06/28/2005

Ever Exploded a Frosty Mug of Beer?

Well, now you can. At any fireworks stand in Washington State. Amazing. Looks like a beer mug. Only made out of cardboard. And it has this little green fuse...

Okay, okay. This has nothing to do with homebrewing. But it is rather humorous. Some homebrewers have enough trouble trying to keep their real beer from exploding - I wonder if they'll keep their distance from this firework?

Cheers,

David

Posted by Dave at 06/28/2005 10:19:19pm
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06/28/2005

Home Brewing: Hobby or low-tech snobbery?

Some homebrewers call it a hobby. Some people who observe their behavior call it an obsession. And then, some people in the brewing business call it low-tech snobbery.

You see, there's a careful balance with homebrew culture. One goal is, sure, to make your own beer and take pride in your work. Another goal, it seems, is to do it on the quick and easy, to cut a few corners and not spend a lot of cash in the process. Some homebrewers take it to such an extreme that they craft a new artform in finding workarounds and cheap solutions to the common problems. For example, why buy stainless steel brew kettles when old Rubbermaid coolers will do?

It seems pretty split, this homebrew culture, between those who focus more on a good finished product -- their beer -- and those who'd rather pat themselves on the back for getting the job done for half the price.

I know of brewers who run the entire gamut. Some want the best beer but strive to find a way out of spending a couple hundred bucks. Others could care less, so long as the beer is good and the equipment top of the line.

I find myself somewhere in the middle. I've been talking with a local welder who custom welds fermentation tanks for vineyards in Yamhill County, and who's ready to custom-build me a fantastic three-keg brewing system, similar to the one at this site. I'm just trying to figure out the timing, not to mention long-term cost and storage of the equipment. I'll go more into detail on it in future entries.

By and large, I think any serious homebrewer should be prepared to pay some serious cash for the right equipment. No, it doesn't have to be exorbitent in price, but it also shouldn't be old, leaky or rusty. And no, duct tape is not the best sealant you can find. Try harder.

All in all, if you love it, do it. But try to do it well. This is, after all, the homebrew capital of the world. Let's not lose that title because we'd rather save a few pennies in the process. Leave that task to the Catalans and their wine.

Posted by Dave at 06/28/2005 9:39:05pm
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06/28/2005

Welcome to NW Brewing

Hi everyone,

Let me tell you a little about myself. I'm 29 and live in the heart of the Silicon Forest. By day I'm a professional web developer, and by night an avid home brewer and winemaker. I've made some decent wine, some great cider, and some excellent beers, and found that brewing beer is a process-intensive, but very rewarding way to spend an evening or weekend.

In this blog, I'll share my experiences with you about brewing, and include observations, tips, product reviews, recipes, etc. I may even start a separate blog for a specific batch recipe, as I'll be adding notes on a daily basis.

I look forward to your comments, and hope you find this helpful and interesting!

Thanks again,

David Anderson

Posted by Dave at 06/28/2005 1:07:03pm
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