth it.

For those interested, I've posted the recipe below. If anybody has any ideas what hops I should get with my prize, let me know.

1.00 lb	Rice Hulls (0.0 SRM)	Adjunct	9.52 %
5.00 lb	Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM)	Grain	47.62 %
4.50 lb	Wheat Malt, Ger (2.0 SRM)	Grain	42.86 %
1.00 oz	Hallertauer [4.80 %] (60 min)	Hops	17.6 IBU
1 Pkgs	Weihenstephan Weizen (Wyeast Labs #3068)	Yeast-Wheat

10 lb strawberries - secondary fermentation - 7 days

NBA Finals Preview

I have managed to continue my trend of sporadic posting. I have been far too busy with graduation and graduation parties to take the time to ruminate about my two favorite subjects, but I'm back today to discuss the NBA Finals and the rematch of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

I'm not going to go into detail about the rivalry, mostly because I'm too young to remember the 80's and Bob Ryan does a much better job of it than I could ever do (If all of the popup ads generated by Boston.com aren't a sign of the desperation of newspapers these days then I don't know what is). So let's already assume that this series will be great even if all it does is add another chapter to an incredible story. Instead, I want to focus on some of the key matchups (all of them) that will play a role in this series.

Pau Gasol vs. Kevin Garnett
I'm not the first writer to say this, and for good reason. If Gasol can have his way with Garnett and his limpy knees, then the Lakers should have a marked advantage in this series. However, if Garnett is able to fluster the seven-foot Spaniard, then the Celtics have the advantage down low. Any team that can get an advantage in the post against the Lakers has already accomplished a major task. For this reason, this matchup becomes the most important. It will also have ramifications on the next matchup as well.

Andrew Bynum vs. Kendrick Perkins
The Lakers were without their starting center in 2008 when Boston humiliated them in a six-game romp that featured one incredible comeback and one embarrassing blowout. If Bynum is to prove that he would have been a difference-maker in the '08 series, then he must find ways to score against one of the League's premier defensive centers. Ten points and 10 boards for either of these players will be a major accomplishment, as they attempt to neutralize the other's offensive production.

For both big men, the key will most likely be who can stay out of foul trouble. Both are prone to riding the bench with too many fouls early in the game, and that could spell problems for either team. Essentially, the longer Bynum stays in the game, the longer Garnett has to guard Gasol. How much punishment will KG be able to take at his age and on his knees from Pau? Meanwhile, if Bynum is out of the game, the Celtics will be able to punish Garnett with a series of defenders that include the tenacious Perkins, Garnett, and the reanimated corpse of Rasheed Wallace.

Kobe Bryant vs. Every Celtic
Ask Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, or Vince Carter (ask nicely if you talk to Vince, he's sensitive) - they will tell you how tricky it can be to attack the basket against the Celtics. Perimeter players are rarely afforded the opportunity to go one-on-one, instead they often face double or triple teams as soon as they attempt to dribble-drive into the paint. (For a better description of the Celtics' defense, check out this post on the worldwide leader - Los Angeles) Can you think of a more ideal situation for the one player who loves to go one-on-five? If Kobe continues to sink ridiculous shots like he did against Phoenix, then the Celtics will be in trouble. However, if Boston can force Kobe into jacking up 30 or so shots to get 25-or-so points, then that's good news for the Green.

Rajon Rondo vs. Kobe Bryant
Meanwhile, expect Kobe to play rover defense off of Rondo. Rondo may have taken about 10,000 steps forward in his abilities, but he still can't knock down the three-pointer. Expect Phil Jackson to come out with Kobe on Rondo, and expect Kobe to play the passing lanes rather than respect Rondo as a shooter. If the Celtics point-star is able to punish Bryant and the Lakers with his quick drives to the basket or some timely shooting, then the Celtics have an edge here. However, Rondo still struggles from the free throw line and the Lakers won't be shy to knock him on his ass and send him to the line for two every time he comes into the paint (at least this is what they should do). How much punishment and embarrassment at the free-throw line will Rondo take before he settles into a slightly more controlled and passive role?

Ron Artest vs. Paul Pierce
Like Bynum's presence, Ron Ron's face is new to this heated rivalry that was first reignited in 2008. No Laker fan will ever forget Paul Pierce and the Wheelchair game . Ron Artest was born to defend sluggish scorers like Paul Pierce, who could easily become frustrated by the Queensbridge-repping forward's grab-happy hands and dedication to his craft.

However, the real key to this matchup will be what Pierce is able to do against Artest. Although, Artest is a streaky shooter at best, he is still a capable offensive player. Completely forgetting about him on the perimeter is an easy way to give up a quick 15 points. If Artest can make Pierce work on both ends of the floor, then he has earned his role on the squad and the comparisons to Trevor Ariza can finally rest. However, if Pierce is able to elevate his game in the face of a tough competitor like Artest, then the Celtics will have a distinct leg up. Pierce, like all great scorers, is an underrated playmaker, and when he is able to get his shot off, his teammates benefit from the attention he draws from the defense. A good game from pierce and any other Celtic could put the Lakers in danger.

Ray Allen vs. Derek Fisher
I didn't mention Ray when talking about guarding Kobe because he will have tons of help, and won't be guarding him on an island. However, the same won't be true of Fisher, who will have to chase Allen around screens and battle with the taller guard in the post. Everything about this matchup screams advantage for the Celtics, but Ray Allen has to be the driving force. Taking Fisher onto the block may be a bad idea, as he is incredibly tough and has a strong body. Boston's best bet is to wear down LA's second-best clutch shooter by making him chase the league's premier shooter coming off the curl. LA's best chance at gaining any advantage from this advantage will be if Fisher is able to create turnovers by selling some moving-screens on Boston's big men.

Lamar Odom vs. Rasheed Wallace (or bench vs. bench)
Neither team has had consistent bench production over the course of the regular season and playoffs, but Boston seems to have a slight edge here with bigs like Wallace and Glen Davis to body up the Lakers' massive front line. However, "Kobe-stopper" James Posey is missing from this roster, as is Stephon Marbury and his head tattoo (actually, that's a good thing for Boston). The bench may be the most pivotal matchup of all in this series, especially if Perkins decides to blow up at a referee and earn himself a one-game suspension from his seventh playoff foul.

Prediction
I've got to go with the Lakers in seven, but mainly because I'm a Laker's fan and that's how I want it to end up. Both teams are so evenly matched, that a close call, a lucky bounce, an injury, or a suspension could completely turn the series. With homecourt advantage and the game's best player, the Lakers have a slight advantage, but only slight.