Beer n Stuff

My internets are on the fritz. Fixed for now.

Yesterday I bottled my Pale Ale, and racked my Vanilla Irish Stout to a secondary vessel. Really looking forward to trying the PA because I tasted it yesterday, and it as kind of spicy from the rye I used in it. Once it has carbonated it should be pretty awesome. I also had a chance to try one of my Heather Ales. This thing has been batch aging for about two months, and bottled for 2 weeks. I threw a sixer in the fridge yesterday afternoon, and had one last night. Thoughts on it are as follows:

Warrior and Hen Heather Ale

I used Maris Otter barley for the first time and am now glad I did. Got a nice biscuity, malty flavor from it that I really enjoy. I also used some toasted rye which along with the hops gave it a slight spicy finish. Honey was added at the end of the boil for some sweetness, and flavor which definitely shows up. I used Saaz hops as my bittering hops even though they are more used as aroma. I didn't want to have a very bitter hop profile because I knew the Heather would provide the bitterness I wanted. The Heather was phenomenal. A wonderful herbal quality, and just the right amount of bitterness is evened out by the tatse of Heather. It's just what I was looking for. I think with another couple of weeks of aging this beer will mellow a bit and become a favorite of mine. Very happy to be able to brew a beer that doesn't fit the mold of every other beer out there.
     

Day 14 of Primal. BW 261. 11 lbs in 14 days. Not too shabby!

5/1/12

Deadlift
135x5
225x5
275x5
285x5
295x5

The Linda...= progress!

Hammer Curls
35x 10,10,10,10,10

Push Ups
BWx 10,10,10,10,10

Pretty easy, and simple workout. I am without bench right now so I can't really bench press or squat right now. Soon enough!

4/30/12

Day 10 of Primal. BW 263

Had a little workout today. Kind of chill but more reps on some stuff than usual. Also started the Linda today. No offence, but I ain't gonna share my numbers right now with the Linda. Not ashamed, but want to keep them to myself. ; )

1HP Warm ups
50x5 BH
70x2 BH

2HP
100x3
120x3
150x1,1,1
160x 10 singles
170x1

Grippers
#2x 3 BH
#2.5
      LHx 1,1 w/2" set  This is big for me! Huge. That close to CCS mother f'ers!
      RHx 1,1 w/MMS

The Linda on my homemade Inch Trainer.

4/28/12

Day 8 of Primal: BW 264

Squats, Grippers, and Various Wrist Curls.

Squats
155x5
185x5
205x5
225x5
225x5

Grippers
#1x5,5 BH
#2x5,5 BH
#2 1 1/4" Blockx5,5 BH
#2.5 LHx1,1,1,1,1
        RHx1,1,1,1,1  I did a 10 sec hold on the last 3 singles BH

Reverse BB Wrist Curls
55x10,10,10,12,15

Wrist Curls
65x15
75x15
85x12
95x10

Time for a day off!

4/27/12

 Day 7 of Primal. BW 264#

Over all energy has been down even though I have been feeling good. I haven't felt bloated at all since I started Primal. I have had some issues with minor constipation, but have been drinking more water and getting more fiber the last few days, so that should change. Despite the general energy loss I found it in me to workout tonight. Glad I did.

1HP
50x10 BH
70x5 BH

2HP
100x7
122x5
150x3
165x1
170x-,-  hand strength seems to be the worst of my strength loss lately. 170 is usually a working weight for me. Wouldn't budge tonight.

44# KB Swings
20,20,20,20,20

2 3/8" Axle Clean-n-Press. (to be known here on out as Fat Ass Axle, or FAA.)
125x7x5
135x5x5x5  These were all clean, press, and under control to the ground for each set, not rep.

Mesquite Stone Lifts
245x1,1,1,1,1

Well I am friggin' pooped. Felt real good to move that weight tonight. Think I'll take a shit now.

4/25/12

Primal Day 5: BW 264. 8lbs lost.

So my energy has been down. The Primal has been go to me weight loss wise, but the last 3 days I have been pretty weak. I have tried to work out a few times, but today was the only decent day I have had. I put my arms through the ringer today. From my pinky to my shoulders are friggin' pumped, and it feels good.

I brewed up a batch of Irish Stout yesterday using a canned kit from Coopers. Just add water and yeast, mix it up, and there ya go. I actually added about a pound and a half of DME to raise up the ABV a bit. I will add some vanilla bean during secondary just to add some depth.

During all of this I also tried to get some benching in. While warming up with 175, my bench broke a little bit on me, and the weight came down on my neck... ouch. It scared the living poop outta me. I'm ok though. I am discussing plans with Aaron to strengthen and modify my bench for safer use. That would rock!

Out.

4/26/12

Starting day 3 of Primal.

Morning Weight: 266

Lbs Lost: 6

Guess it works. I'll be back this afternoon for a gripper workout update.