Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Second batch of all-grain beer is now clearing up/conditioning. I used Bee Cave Brewery's recipe for an IPA, and will be expecting something like only 4.5% alcohol for this batch - probably lautered the wort out a little too quickly this time! Did a taste test 3 days ago, and EWWWWW! It tastes of bananas! It's been awfully warm these days, so I'm guessing the yeasts got stressed out and started producing lots of esters. Also, this was Nottingham yeast reused from the last batch of high gravity stout, so they may have mutated somewhat. Cripes. I'll be leaving it to clear and dry hop till the end of the week, hopefully it'll improve. Thinking of doing up a Bell's 2 hearted ale clone next.
1 month down, 5 more to go.
Wenky
6:49 AM
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Friday, May 27, 2011
Almost 1 month down. 5 more to go before I get back on track. This last month had been peppered with annoying shit, which once again reminds me of the inefficiencies of the public system. I have about 10 different passwords to remember (why can't they just consolidate every damn thing?), the leave application process is ridiculously complicated, and I'm spending hours each week doing administrative odd jobs. I'm thoroughly upset, and each day I still ask myself why the hell I'm doing this. Oh dear.
On a happier note, I've switched to all-grain brewing - i.e. brewing from scratch. OK, not quite from scratch, since I don't grow and malt my own barley and grow my own hops. But now the brews start from crushed barley rather than tins of malt extract, and though this adds 2-3 hours to the brew day, it's a lot more satisfying. My first all-grain batch, an IPA, ended up being slightly infected with another yeast but thankfully it's still more than drinkable. The second batch, also an IPA, is now fermenting.
Just some notes on the oatmeal stout made in early March from extract. Something went wrong along the way, I think. It finished quite sweet - not cloyingly so, but it would have been better drier. I'll let it age a few months to see how it turns out.
Wenky
7:03 AM
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
5th day at work, and I'm already feeling drained. Yes, I'm now the bitter, disillusioned old bird - quite literally. And when you look at the call roster and see your female counterparts actually doing registrar calls already, it really slams home the fact that you're so behind everyone else. 5 years. Is it worth it?
But now I need to worry about getting past 6 months. It's awfully lonely at work, with few people that I know. I'm trying hard not to get sad.
On the bright side, YX got me a really nifty ipod dock/speaker for my birthday!!!! =) I'm so thrilled! It's the JBL On Stage, which I've always been eyeing but never could bring myself to buy. Now I can have great music in the room!
Wenky
6:39 AM
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Thursday, May 05, 2011
Just restarted my hospital rotations again yesterday. It's been quite a struggle over the last few days trying to come to terms with it. I think along the way, doubt and seduction had been seeping into my thoughts. There are 5 more long years ahead, and I'll be drawing a lower salary than I could have had, all for a lot more work. And to what end? But I shall have to remind myself that the alternative is not what I really want. I'm ok with working out there, but it's no what I am passionate about. Oh well. At least I have a back door available, should I ever decide otherwise.
Wenky
6:42 AM
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