I Present To You: The Ninja Ginja

The time is here; this weekend's Iron Brewer Competition is only 2 days away, and I think I'm ready to rock and roll!  If you look back, I believe it was May 7th that I brewed my batch of "root vegetable" beer.  Not knowing what I was getting into with this recipe, I was definitely very interested to taste the final product.  At each transfer I'd taste it and wasn't too enthused, but then again, as big of a beer as it is, I knew I couldn't judge it yet.  I kegged it last Friday and poured the first glass Saturday.  The 10.65% ABV was definitely known, but there was a sweet/honey backbone trying to make itself known.  I took some to a friend's place for a bbq and to have them taste it for me; it was met with mixed reviews (which I felt the same).  I hadn't touched it since then until yesterday when I wanted to check the carbonation and tweak any last minute things with it if needed.  I poured a glass with a thin head so I knew I needed to bump the CO2 a tiny bit and try to get some more froth.  The best part was the first sip; everything had really mellowed out and the flavors had melded perfectly!  The alcohol was not such a punch on your tongue, and the honey sweetness has moved more to the forefront.  I'm going to check the carbonation again tonight and will have one last chance to make any adjustments for the grand release at this year's Hop Barley and the Alers annual picnic and Iron Brewer Competition.  I'll get some pictures tonight and post here, but until then, cheers!