Beer to age for nine months (if you get my drift)?

[mattmacleod]

Just found out my wife is pregnant (good pregnant, not "What? How did that happen?" pregnant).

It obviously hasn't sunk in yet as I'm still thinking fairly rationally but I thought it'd be nice to brew something now that I can open to wet the baby's head. I'm thinking along the barley wine/imperial stout lines. Any suggestions?

[maxashton]

I can open to wet the baby's head.

Careful, SWMBO might react strongly if you start chucking beer bottles over the delivery room.

[maxashton]

Seriously though, why not try a barleywine, or an Trappist beer. They're intended to be aged, and are consumed in small quantities due to the strength and complexity.

Ideal for celebration imo.

[Effigy]

Just found out my wife is pregnant (good pregnant, not "What? How did that happen?" pregnant).

It obviously hasn't sunk in yet as I'm still thinking fairly rationally but I thought it'd be nice to brew something now that I can open to wet the baby's head. I'm thinking along the barley wine/imperial stout lines. Any suggestions?

Congratulations! Hope everything goes well for you both.

This your first?

[mysterio]

Congrats!

Biere de Garde is a nice celebration beer, you could put it in champagne bottles.

[mattmacleod]

Congrats!

Biere de Garde is a nice celebration beer, you could put it in champagne bottles.

I like that idea. I've got a load of champagne bottles as well.

And yes, it's our first.

[oblivious]

Durden Park Beer Circle have a number of big beers that need 9 or more months to age


Original Porter (circa 1750)

O.G. 90

For 1 gallon (4.5lt):

3.5 lbs (1600g) Pale Malt

8 oz (226g) Brown Malt

8 oz (226g) Crystal Malt

4 oz (112g) Black Malt

1.5 oz (42g) Fuggles hops



Using a very stiff mash, mash grain for 3 hours at 150º F (66±1º C). Raise temperature to 170º F (77º C) for 30 minutes.

Sparge slowly with hot water at 180 - 185º F (82 - 85º C) to O.G. or required volume.

The first runnings from the sparge are best used for this beer (i.e. the highest gravity) in order to attain OG90. The further runnings can be used to make a lower gravity beer.

Boil with hops for 90 minutes.

Cool and ferment with a good quality ale yeast.

Mature for at least 6 months.

[maxashton]

Wow. That's fierce.

[oblivious]

Wow. That's fierce.

He did want a big one

[Duncndisorderly]

have you considered a Turbo Cider

Congratulations BTW

[Jim]

Congrats, Matt!

I'm sure you'll come up with a suitable brew.

[mysterio]

I like that idea. I've got a load of champagne bottles as well.

Let me know if you want a recipe.

[Gurgeh]

I'm still thinking fairly rationally

Mate, you'll be thinking rationally all the way through - just watch out for wifezilla - she's on her way...!



(congratulations!)

[bconnery]

Congrats!

Biere de Garde is a nice celebration beer, you could put it in champagne bottles.

Very true.
The problem I'm finding is that they taste good early on too...
I think I'm going to have to hide a dozen or so bottles away.

This is just about aging the beer. Two little ones is enough for me...

I'd go for this or else a big IPA perhaps?
A darker beer is nice to age but with the time of year something big but lighter might be nice...

Edit: Congratulations by the way!
Even "Oh My god Pregnant" can become good pregnant after a while, in my experience