Busy Little Brewer

A few weeks ago I got another carboy.  So now I can ferment more than one brew at a time.  So on the 16th I racked over the IPA to a secondary.  Then on the 17th I brewed another beer.  I chose a Steam beer, something that's supposed to be a good Spring beer.  I've had an Anchor Steam long ago, but can't say I remember if I like it.  But I figured I'd give this a shot anyway.

 There will be no gravity number this batch.  While pulling out the hydrometer from it's sleeve, one end cap popped off and it went shattering across the floor.  So I'll have to get another one of those.  Of course after all that happens the dogs decide they need to check out the broken glass mess.  Luckily no sliced paws.

Since last time, I did try the Nutcracker Ale.  I really liked how this turned out.  It's a brown ale so that already means I'm more apt to like it.  But the flavors are good, carbonation is great.  I was a little worried at the beginning when I messed up a little on brew day, but everything turned out great.  Now I need to plan the next one.

Here's the Steam Beer recipe:

6.6# Gold Liquid Malt Extract
0.75# 60L Crystal Malt
0.5# British Pale Malt
1.5oz Northern Brewer Hops
1oz Cascade Hops
1pkg Wyeast Liquid Yeast - California Lager

Brew: 4/17
OG:
Rack: 4/23
Bottle:
FG:
ABV:

IPA

I decided to mix things up and go with something that I don't traditionally like, an IPA. I'm doing this for something different and also because I do have friends that like IPA's, so they can be my taste testers. Recipe is below.

I'll also be trying the Nutcracker Ale in a little bit. It's been conditioning for 11 days now and I suspect a little more time in the bottle will do it well, but I'm a little eager and tonight is my drinking night.

6.6# Amber Liquid Malt Extract
1# Crystal Grain
0.5# Victory Grain
0.25# Munich Grain
2oz Northern Brewer Hops
1oz Fuggles Hops
1tsp Gypsum
Pinch table salt
1 pkg Wyeast Liquid Yeast - London Ale

Brew: 4/10
SG:
Rack: 4/16
FG:
Bottled: 4/23
ABV:

Nutcracker Ale

I decided that brewing on St. Patrick's Day made a lot of sense. So that's what I did today. This was my first spiced beer and it's a little heavier than maybe I should be making as it approaches spring and summer, but who cares.

I kind of did things in the wrong order when it came to putting the wort in the fermentor. So things got a little watered down and then with my attempts at fixing it, I hopefully didn't contaminate anything. All I know for now is that the OG I have for this can't be right but it is listed for posterity.

6.6# Gold Malt Extract
1# Munich Grain
1# British Crystal Grain
1/2# Chocolate Grain
1/2#Cara Pils Grain
2oz Northern Brewer Hops
1oz Fuggles Hops
1tsp Cinnamon
1/4tsp Nutmeg
1oz Sweet Orange Peel
1pkg Wyeast Liquid Yeast - British Ale

Brew: 3/17
OG: 1.050 @73degrees
Rack:
Bottle: 3/30
FG: 1.015@68 degrees
ABV: 4.8