Pre-Big Brew Day Buzz: Miriam/Marian Beer?

Mary and Jesus at home, from The Passion of the Christ (2004)

The following exchange is excerpted and edited from a (much) longer email exchange about our upcoming Big Brew Day on Saturday, May 4. This is what Catholic brewers act like when they get punchy...the highlight, of course, is the mini-homily delivered by Fr. Richards. Well done, Father!

Karl: "If we brew in May, we should also honor Mary. (May is the month for Mary.) Should we have a contest to see who can brew something that Mary would like? We could call it Miriam Beer."

Jim: "That's a good idea -- although I'm fuzzy on how to judge that contest...  :-P"

Karl: "Well, if we ask all women named Mary? (Just kidding.) Otherwise, we could just ask Father Richards to judge. (This is only a hypothetical idea -- I am NOT 100% serious. LOL)

Jim: "I'm thinking of calling the beer I just bottled Crown of Creation Irish Draught Ale for the occasion -- or brewing some Morning Star Breakfast Stout -- hail, Mary!"

Tom: "Wow, is it that good?"

Jim: "Maybe not quite, but branding counts with beer -- consider the swill the general population drinks by the barrel...  :-)"

Mike: "Private revelation only: She prefers 90 Shilling. Sorry, guys."

Fr. Richards: "I'm pretty sure Mary would like any beer you would brew for her (in moderation, of course). She is always very encouraging to her sons, you know. It is like a son (albeit under 10) picking a wilted dandelion for his mom. It’s the gesture, not the quality. But, then again, you are adult sons, so make it good!"

Tom: "Great email, Father. I laughed out loud."

Karl: "I loved the email also. It made me want to look up a beer recipe. I found one that uses rose hips (in honor of Mary), orange peel, and coriander."

Laura: "Fr. Richards, you are so completely awesome. That is all."

Michael: "Laura, who do you go to for confession?"

Laura: "Wait, I'm supposed to go to confession??? ;)"

Michael: "Sorry, Laura, I forgot who I was talking to -- never mind."

Fr. Richards: "Karl started it. It’s his fault!"

Laura: "It's always safe to blame Karl -- hahaha! Hey, dudes...'Mary' means 'bitter' -- I think she'd be a little put out if you DIDN'T make some good beer during her month! Hops. Keep your beer 'pure' of yucky stuff, and then also add a richness and depth of flavor. Mary helps to keep you pure and will add a richness and depth to your life. Just sayin'.  :)  Also...I will volunteer to be the tasting judge of the Marian Beer contest. My middle name is Maria.''

Karl: "Wow, I walk away from the computer for a little bit, now I'm to blame. I'll take credit for this since brewing a beer for Mary is a good thing."

The Son's love for his mother, from The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Homebrew VII: Irish Draught Ale

Spring has been slow in coming this year; as I write, the trees outside are being plastered white by an April snowstorm, and the cold of the basement concrete is seeping through my wool socks to the soles of my feet. Inside, however, I am warmed by my latest homebrew: Northern Brewer's Irish Draught Ale extract kit.

I had intended to brew this in time for the Feast of St. Patrick, but A) I got a late start, and B) I had given up beer for Lent. I had the right idea, though -- this is a beer for a blustery spring day, with just enough malt heft to hold its own against that last winter ale in the back of the fridge, and enough oat-n-honey smoothness to make it an easy drinker and thirst-quencher. The color is a ruddy, beer-bottle brown (depending on the light); the head pours thick and dissipates quickly. The flavor isn't like any other beer I recall -- I expected something like a Smithwick's or a creamier English pale ale, I guess, and that's not wrong, but not quite right either. The aroma is fruity, leaning almost to cider; the taste is roasted malt sweetness, but with enough hop bite to let you know that this is real, good ale.

I like it -- but more than that, I'm intrigued. Here's a beer recipe with a single ounce of Cluster hops to balance five-plus pounds of malt extract and a pound of honey. Here's a brew with a malty flavor unlike any I recall, that makes use of Maris-Otter malt, a long-time favorite of traditional English ale brewers that (I believe) only recently has become widely available to budding brewers like me. And as I drink it, I can't help but think this is a beer meant for kegging -- or maybe even nitrogen.

I'll brew this again. I joked with a friend that, in honor of the Virgin Mary, I was going to serve this at our Big Brew Day on Saturday, May 4, as Crown of Creation Irish Draught Ale. It may not be quite that immaculate, but this is a solid homebrew and a Real. Good. Ale.

BIG BREW DAY!

Saturday, May 4, is National Homebrewing Day -- the Biggest Brew Day of the Year! Join Bottomless Pint Brewers at the home of our illustrious president Butch beginning at high noon to brew, sample great beers, talk shop, and more! Bring your latest brew to share!

We'd like as many men as possible brewing -- but especially for newer brewers, we'd like to stagger the starts -- so email bottomlesspint@gmail.com to let us know if you plan to brew. Also: if you'd like to brew but don't have your own gear, let us know and we'll pull together loaner equipment for you -- all you'll need is an ingredient kit!

Additional details:

• For an address or directions, email bottomlesspint@gmail.com.
• If you'd like to bring snacks or something grillable to share, that would be great, too!
• We are starting at noon because local seminarian Paul will be ordained to the transitional deaconate at 10 a.m. Mass at the Basilica -- go there, then come celebrate!
• This is also a great time to pay your dues and/or get your membership cards -- remember: 10% off at all local and area brew suppliers!

Cheers -- hope to see you there!