St. Patrick's About a Stout!

So a couple weekends ago I went with Nick Lennemann to his parents cabin in Minnesota. During this weekend we consumed quite a bit of beers. Good beers too. None of that water down piss. (ok, some watered down piss).

The best beer of the weekend though, was Nick's very own Homebrew: "St. Nick's There Can Be Only One Scottish Ale". It tasted as good as it sounds (and thats a Highlander reference for those of you keeping score at home). I was surprised to find out it was his first attempt at beer making.

I decided that I wanted to make my own beer, so on the drive back he gave me tips. That is how I have come to this:

That is the label for my first brew, a stout. I went to the Midwest Supplies website, and ordered what Ineeded. They were delivered in just 4 days and I had what I needed to brew 5 gallons of stout.

What I got was this:
(The contents of which is explained here.)

After a few days, I was ready to start brewing. This is my step by step diary:

9/12/2009
8:30pm
-Sanitize 1 gallon of water and put into freezer in santized tupperwear dishes using Easy Clean No-Rinse Cleanser .
-Sanitize 5 gallon wert kettle, a bowl to use to keep supplies clean, spoon and thermometer using Easy Clean.
-Add 4 gallons water to Wert Kettle and place on heat. Bring to boil.
9:10pm
-Water is boiling.
9:14pm
-Pour grains on to cutting board and roll with rolling pin to "open them up".
-Place grains into sifting sock (much like a pantyhose) and set in the bowling water (like a tea bag in a cup.)
9:45pm

-Remove grains from kettle, squeezing the sock to help it drain.
9:47pm
-Crank the heat and let it boil.
10:00pm
-place the Malt Extract into a warm bath so that it becomes less syrupy and more liquid.
10:14pm
-At a rolling boil.
-Take the kettle off the burner.
-Add gypsum and malt extract (BE SURE TO REMOVE THE RING OFF THE TOP OF THE MALT EXTRACT JUG... OTHERWISE IT FALLS INTO YOUR WERT... NOT THAT THIS HAPPENED TO ME OR ANYTHING...IMJUSTSAYING!!!) Drench the bottle and be sure to get all the extract out of the jug. (AGAIN, REMOVE THE RING FROM THE TOP FIRST.)
- Stir well.
10:25pm
-Put wert back on the burner and bring to boil.
10:47pm
-Once boiling add bittering hops by placing them into the same sifting sock.

11:45pm
-Remove bittering hops and add aroma hops to the sifting sock.
-Place sock into wert and move up and down for 2 minutes.
9/13/2009
12:02am
- When it looks like this, it's ready.
- Remove wert from burner and place in an icebath in the kitchen sink. (I used 20lbs. of ice.) Add in the 1 gallon of frozen water.
- Coming off the burner, the temperature of the wart was 140 degrees F.
- Place lid on top.
12:17am
-Remove lid, Stir. Temperature was 130 degrees F.
12:21am
-Remove lid, Stir. Temperature was 102 degrees F.
12:33am
-Remove lid, Stir. Temperature was 86 degrees F.
12:40am
-Remove lid, Stir. Temperature was 80 degrees F. Perfect!
- Now that it is 80 degrees F, take wert out of ice bath and pour it into 5 gallon bucket for primary fermentaion. (use the bucket without the hole in the side).
- Place santized glass jar into the wert, scooping out enough for a Hydrometer reading. The reading was 1.046.
12:45am
- Add more sanitized water filling the bucket to the 5 gal. mark.
- Prepare the yeast by pouring the packet into 90 degree F water, let set for 10 minutes.
12:50am
- Begin whisking the wert with a clean sterilized whisk. That puts oxygen into the wert. Do this until it gets a nice foam on top.
12:55am
- Add in the yeast.
1:00am
- Place lid on top and put the airlock on the hole (filling it with half with water first.)
- Put into closet with thermometer on the side.
5:00pm
- I realized the temp was at 79 degrees F, a little to high for my liking, so I moved the bucket from the closet to right in front of our air conditioner placing a fan on it.
- For the next 3 days, it never got above 72 or below 69.
9/17/2009
8:26pm
- Opened the primary fermentation bucket, and noticed the foam from the fermentation had gone down. Leaving a dark ring about an inch thick above the beer.
- Took a small sanitized glass, and scooped out some. Tasted it. IT WAS GREAT! Stacie and I both had a taste, and were satisfied. No contamients!
9:05pm
- Prep the glass carboy by sanitizing it in the bath tub. (The heat and steam made the fire alarm go off. Awesome).
- Sanitize the auto siphon.
9:17pm
- Begin siphoning the beer from the primary fermentation bucket to the glass carboy.

- Once it starts to get low, tilt the bucket so as not to get the sediments at the bottom in the Carboy.

9:25pm
- Cork the carboy and add the airlock, filling it half with water again.
- I placed the glass carboy into the closet because the temperature does not bug me as much now in the secondary fermentation.

9/22/2009
7:59pm
-Began to steralize the bucket with spout, cyphoning tube, and hose.
8:10pm
- Took hydrometer reading: 1.114
8:15pm
- Cyphoned beer from carboy to bucket with spout.
8:22pm
- Began to bottle.
9:15pm
- Bottling was finished: 52 12oz bottles and 1 16oz bottle.

9:22pm
- Placed into closet in 2 boxes to let set for 2 weeks.


10/4/2009
10:30pm

-Opened first bottle of St. Patrick's About a Stout and drank. It was Great! Began labeling a few bottles for friends and family. SUCCESS!

That is all for my Stout (except drinking!). I am currently making:
"St. Patrick's Tastie Hastie Hefeweizen"

10 Movies I Want to See...

The following is a list of 10 movies that come out between now and the end of the year, that I think are going to be great. There are also trailers, so you can see if you also would like these movies or not.

10. Nine
Release Date: 11-25-2009
IMDB says: Famous film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother.

I says: This is not the animated movie called 9 which also comes out later this year. No, I am talking about a live action talky with the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis. Who is one of the greatest actors of our generation. It also has a string of lovely ladies, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, and Kate Hudson. Not to leave out Fergie, who I think is sexy, but everyone else in the world has mixed opinions of and the double punch of Sophia Loren and Judi Dench, two women born in the 1930s who are still hotter than most hollywood stars today.



9. 9 (you didn't see that coming did you?)
Release Date: 9-9-2009
IMDB says: When 9 first comes to life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world where all humans are gone, and it is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the earth intent on their extinction. Despite being the neophyte of the group, 9 convinces the others that hiding will do them no good. They must take the offensive if they are to survive, and they must discover why the machines want to destroy them in the first place. As they'll soon come to learn, the very future of civilization may depend on them.

I says: This movie just looks good. I don't usually go for the animated stuff, much less this style. (Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride... not my thing.) However, on the heals of being surprised by Coraline, and an all star voice cast including Chris Plummer, Martin Landau (is that something you might be interested in?), John C. Reilly, Elijah Wood and Crispin "I played Marty McFly's father" Glover, I think this will be a twisted experience.



8. The Informant!
Release Date: 9-18-2009
IMDB says: The U.S. government decides to go after an agri-business giant with a price-fixing accusation, based on the evidence submitted by their star witness, vice president turned informant Mark Whitacre.

I says: So there have been a lot of movies the last few years I have skipped, 2 being Michael Clayton and Syriana. Why? Because even though I am interested in the plot, I have a hard time getting into political driven movies like the such. However, The Informant, a tounge and cheek film with the same plot lines, looks great. Matty Damon is a funny guy as is, but surround him with Joel McHale (from The Soup), Paul F. Thompkins (from Best Week Ever), Scott Adsit and Patton Oswald, and you have gold. This movie will make you laugh.



7. Brothers
Release Date: 12-4-2009
IMDB says: A young man comforts his older brother's wife and children after he goes missing in Afghanistan. Based on Susanne Bier's film, "Brodre". |

I says: I didn't see "Brodres". But, I am going to see this film for 3 reasons. Jake Gyllenhall, Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman. Now, I am not a huge Jake Gyllenhaal fan, nor am I a huge Tobey Maguire fan, but I've been saying for years these two had the same DNA. Remember when Kirsten Dunst would go kiss Tobeyon the set of Spiderman and then go home and bang Jake? I am pretty sure she thought she was dating Spiderman. Poor confused girl. And then Natalie Portman, who I haven't seen in anything since Hotel Chevalier/The Darjeeling Limited (in which I got to see her nude), is great in everything. I just hope it doesn't suck.



6. Extract
Release Date: 9-4-2009 (already out, haven't seen yet)
IMDB says: The owner of a flower-extract plant (Bateman), tries to contend with myriad personal and professional problems, such as his potentially unfaithful wife (Wiig), a hot new temp (Mila Kunis), and employees who want to take advantage of him.

I says: Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck and Mike Judge. That's reason enough to go see this movie. Remember Beavis and Butthead or King of the Hill or Office Space or Idiocracy? How about any Kevin Smith film or Arrested Development? There is no other reasons needed to go see this movie. So why haven't I seen it yet? (I was under the impression it came out next month, until I started writing this blog.)



5. Inglourious Basterds
Release Date: 8-21-2009 (already out, haven't seen yet)
IMDB says: An American-led killing squad known as “The Basterds” terrorize the Nazis in German-occupied France during World War II.

I says: I really want to see this movie. I do. I just haven't had the time. James saw it, he told me all about it. Fuck. I should see this movie huh? Tarentino? Ryan the Temp? Brad Pitt? Nazi Killing Bad Mother Fuckers? Yes I need to see this movie. (Also, if you watch the trailer I have posted, check out the vicious crazy shit in the comments. People are really fucking crazy.)



4. The Invention of Lying
Release Date: 9-25-2009
IMDB says: A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.

I says: I saw Ghost Town on a plane to Dublin. Not bad. Made me giggle. Of course I am a huge fan of Ricky Gervais, and so just seeing his name on a movie would be reason enough to check it out right? Well, what if I add these names to the mix aswell: Jason Bateman (holla), Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Martin Starr, Tina Fey, Rob Lowe, Christopher Guest, Jeffrey Tambor, Louis CK, and Nathan Corddry (Rob's Funny Brother), now whattayathink of that? I literally cannot wait to piss inside my pants watching this movie.




3. Where the Wild Things Are
Release Date: 10-16-2009
IMDB says: Young, mischievous Max is sent to bed without his supper, but when his bedroom turns in to a magical jungle landscape filled with strange creatures, he embarks on a wild imaginary adventure.

I says: Remember this fucking book? Holy shit, what a crazy story about a kid and his make believe animals. I bet ya it'll be tons of CGI and shit huh? Nope, it's as real as Harry and the Hendersons. Directed by Spike Jonze and even has Mark Ruffalo in it. I can't wait to show this to my kids when I am older so that I don't have to read to them. Aww, the wonders of Parenting.



2. Sherlock Holmes
Release Date: 12-25-2009
IMDB says: Detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

I says: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is bad ass. Iron Man is bad ass. Jude Law is bad ass. Guy Ritchie is bad ass. Therefore, Sherlock Holmes is bad ass. A classic story being told in the vein of Snatch/Lock Stock. Yep, I'll be there.



1. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Release Date: 11-13-2009
IMDB says: Angry farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with a sly fox, look to get rid of their opponent and his family. Based on the book by Roald Dahl.

I says: I never heard of the book this is based on. I have been aware of the story though for several years. Because IMDB has had this film listed since late 2003. That was around the same time I found myself drawn to the work of Wes Anderson. Well since then, we've had The Life Aquatic and The Darjeeling Limited, Noah Baumbach gave us The Squid and the Whale and Margot at the Wedding, and Owen Wilson made our day by NOT succeeding in his suicide attempt (yikes). This is a stop-motion film. In the vein of those old Frog and Toad stories. I have been waiting 6 years for this, and with voice talents of George Clooney, and Meryl Streep, with Wes Anderson film mainstays Bill Murray, Jason Shwartzman, and Owen Wilson, I cannot imagine it sucking.



also, here is a featurette about The Fantastic Mr. Fox, narrated by Jason Shwartzman:

Read/Listen/Watch/Rent

READ: Oh The Glory of it All by Sean Wilsey

I had never heard of Sean Wilsey. I had never heard of this book. I was at the Goodwill in Ames, and I saw this book staring at me from the shelf. The cover is crazy, it reminds me of an album cover, so I picked it up. It is about 500 pages, which is about 300 pages longer then the books I like to read. However, I bought it, started it, and love it. Sean is the son of rich San Fransico aristocrats, who are terrible people. His mom is a crazy person, his father is a 70 year old who doesn't care about him, and his step mom is possibly the worst person alive. The kicker is, it's all a true story. He really lived this insaine life, that involves meeting the pope and Reagan (as part of his moms "children as teachers of peace" program), beating off to paintings of his bitch step mom, and being friends with Danielle Steel as an 11 year old in the early 80's. I am only 170 pages in, but it's addictive. For fans of Augusten Burroughs or David Sedaris, definatly check this book out.

LISTEN: Monsters of Folk

Let's pretend you have a favorite band, or a favorite song writer. Now let's pretend you have two or three favorite bands or song writers. Now let's pretend, the members of three of your favorite bands got together to form a band. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, Monsters of Folk. The name, tounge and cheek as hell, is comprised of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes/Mystic Valley Band), Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes), M. Ward (M.Ward/She and Him), and Jim James (My Morning Jacket). They released three tracks to itunes, with a new cd coming out on September 22nd, and I am a just a little more than excited. Of the three songs out now, there is "Say Please" which is solid with alternating vocals, "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F)" which sounds like track 8 on a Songs of the Seventies mix (but in a good way), and "The Sandman, The Brakeman and Me" which is possibly my favorite song released this year. Jim James and M.Ward singing together gives me chills, and that guitar, the steady rhythm and tiny picking, is perfect. I can see myself in 30 years listening to this song.



WATCH: Flight of the Conchords

Bret and Jemaine are New Zealand's 4th most popular folk parody duo. So obviously, it's time for them to take America by storm. The boys move to NYC and hook up with music mogul/New Zealand tourism director Murray (present), and set there sights on becoming rock stars. This is one of the funniest shows I have ever watched. The story is intercut with the bands music, and great side characters like Mel, the groups 1 fan, and Dave, a douche bag. You'll love seeing these guys deal with culture shock, love, parties, monkey killers as they follow the misdirection of Murray. It's hard to explain this show, so here's a sample:



RENT: (500) Days of Summer

You actually can't rent "(500) Days of Summer" yet. It came out last friday in theaters, but considering Stacie and I saw it on Saturday and we were the only ones in the theater, it will be on DVD soon. Which is a shame, it was great. It's the story of the 500 day long relationship between Tom and Summer, told in non-chronological order. Tom, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (aka Tommy from 3rd Rock From the Sun) is one of my favorite younger male actors. After great rolls in Manic (which also starred Zooey Deschanel who plays Summer), Brick, The Lookout and Stop Loss, it's good to see he's blowing up in this movie and as Cobra Commander in GI Joe. Zooey Deschanel, who I mentioned plays Summer, is always good. I have loved her since I saw her in Manic, and since she's made indie flicks (Eulogy, Winter Passing, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Good Girl), big studio films (Almost Famous, Big Trouble, Elf, Yes Man) and television (Weeds, Tin Man) and in everything shes great. It doesn't hurt that she is the "She" in the band "She and Him" (where the "Him", is M.Ward, see this posts LISTEN section). This isn't a love story, nor does it try to be, but it does make you root for both characters. Also, within the first half hour the movie makes reference to my favorite song of all time, "Boy with the Arab Strap" by Belle and Sebastian. Roger Ebert, who is one of the only critics I pay attenion to (if Peter Travers wouldn't be such a dick about Star Wars, maybe him) gave this 5 stars. I have never seen him give a movie 5 stars. So go see it. Now.

Read/Listen/Watch/Rent

READ: Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk

Chuck Palahniuk just writes one crazy book after another. "Snuff" is the story of an aging porn star, Cassie, who decides as her last hurrah she is going to break the record for most sexual acts in one day, 600. The book is told through the eyes of four people. An aging male porn star who wants to bang Cassie out of respect. A confused middle aged legit-actor who recently lost his job on a popular "Law and Order" style tv show because of his sex life, who wants to propose to Cassie so they can get a reality show. An 18 year old high school graduate who is obsessed with Cassie, and doesn't want to fuck her but save her, because he beleives she is his birth mother. And the last character is the girl who organized the whole gang bang, Cassie's right hand girl. A tough feminist. This isn't so much a sex story, as it is a "who-done-it", "it" being Cassie. I'd say this book is better than "Invisible Monsters" and "Lullaby", but not as good as "Survivor" or "Rant". But still, the worst Chuck Palahniuk book is still pretty fucking good.

LISTEN: The Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave

So back in Febuary when I made my "Top 10 of 2008" this was on it. At that time, I had listened to it once or twice and thought it was great. Since then, I have listened to it maybe 500 times. Kristian Matsson, who is The Tallest Man on Earth, has a voice like no other. It's not great. But it is booming. The music is beautiful folky/blue grass. Matsson is from Sweden, where latley I have found lots of great music (Jose Gonzales, The Knife), and he has a great take on the world. The best thing is, this is his debut album. And the 10 songs on it burn through your soul. I can't wait to hear how he progresses. Below is a live version of "Honey Won't You Let Me In", enjoy.



WATCH: Entourage

A lot of people, including one of my favorite bloggers Dan Hopper, write Entourage off as some douche bag parade. Well it's not. It is great. For anyone who has great friends that they have had for years, this is a show for you. Not to mention crazy story lines, a cool slant on Hollywood and the most beautiful girls in the world. Entourage follows Vincent Chase, a young budding star as he tries to make a career in the pictures. He wants to make good movies, not just popcorn bullshit, which can be a hard decision for a young actor to make. The "entourage" is his boys from Queens: Eric or "E", his manager, a feisty irish mick who is small but can talk the shit and beat your ass. Turtle, his driver, who is a little bit ghetto, but there for you at the drop of the hat. and Johnny Drama, Vince's brother and a washed up character actor on shows such as "Blue" (Pacific, not NYPD) and Melrose Place. Then there is Ari, Vince's agent, who is a complete asshole, but has Vince's best intentions at heart. The first 5 seasons are great stories with definite re-watch ability. Season 6 started last night on HBO, and I have yet to watch the first episode. I cannot wait though. The only negative of the show is the fact that it's sometimes a full year between seasons. Here is the trailer for season six. Get hooked.



RENT: Push

Push is a great movie. I wish I would have seen it in the theater. I don't really know how to explain it, but think X-Men meets Logan's Run. Great performances by Chris Evans (probably his best roll since Danny Boyle's Sunshine) and my biggest surprise was Dakota Fanning, as a 13 year old "watcher" or person who can see the future (sort of). Go rent it, it's in the Red Box.

Gonna Build Something This Summer....

It's been a while since I made a post. Mostly because no one is reading this. Except Jen. (Hi Jen). Anyways....

I haven't posted because I have been busy as all hell lately. It all started last Tuesday the 30th of June when after a solid night of bowling I jumped in the car and drove down to good ol' Glenwood to see some old friends and check in with some family.

It was a good couple of days, except when the car busted. The power steering on it was already wrecked, but now there was a problem with the fuel tank. Basically no gas would go in it. So I dumped the car at Schenck and Melissa's house and started using my Grandpa Kid's farm truck.

The night the car broke, I met up with Alister, Emilie, Tim and Sara. It was really fun night, full of hookah and some beers. It's great when you only see people a few times a year, but still can catch up without missing a beat.

On the 2nd, I woke up at 9am, and spent the day with my family. Hanging out with my grandparents and my Uncle Dickey who is now home and recovering very nicely from his brutal surgery in mid June.

That night, at 2am, I left Glenwood in my Grandpa's truck and headed to the Des Moines Airport. It was a 2 hour drive up I80 in the middle of the night, and I really enjoyed it. I stopped off at the Kum and Go in Underwood and the fountain machine blew up on me, but the old man working the night shift laughed at me and I cleaned it up for him since I could tell he was in the middle of his shift cut. I've met this same old man several times at that Kum and Go and every time he has been nothing but nice to me.

I got to the airport at around 4am. After checking and security I found my gate and had a seat. Sitting across from me was a man with sunglasses on and a shit-eating grin. He looked to be in his mid 30's but he was listening to new rap on his phone. Not through head phones, just using the phones speakers. Which meant everyone sitting there was listening to it. He even rapped a long with it some. This fella also was wearing a t-shirt that said "Socialism" on it and the "o" was the Obama logo "o". And to top of this schmuck had a Glenn Beck book sittin' in his back pack. It was like someone said "hey Patrick, if we were to build the perfect example of a person you'd hate, what would you want it to look like?"

Well, time and the aeroplane flew and before I knew it I was at LaGuardia. (remember in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when Raphael is chasing Casey Jones and that taxi pulls out in front of him and Raph rolls across the hood? and then the guy in the cab goes "what the hell was that?" and the cabbie goes "looked like a giant turtle, in a trench coat.... you goin' to LaGuardia right?" I like that part).

On that Friday the 3rd we went down to Jersey to a Medieval Times. It was BAD ASS. Stacie and I got seated in the "City of Leon" which made us root for the Green Knight. Well the Green Knight kicked ass, talking shit to the king, fightin' everyone, and he even tried to succeed from the realm. We were fucking South Carolina circa 1860 (without all that slavery/states rights bullshit). At the end the Green Knight was struck down by the Yellow and Red or Blue and Pink Knight. It was a total fix. But whatever. It was fun as hell. Stacie and I decided we were gonna go to every Medieval Times. There are like 8 or 9 and I have already been to Myrtle Beach (hey, that's in South Carolina, I like it when shit ties together like that).

The next day was good ol' Fourth of July. We went to Battery Park and saw Jenny Lewis and Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band. It was perfect.

Here is a video of "Roosevelt Room" from the set. I didn't film the video, but I am in it.





After the concert we went to Brooklyn to see Stacie's workplace and one of her job sites. It was really cool to see what she does. Then we went to some side street of Amsterdam and watched the fireworks.

The next day, Sunday the 5th, we went to Avenue Q. It was amazing. Sesame Street for adults. I sugguest you go here and watch everything available.

Later that day, we went to 30 rock, and went to the top. There are some great pictures, but I don't have them here. So you can see 'em later.

On Monday I left NYC and flew back to Des Moines, where I got in Grandpa's truck and drove to Boone. After seeing Mattie Cattie and Murpho for awhile I went to work. I then went on to work something like 46 hours over the next 6 days.

Now I am back in Glenwood, at my parents house having a camp out of sorts with my two oldest nephews Hunter and Jackson and Murphy in my parents living room. Tomorrow I plan on getting the car fixed. And then Tuesday it's back to Boone for Bowling Night. Then I just gotta get through till the weekend and on Monday Stacie is back for good. No more internship, we can FINALLY be together again. It's pretty exciting. Murphy and Mattie can have a Mommy again.

Jesus Christ

This is a music video I made for one of my favorite songs Jesus Christ by Brand New. There was no plan behind the video, but people who have seen it have said they think it's about a ghost floatin' around lookin' for heaven. I like that idea.

The Lights and The Buzz

This is another short. It was easier to film with my nicer camera, and I tried to film scenes. Same basic story as before, just the guy (again, played by me), is a little older, a little skinnier and a little druggier. But, when morning comes, he has to go to work. My idea was, do you really know what the people you work with are like outside of work? They could be manic depressive heroin addicts.