I bet you are wondering about the title. Easter ~ Beer? I know, right? Actually all of the kids were home here for Easter except for my son's family, so we had a really nice time. My two daughter's husbands Brian and Jeff have become good friends and both share a keen interest in brewing beer. What you see above is Jeff's concoction of Watermelon beer. I know….it sounds terrible, doesn't it? I hate beer and I hate watermelon even more, but I actually like this brew, go figure!
Ken usually is wonderful about helping me get the house ready for Easter dinner, by setting the table and just helping me time things in general, but this year he was fascinated by the beer process, so he hung out with the guys. I was happy to see this! I just put the girls to work instead, especially since eventually the torch will to handed over to them in the next few years. 🙂
Brian was especially proud of his fresh hops (see the bag on the top) and of course they used the green hops pellets as well. I think the fresh looks so much better, don't you?
Brian is a real beer connoisseur and has spent years researching different brews and different recipes and really comes up with some good beer. I really loved his Vanilla, Oatmeal Stout a few years ago (and remember I hate beer). I think it had a touch of NH maple syrup in it as well….maybe that was what made me like it. Hmmm.
Here's Brian's beer that was bubbling away.
….the boys pouring their different brews into their carboys.
2 different beers….a watermelon mash and a double IPA. Brian tells me that patience is the key. Let it sit longer than you think you should and you will be rewarded with a nice full bodied beer. Sounds almost like a good wine…hmmm.
I had a great video that Jeff sent to me on my phone of the yeast activating in his beer, but I just couldn't get it this post no matter how hard I tried, but it is pretty darn cool. I wish I wasn't so technology challenged at times.
….and really, I am still knitting, truly I am. Right now I am working on the Sunnyside Cardigan made with my Woolen Rabbit Opal in the Robin's Nest colorway. We will have a new member of the family in the next month, so I am diligently knitting away. 🙂
The Woolen Rabbit 
I think Easter beer is a great idea and I’ve decided I really like fruity beers so I bet that watermelon one will be delicious. You must be so excited about that new grandbaby!
LikeLike
Smith enjoys making beer but I don’t stick around as the smell is NOT pleasant and I can’t drink the beer anyway, but he gets rave reviews when the beer’s ready. It’s good to see you post, Kim!!
LikeLike
That sounds really intriguing…watermelon and beer. hmmm
LikeLike
I really got a kick out of this post…our son, nephew and friend brewed a batch of beer on the Friday after Thanksgiving and bottled it on Christmas night! They dream of opening a microbrewery – named 3 Angry wives!
LikeLike
I learned to make beer during my ten years in Saudi Arabia. I also made a pretty good wine. Alcohol is “forbidden” in Saudi, but there’s a lot of “home brew” going on. I knew my beer was pretty good when we hosted some U.S. Navy men and they loved my beer and wanted to know where they could get it. Mine was not as adventurous as your son-in-law’s – his looks really good. Yum!
LikeLike
Looks like a perfect day to me Kim!
LikeLike
I always hated beer when I was younger, but then all anyone was drinking was Coors, Bud, and occasionally something “premium” like Michelob. I still don’t drink a lot of beer as I have some trouble with carbonated beverages, but I do love homemade beer and microbrews. And pretty much any beer that’s on tap in Germany (must be the strict standards they have on their ingredients).
LikeLike