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Fermentation Friday: The Tale of the Warrior IPA
by Steph Weber - October 31st, 2008Categories: Fermentation Friday, brew
This month’s Fermentation Friday topic (hosted by Pfiff!) is homebrewing horror stories.
It was a dark and stormy night, many moons ago. Two young homebrewers, Steph and Tim, sat in the firelight, discussing their next recipe.
“Why don’t we do something crazy?” pondered Steph. “Like a 100+ IBU IPA using only Warrior hops!”
Tim agreed, “That’s a great idea. Let’s make it so intense that it’s hard to drink, unless you’re a true hophead.”
“Totally,” enthused Steph. “We can call it ‘Warrior IPA’ since you’ll have to be a true warrior to drink it.”
Steph and Tim set about writing their new Warrior IPA recipe. In the end, they came up with something that they were truly proud of, something unique and special. They brewed, fermented, and kegged their Warrior IPA, excitedly awaiting this highly anticipated brew all the while.
When it was time to try the beer, they were slightly nervous. What if it was too intense? What if they wasted all that time, effort, and money on something that was simply too bitter?
But this trepidation was certainly unfounded — it was delicious, coming in at a whopping 152 IBUs. Over-the-top, yes, but strangely enjoyable. Good, old fashioned clean bitterness, but much more of it than they had ever experienced before. The extreme amount of hops actually gave them a dizzying affect as Steph and Tim sampled their newest creation.
“I think we might have something here!” Steph exclaimed.
“I can’t wait to let everyone try this one out!” said Tim.
For a couple of days, Steph and Tim enjoyed their Warrior IPA. Steph even created a label for it, featuring an odd samurai picture of her brother, Ray.
One night, Tim did some rearranging in the kegerator, moving around some of the taps. This involved disconnecting the tap from the keg containing Warrior IPA. He finished his work and reconnected the tap to the Warrior keg.
Two days later, Steph and Tim decided to have some more Warrior. They went to the kegerator as usual, pint glasses in hand, ready to enjoy the beer of which they were so proud. But something was wrong.
“Why isn’t anything coming out of the tap?” Steph wondered.
“I’m not sure, let’s take a look inside,” replied Tim.
The hinges of the kegerator creaked as they opened the lid. Slowly, slowly, they peered over the edge into the deep, dark abyss of their converted chest freezer, until their eyes fell upon…
3 gallons of beer in the bottom of the fridge!!!
Steph and Tim were horrified. Steph softly spoke, “Why… why did this happen?”
It seems that when the hose was reconnected to the keg, the poppet in the ball valve was stuck slightly open, allowing their prized brew to slowly trickle out.
Gone. Warrior IPA was gone forever, never to be drank again. This memory would haunt Steph and Tim to the end of their days.
Next time you connect the taps to your kegs, remember Steph and Tim, and their long-lost Warrior IPA. Remember, and perhaps you won’t encounter the same horrors…
oooooOOOOOOooooo…
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
That is truly one of the most terrifying tales of terror of which I have ever heard! Thanks alot!! I have just brewed my first batch of IPA and, while it is certainly not as adventurous as the “Warrior IPA”, now I am going to have nightmares for weeks! The fact that it is educational is your saving grace : )