For my friend’s birthday, I decided to give him a few of my home brews. But none of my beers had labels. Lucky for me I have a girlfriend who’s got some decent graphic design skills. With only an hour before we had to get out to meet up with the birthday boy for drinks, she researched beer label designs, considered my aesthetic, and gathered content requirements. We decided to incorporate the recipe name, alcohol percentage, brew date, and bottle date. I didn’t have much time to be clever with the brewery name, so I went with my address, 333.

The three beers I gave him were Chocolate Maple Porter, A Well-Made Tripel (which he helped brew), and Tea and Toast. We printed on some label paper my girlfriend happened to have about the apartment. I was really impressed with the result. And when we turned them over to our friend later that night, so was he and everyone else.

Here are the three labels up close and personal.

I drew this from memory of a photo Carrie sent to me recently. Used Zen Brush on iPad.

I bottled my tea and toast brew this afternoon. Looks like tea, no? This is the fourth beer I’ve bottled. No major complications with bottling. Though I was disappointed to only get nine beers again. One day I’ll get 10! One day!

Next time I’ll fill the fermenter up closer to the top.

Here’s my budding beer collection: Everyday IPA, Chocolate Maple Porter, A Well Made Tripel, and Tea and Toast.

And here’s your moment of trub.

But first, a gratuitous shot of the mash.

At the boil, notice the color of the wert. Sort of a light caramel.

After the boil, enter English Breakfast tea bag.

Now look at the color change. I’m very interested in tasting this one!

Received Luke Pearson’s Hildafolk. I love the style and colors.