Edmund Fitzgerald Porter (12B) - MINI MASH Homebrew Ingredient Kit

I feel I must amends my last post. After 2 more weeks of aging (8 weeks from bottling) I got a call from a Eddie Fitz aficionado. He said "Rod, this tastes exactly like the Eddie Fitz I know". The last two weeks has really brought this brew together. SO be warned. This beer tastes REALLY green when it's young and needs time to mature.

Well, I've brew this beer two more times since my 2009 review and bot times I had the same reaction. I kept waiting for the "greenness" to go away. So I aged an aged and it didn't. I've brewed over 100 batches now and I believe its the Cascade hops at the need that through me off. If I brew this again I'll switch out the Cascade for . . something less . . .citrusy, grapefruity. I need a darker compliment to the English hops!

Brewed the mini mash per instructions and pitched Windsor yeast. The brew is excellent but for this one I'd switch to a liquid yeast option. I kept temps under control but this one finished under 65% attenuation. Upon comparison the commercial example was very similar but noticably drier and with fewer flavors from yeast. Still an excellent brew, roast flavor is spot on; passed a triangle test in 3 out of 4 testers when compared against Great Lakes original.

This is just a fantastic brew. I've brewed 30 batches of 20 beers and this is the one people say "While I like all of your beer, THIS one is the best". Very very close to Edmund. I will admit I added 2 oz of Chocolate nibs but I'm not sure it added anything as it is good as is. Highly recommended.