I haven't brewed since the end of March, when I brewed an English IPA for my graduation party. It is the same grain bill as Evil Genius II, which we brewed almost 2 years ago and was awesome. I toned down the bittering hops from 1.5 oz. of Challenger to an ounce, put in an ounce of fuggles for 15 minutes, an oz. of Saaz for 3 minutes at the end of the boil, and dry hopped with an oz. of Amarillo. I used the White Labs London yeast. The Amarillo gives a little American aroma to it but the yeast, fuggles, and lower bitterness definitely make it taste pretty English. Its 7.0% ABV (which was a little too high to serve at a graduation party it turns out). But the beer is delicious. I have 4 left that I didn't give away and they're burning a hole in my closet floor. I think it is a great beer to introduce people to some bitterness. Its right at 45 IBUs, which when balanced against the big bill of Marris Otter and some dextrin malt is not too bitter for an amateur, which is what I was going for.
I also have a liter of mead fermenting in my closet. Only a liter because I just wanted to try making a mead and didn't want to move a 5 gallon carboy to North Carolina in 2 weeks. I have a few Gary Cold-one's (Stout) and Slumbeer Millionales (IPA) left to drink, but I'm waiting on those for something special.
People gave me a lot of good beer for graduation and I can't wait to start trying it.
After we move and get settled in I'd like to try brewing a Saison or a Flemish Red. These have quickly become two of my favorite style beers.
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