HDYB – New ownership?

I was in HDYB yesterday and Jan mentioned that they have someone seriously interested in taking over the business. Not sure if and when it will happen, but she said she & Pete intend on maintaining some low level of inventory until it happens… So our LHBS may not disappear yet.

Paradiso e Inferno

Well, after a one year hiatus, I decided to get back on the homebrewing saddle. I wanted a quick and simple recipe mostly for time convienence, but also something that would be ready to drink for a hot summer day. I chose this no nonsense Honey Wheat recipe.

OG for the recipe says 1.040, mine ended up being something like 1.062! Primary fermentation was normal. FG read at 1.010, not too far off the mark. No secondary fermentation, primed with 3/4 cup corn sugar.

About 10 days into bottling, took a sneek peak at how it was doing. Chilled one in the fridge for a bit, popped the top and bang! WAY too much head. Over carbonation to say the least. It was a nice pillowy white head, but it was clearly taking up half the glass. I also noticed the outside of the bottle was slightly sticky, and smelled of homebrew even before I opened it.

Went back to the basement, checked the box. One of the bottles had already shattered and soaked the cardboard box. How did I miss that?

For safety’s sake, purged and dumped the rest of the batch. Several bottles are even more explosive then the one I sampled. No idea how this happened. I checked BeerTools recipe calculator, the recipe was written correctly. Maybe it was the summer heat? I don’t know. I’m disappointed of course. Hate to dump beer down the sink. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board.

Bulk Grain Order – Redux

OK everyone. We talked some at this past meeting, and I think we’ve got enough interest to actually place a bulk grain order with North Country Malt Supply. We’ll probably do it in a few weeks (maybe after the next meeting so we can collect $$) to give folks enough time to look through the list and determine how much they need.

The list of grains and pellets can be found here here in Microsoft Excel format – You will notice they have several different maltsters available and many different malts to choose from. If you are looking for something in particular, North Country Malt Supply also has a comparison chart that will help you figure out what product you are looking for.

If you want to participate in the bulk order, please let Oliver Weatherbee or Garrett Sever know. We already have enough quantity to order to warrant a pallet shipment, so anything you want will only make everyone’s shipping costs lower. You can order a couple pounds of individual grains or a couple ounces of various hops as well – you don’t have to order big quantities!!!

Brewclub Brewery?

I received this email from Harald Ackermann today.

Hi Scott,

look what I found in the internet. (Speidel’s Master Brewer) This looks pretty cool. They may have an 80L soon. That would be cool for a “Brewclub Brewery”

Greetings
Harald

The power of beer

I had a bunch of my work colleagues for dinner and beer tonight – It was a ton of fun. We tasted my three brews on tap, I cracked open a few of the remaining OAVIPs, and eveng grabbed a few samples from the belgian kegs in the basement. Folks really loved it – and I think it actually convinced one of the non-homebrewers that he wanted to start looking into the hobby. My wife made some fantastic food as well – chicken shish kabobs, salad, and dips – it was wonderful. I really think everyone had a great time.

I must say that it is really rewarding to have people over and drink your beer when they honestly want more – I felt very happy and fulfilled. I think that is the beauty of homebrewing as a hobby – that others can really appreciate the fruits of your labor and enjoy themselves.

My ghetto brewery tour was very amusing for them – I think they enjoyed that alot too.

So now I go to sleep contented and happy the evening went so well – and looking forward to the next time my wife and I do this.

Homebrewing rules.