This was an insane amount of fun to do and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. However, the actual Rocktoberfest in liquid form was less than stellar. I think it needs to age a little more and hopefully the it will carbonate more before the Rock Band party on Feb. 24.

Next up is the Irish Stout. I’m thinking something Star Wars related.

Now she’s back. She’s changed quite a bit in two years, but there’s still a spirit of discord that she brings with her. Normally small things are amplified and communication is difficult despite our best efforts.

I feel like I’m in prison – I just want to do my time. There’s nothing that can be done at this point other than just letting the time pass. You want to ask me how I’m doing? Sure, fine. Can you help me get out of this situation? No? Sorry, I’m just going to wait until this is over.

I wish I had some better tools to work with but I really only know how to turtle and let the timer run out on this. What makes it worse is that Alice and I are under no compulsion to let me sister stay. no one has tried guilting us into keeping her, but since no one else has stepped up to the plate – now or in the past – we get her by default. If I was heartless and less of a man, I would turn her out into the street (that day may yet come) but for now I’m in a prison of my own device.

She has until March 1 to stay with us. If she doesn’t find something by then… *sigh* …I can’t be held responsible for letting her go.

Meanwhile, brewing is going strong. I need to take a weekend and visit Mike Sweeney of www.stlhops.com. He was gracious enough to let my adventurous brewing partner hangout during a weekend recently and I’m hoping I can do the same. Our Rocktoberfest didn’t turn out as we planned, but there is still great hope for the as yet unnamed Irish Stout – both of which have been bottled. The next batch will be kegged, I hope. So that’s another thing to add to my list from the previous post:

• Get a kegerator!