This is a neat little clip showing the history of breweries in America...most notably, how the craft breweries have risen again! Support your local craft brewery.
Cheers!
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hops and Dogs
I have seen a bunch of warnings about this lately and it is very important that all brewers know it. Don't let your pup near your hops!
http://www.northernbrewer.com/connect/2012/01/a-warning-about-dogs-and-hops/
There was a time, about a year ago, where Moxie (above) grabbed a single hop pellet that had dropped on the floor in the kitchen. Soon after, he began panting and didn't stop for several hours. I now realize, after the event, that the hops caused his body temperature to rise uncontrollably and I am lucky that he didn't ingest more. He turned out just fine, but brewers beware! Never store or dispose of your hops (even used) where the dog can get at them...that includes the compost bin. This also includes homegrown hops in the backyard. Let's try and keep our furry brewing buddies around (I'm talking canines, not humans)!
http://www.northernbrewer.com/connect/2012/01/a-warning-about-dogs-and-hops/
There was a time, about a year ago, where Moxie (above) grabbed a single hop pellet that had dropped on the floor in the kitchen. Soon after, he began panting and didn't stop for several hours. I now realize, after the event, that the hops caused his body temperature to rise uncontrollably and I am lucky that he didn't ingest more. He turned out just fine, but brewers beware! Never store or dispose of your hops (even used) where the dog can get at them...that includes the compost bin. This also includes homegrown hops in the backyard. Let's try and keep our furry brewing buddies around (I'm talking canines, not humans)!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you all have a great next couple of weeks. I got a Christmas present in the mail yesterday. OK, so I ordered it six months ago and it just happened to show up before Christmas...well planned.
Lowell Brewing Co. has now doubled its fermenting capacity to a whopping 20 gallons or 2/3 bbl with the additional fermentor! This will allow me to have two beers fermenting at the same time. I also have another project coming up regarding a new keezer that maybe I won't reveal until it is complete. Thanks, Micah and Jeff, for helping me out with some of the wood working! I will be kegging the 4th batch of Busted Wing IPA tomorrow. It varies slightly from the previous batches as it has a little more hop flavor and is more heavily dry-hopped. Should be tasty. I also threw Muddy Huddy into the ring for the annual Mountain Sun brewpub Stout Month competition. If it wins, a 6 bbl batch will be brewed and served at all three locations...pretty cool! I'm not holding my breath though. I'm trying to finish all of these projects in the next month and get things in order so I can free up some time for the new addition to our family in March! I know I don't usually go into topics outside of brewing, but I have a lot to be thankful for in this past year. First and foremost, my amazing wife, Sally and the upcoming arrival of our first kiddo. I couldn't be more excited and truly in awe with the whole experience, notably the strength and loving nature of Sally. I have also realized how lucky I am to have the family that I do and how important every single one of them are to me. So, on that note, have a great holiday and I'll check back very soon. Treat yourself to well-made, craft beers this holiday season and appreciate what you have in life while you sip!
Lowell Brewing Co. has now doubled its fermenting capacity to a whopping 20 gallons or 2/3 bbl with the additional fermentor! This will allow me to have two beers fermenting at the same time. I also have another project coming up regarding a new keezer that maybe I won't reveal until it is complete. Thanks, Micah and Jeff, for helping me out with some of the wood working! I will be kegging the 4th batch of Busted Wing IPA tomorrow. It varies slightly from the previous batches as it has a little more hop flavor and is more heavily dry-hopped. Should be tasty. I also threw Muddy Huddy into the ring for the annual Mountain Sun brewpub Stout Month competition. If it wins, a 6 bbl batch will be brewed and served at all three locations...pretty cool! I'm not holding my breath though. I'm trying to finish all of these projects in the next month and get things in order so I can free up some time for the new addition to our family in March! I know I don't usually go into topics outside of brewing, but I have a lot to be thankful for in this past year. First and foremost, my amazing wife, Sally and the upcoming arrival of our first kiddo. I couldn't be more excited and truly in awe with the whole experience, notably the strength and loving nature of Sally. I have also realized how lucky I am to have the family that I do and how important every single one of them are to me. So, on that note, have a great holiday and I'll check back very soon. Treat yourself to well-made, craft beers this holiday season and appreciate what you have in life while you sip!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Muddy Huddy!
This weekend I brewed a beer inspired by my buddy, Micah. Literally, we could go to a brewery with 30 beers on tap and he'll drink stout all evening. Therefore, he get's a stout coming out of Lowell Brewing. He and his wife chose to name it Muddy Huddy! Their newly born son's name is Hudson...so you can figure that one out. I wanted to make the beer very complex with a range of malts including a big roast character. I also used some CTZ, Chinook, Centennial, and Wilamette hops in it. After the mash, I realized that maybe I used a little too many specialty malts as the beer came out with a huge mouthfeel and body. Hopefully the 8% alcohol will thin that out a bit!
I also waxed the bottles of Oaked Townie Brown this weekend.This guy is a 13.1% Imperial Brown Ale brewed with British malts, maple syrup, and brown sugar. It was aged in an oak barrel for 6 months and is ready to go! It's pretty delicious and a great after dinner beer with dessert.
Muddy Huddy should be ready to drink round the first week of December. I'm looking forward to a nice, hefty cold weather sipper. Until next time...
I also waxed the bottles of Oaked Townie Brown this weekend.This guy is a 13.1% Imperial Brown Ale brewed with British malts, maple syrup, and brown sugar. It was aged in an oak barrel for 6 months and is ready to go! It's pretty delicious and a great after dinner beer with dessert.
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| The waxing got a tiny bit out of control, I'll have to trim the drips a bit! |
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| Olivia, Micah's wife, showing how Oaked Townie Brown is a great after-run beverage |
Muddy Huddy should be ready to drink round the first week of December. I'm looking forward to a nice, hefty cold weather sipper. Until next time...
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
What's next?
The IPA is running low and it is always nice to have one of those on tap...especially with my new shipment of Amarillo and Centennial hops....mmmmmm. Although, I have been wanting to brew a stout lately, maybe something with a huge roast profile, hint of chocolate, and American hops. I'll have to consult the Stout King, Micah on this one. Thoughts? I know Jeff will combine the two and want a Black IPA...also an option. I'm in the process of repairing the brewery after my mash tun temperature probe died on me. Once that is in, I'm back on the saddle. I am also designing a new hopback/trub filter for the brewery...that way I can get the late hop aroma I've been looking for. Hope everyone is doing well, check back soon!
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