Living: Brew Review

Urban Groundhog's Hefeweizen! 6/10 acorns.

We regretfully have to give this first attempt at all-grain brewing a barely passing score of six out of ten acorns. While the drink had a pleasant appearance, aroma, and fruity, wheat notes, it was lacking in several areas. The flavor was weak and didn't give any of the protein-rich mouth-feel usually accompanying the style. This was apparently due to the over sparging which yielded much more wort than was expected. The flavors were mild to the point of being watery and the after-taste had an unpleasant cidery-ness. It was drinkable but barely.

Living: Brewing Sytem

New Brew! We are now in production of our second beer and a review of our first is forth-coming. This next batch will be an American Amber Ale. In the clip below you can see our economical, all-grain system in action.

Remember that you sparge water should be close to 170 degrees without going over.

Society: Prominent Woodchucks to Wed

Woodchucks Michael T. and Carmen B. announced their engagement to a small family gathering and have set the date for September 5, 2009. Insiders say the date was selected to precede some serious, hibernation-time snuggling.

Reliable sources indicate that the ceremony will be "a casual, country, al-fresco, affair" and will be followed by a groundhog jamboree and camp out. Our source further explained that upon hearing the news Michael's mom "cackled like insane hyena."

Pictured here is the happy couple pilfering green beans from the Weaver's Way farm in their Philadelphia habitat.