Maybe it’s a little off topic today, or maybe not, since it’s a fun way to kill some time, when you have it to kill, but I was kicked back watching the first episode of the Sarah Conner Chronicles and had a wicked craving for a Rafton’s Exotic Vanilla Porter.  Unfortunately there’s only one left in my fridge and I’m trying to save it for when Nick comes to visit.  He’ll be sharing it or he’s not getting it at all.

Rafton’s Exotic Vanilla Porter isn’t something sold in stores, though a few lucky podcasters got their hands on a bottle at DragonCon 2007.  It was named such for the character Rafe created by author/podcaster Tee Morris and brewed by Jenn.  I don’t remember the whole of the story, but I think this homebrew came at Tee’s request too, Jenn could expound on that better than I could.

What all this mumbo jumbo is about is home brewing.  I have the privilege of being Jenn’s beta tester, and trust me if the Rafton’s had tasted bad Tee and the others would have never gotten it.  What intrigued me though is that she went against what a lot of home brewing publications would tell you in that making a vanilla brew at home is next to impossible because the way the vanilla oils don’t mix with the brew.  Bright havens did she blow them out of the water and had vanilla beans everywhere while creating this porter.  I believe she had at least one bean in every step of the brewing process and not only did it blend well it gave a fantastic aftertaste once drunk that lingered nicely on the palate.

I have seen where she brews and the whole process if mind boggling, so many steps it seems most people would get half way through it and forget about it.  She’s not only made the Rafton’s but three others as well and excelled with each batch.  Real life, however, has reared its hideous head and production of the ShadowsEdge Home Brewery has ceased for the time being.  I am fairly certain that she intends on making another batch of the Rafton’s for DragonCon 2008 and I’m looking forward to it…  I can wait that long I think.  Though if this batch is as good as the last one I may have to give it poor quality marks just to keep it for myself.

Home brewing is definitely something that’s going to take time, space and greenbacks.  Patience too considering I’ve listened to Jenn expound upon how tedious it is to try and bottle the stuff.  It is worth it, especially if you prefer your beer to have body and flavor instead of being hops water you can read through.

If you’ve got a creative spark and have the time it looks like a fun hobby that’s not completely for beer drinkers since you can homebrew wine as well.  Additionally, when it is all said and done, you get to kick back with the finished product and enjoy.  One thing for certain it’s definitely time well wasted.

And yes, there will be more about the Sarah Conner Chonicles and Tee Morris in the future.