Modern Monks Ryenstone Cowboy

(The 'Fallen Monk' has spoken. This is his follow-up to the double tapping party today (2/4) at the Derailleur Tap Room. Starting at 4pm, Ryenstone Cowboy will be available on draft, as well as a one night only German-style gravity keg. Derailleur Tap Room is located inside Bricktop at 1427 O St. in downtown Lincoln)

Everybody needs a break from the family at the holidays. Some people take refuge by spacing out watching Pawn Stars and Dirty Jobs marathons or maybe by going on epic bike rides in the freezing and snow. Modern Monks do it by making beer. Upon learning that his wife had booked them for a 6-day holiday trip back to Nebraska, one fallen monk decided his only salvation would come from packing up his brewing boots, all the hops he could muster (which included 12 kg of Hallertauer Hersbrucker hops sent over from Mahr's Brau in Bamberg, Germany), and plan a day of brewing with his Brother Bob. There was simply no other way to survive that brutal 6-day tour of casseroles, and hugs, and group pictures, and gifts that would need returning, and people you see once a year but of course wish that you could see more often ;)

The brewing of this lager (which includes 40% Rye Malt, 10% Oats, and 21 pounds of hops all told---featuring nearly 9# of assorted whole flower hops in the mash) took roughly 12 hours from start to finish. The mash itself took nearly 6 hours to drain, as the rye turned the mash to cement. That wasn't even on purpose: we used rice hauls! Lots of sitting around and watching wort trickle into R2 at a snail's pace made for the perfect escape from the rigors of holiday gatherings.

The finished product is yet untasted by the fallen Monk, but he expects that it should be a nice break from the monotony of spiced and strong-for-no-good reason winter beers that you've been forced to subsist on for the past 2 months. It isn't for everybody's taste, this isn't the thing you bring to grandmas's house at Xmas to share with Uncle Cindy, Auntie Tom, and Cousin Roger. It is probably too bitter and strange for them.

Many names have been tossed around for this beer...Monk's Don't Rye, Monk-on-Rye, Alex Henerye, Rye Awake, Gone Roggen, but who can resist a little Glen Campbell (getting cards and letters from people I don't even know) to say their final good-bye to the holiday season?