Blinding us with Science...Drunk Science.

The bambino was back out of the closet and after a perfect bit of cold conditioning, it was ready for a second taste.  оченъ хорошо!  So yummy!  Success, we revelled in it.  The pride was practically oozing from our varied and numerous pores.

That's when Capt FB busted out the first sample of our Oatmeal Stout for a taste.  We passed the sample round and each took a whif and a sip.  Can pride ooze?  Well it can now, cause we were dripping in it.  Someone grab my mop.  The taste was marvelous.  Oaty, dark, smooth and delicious.  This was looking promising.

Pizza was again shared and we started in on a few stronger drinks.  We tossed together a few of our signature Sunny Whippy Nipples (recipe below) and got to work doodling up some labels for our beers.  With Capt. FB at the pen we got creative.  Our results will be spectacular.  Then we realized something.  The pens we'd been using feature "erasability" in the form of thermo-sensitive ink that "disappears" when heated by the friction of rubbing the pen cap against it.  So we got to thinking....

Someone call Bill Nye or the Mythbusters cause Science shit just got real!

First we experiment by popping a piece of paper that we'd scribbled on into the microwave, enthusiastic when it came out blank in parts.  Then we busted out the lighter and held the flame in front of our writing and cheered like Handi-Capable cheerleaders when the writing magically disappeared.

That's when things got serious.  We busted open one of the pens and emptied the content onto the butt of a soda can and held the lighter near, on bated breath, waiting for the ink to disappear.  At first nothing...then something...then...Oh my god!! It was working, we shouted!!  The ink was turning white. We bathed in the post scientific success-sheen but the gears in our heads were still grinding...

Does the ink return to it's original color when chilled?  Into the freezer the can went and only moments later Capt. FB retrieved the, once again, red ink coated can.

That's when I picked up the package of unused pens and read the disclaimer that said heating the ink would cause it to turn white but chilling it would restore the color.  Go Science!!  Boo Reading!! The Scientific Method lives on!

Sunny Whippy Nipples

• 1/2oz Whipped Cream flavored Vodka
• 1/2oz "Smooth" Sunny Delight (yes it has to be the "Smooth" variety)
• Pour Vodka into shot glass, top with Sunny D and enjoy!  Tastes just like a DreamSicle Ice Cream Pop

Let it snow

It all began as a need to find a suitable winter hobby. I know, I live in Utah, why wouldn't I just strap on a pair of skis or a snowboard and get out there and enjoy the "greatest snow on earth"? It's not that I haven't tried, skiing is alright, and I quite enjoyed snowmobiling, but I have found I would much rather enjoy the beautiful winter scenery from inside, next to a warm fire if possible.

As I researched the home brewing process trying to decide if it would fulfill all of my wildest winter hobby desires, I became more and more excited at the potential enjoyment that could be had. Home brewing can be something completely unique to everyone involved and can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. At its most basic, it's just the process of combining water, barley, hops, and yeast. Should you find you are getting bored with that, a wide variety of complexities can be added in at any time...ingredient combinations are almost limitless and math, science, cooking, gardening, and research skills can all come into play in varying amounts. One of the greatest perks for me is that the entire process from deciding what to mix up and pour into the fermenter, to enjoying the finished product of your adventure can be made better by sharing it with good friends.

Will we be content with just trying a variety of different recipes or will we spend the time to develop one that is uniquely our own? Will we enter tasting competitions, or will we just do it all for fun? Who knows how long the excitement will last, and I guess there is only one way to find out...so let's see what we can brew!

Well Said Miss Sassy Pants.....

The baby was put back where it came from because, honestly, who doesn't take the chance to put their baby back in the "oven" for a week or two and hope that it'll be better looking and tasting when it emerges again. I see nothing wrong with that analogy.

Yes the fire is burning within us, dear readers, and the only thing that can keep it from consuming us is BEER! Home brewed and heavenly beer. I do find it odd, though, that the same beer quenching our thirst acts as an accelerant for the flames in our... bosoms? Can I say bosoms? Breasts? I don't know.

Anyway, the point is that a whole new world has opened up to us. You know those times in your life when you discover something new that you were sort of aware of but never really thought about? Suddenly there are possibilities everywhere! I love those moments. Chasing a wild possibility and taking it down before stuffing it and mounting it in your living room among a faux possibility habitat is really an experience. Quite pleasurable.

So begins our journey of hunting possibilities to adorn our living rooms. We currently have a Pale Ale and an Oatmeal Stout in the works, and everything we need to capture two more prizes waiting in our kitchens. I hope you'll all enjoy reading about our adventures.... Misadventures? Boobies? I still don't know.

Bouquet of Success with Notes of Epic Win.

It started with Mr. Beer.  Our relationship was fast and passionate.  Our relationship was also a bit foggy at times.

We came together at Christmas and not but a few weeks later we were expecting.  He volunteered to carry the child and spent a few warm, dark weeks in my closet.

And then finally, the birthday came.  We celebrated with pizza before the unveiling.

Then Ace brought the infant out of the sink were it had been in a salted ice bath for speedy chilling.

We cuddled it.  We cooed and spoke in baby talk.  And then?  We ripped its head off and poured it into glasses.

At first sip we were over the moon.  Smooth, lightly carbonated, sweet.  Too sweet...not enough carbonation.  So we closed it up, put it back in the box and stuffed it back in the closet.  We'll see it next week, in hopes that another week will mellow it out.

Capt. Foggybottom is our first beer, a very basic India Pale Ale brewed in the Mr. Beer basic kit.  It has instilled in us a burning passion for home brewing.  Cheers to our future liquid successes!