Central Veeyay Brewdown Ought-Eight

[Evan!]

Dale's out. Devaspawn/Hagen are iffy. Dude, hopefully you're still coming...

 

[Dude]

Dale's out. Devaspawn/Hagen are iffy. Dude, hopefully you're still coming...

WTF? Yeah, I'm still in. I'm hitting the road in about a half hour or so.

I'll be there 10:30ish.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

I'm now bringing a buddy along...

And Mr Lion, what about my dog? Can I bring him? He is a little wimp and is fairly good...I can keep him leashed up to the vehicle if you have concerns. My neighbor who would have let him out once during the day is gonna be out of town tomorrow. Be honest, if you'd prefer not, he can be in the kennel while Im gone. He's gone a long time in there in the past.

Bring the dog, I'm cool with it. Although I think you're probably already on the way.

 

[devaspawn]

Sorry guys. I am sure you can tell we are out. Hope you guys have a good time.

 

[Evan!]

Well, it was a long day, but we had a great time and ended up with ~16 gallons of wort at the end of the day. We really tried our best to get a webstream going, but to no avail. The ustreamtv website wouldn't connect to the camera on the macbook. Ah well.

Dude was mashed in before he go in the car, so he was ready to boil by the time he arrived; Flyin Lion had already mashed and was starting the boil when I got there. They both had normal ales to brew, while I had a huge english barleywine. So not only was mine going to take longer, I was also a good ways behind. I think my mash was 90 minutes because of a positive starch test at 60 minutes, then my boil had to have been about 3 hours (I had a 3 quart starter at home that I wasn't decanting, and I started with probably 11-12 gallons pre-boil vol, which I needed to get down to about 4.75 gallons. So, yeah, that took a long time. I don't think I'll have to worry too much about lack of melanoidin production

To add insult to injury, I decided to try out Dude's setup with the keggle, hop screen, march pump and plate chiller. Problem was, the hops I needed for this recipe happened to be ones I only had in pellet form, which his hop screen didn't like too much. So we ended up with at least a gallon of wort still in the keggle after 20 minutes or so, and the pump couldn't pull any more, so we just dumped the still-hot wort into the funnel strainer straight from the keggle, and I had to sit there stirring over top of the funnel screen because of all the pellet hop junk. After sitting in the garage for another hour, then sitting in the car for another 90 minutes on the way home, I was still at 74F when I got home! Moral of this story is: pellet hops suck balls!

Sorry Deva, Hagen and Dale couldn't make it. You guys missed out on a lot of great beer and great slow-cooked beef sammiches (thanks, Dude!) You also missed out on an awesome Iron Orr Brewery pint glass (thanks again, Dude!).

Lastly, a big thanks to Flyin' Lion and his family for providing a great location to do this, complete with refreshments and everything. Great brewday overall, and since it's exactly halfway between Dude and I, I think we're going to be doing this again soon. So stay tuned!

 

[Flyin' Lion]

Evan!, you left your tub of 5.2 here. I can hold on to it for the next brewday, or send it to you. Let me know.

 

[Dude]

It was an EXCELLENT time! I really get a charge out of brewing and talking beer with knowledgeable dudes. It was a total blast and we need to do it again.

I think between all of us, we solved the world's problems! We deduced a possibility in why Flyin' Lion doesn't think his Newcastle Clone is up to speed, we know that pellet hops are the devil, and we know December days can be a bit chilly--among many other things.

At any rate, hopefully we brewed up 15 gallons (or so) of some pretty good beer. I know we drank some awesome beer.

I brought along a 20 ozer of olllllllllllllllo's Hatch Cream that he had sent me, and it was phenomenal. Dude you did an awesome job on that beer and I'm going to brew it. We split that with a few of the neighbors as well and they were impressed too.

Redhook Double Black is pretty decent too. I didn't have much of an expectation for it, but it was a pretty good stout. I'll be buying more of it.

I wanna thank you guys for making it happen, and thanks Jason for hosting--it was awesome. My buddy and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

Let's do it again SOON (in fact, the sooner you plan it, the sooner you'll have an immersion chiller of your very own )!!!!!!!!!

 

[Flyin' Lion]

A good time was had by all, but there were some kinks to work out. First, I need to get this brewcast with ustreamtv.com worked out. Next, I need to remember to switch the tv to antenna instead of cable when I hook it up to the rabbit ears in the garage (sorry we couldn't watch football, Dude).

The weather cooperated, for the most part, and I really enjoyed my first "group brew" definitely something I'll want to do again soon.

ollllllllllo, the Hatch Cream was good, Jalapenos are not something I would expect to go well with beer. Evan brought some Beer de Garde (sp?) that was a big hit as well.

A big thanks to those that showed, and my apologies for those that didn't--life gets in the way sometimes and there's always another brew day.

 

[Dude]

Evan brought some Beer de Garde (sp?) that was a big hit as well.

OMG!!!! How could I have forgotten that???? (sorry Evan!) That was amazing!

I could have drank that whole bottle!

 

[devaspawn]

Yeah, I definitely wanted to make it. If for nothing else than to settle a discussion between Hagen and myself. We're both libertarians and we both took a test. I showed a little to the left of libertarian and he showed a little to the right. We are both pretty convinced that Evan would hit dead center on the libertarian test. .

Really though, it seemed like a it would be a good time and it sounds like it was. I really wanted to put some names to some faces. I figured it would be fun to meet some new brewers. I am jealous.

If you guys do it again the longer out the notice the better chance for me.

 

[Evan!]

Thanks, Dude. I'm "guarding" the rest of it for awhile see how it ages. I checked on the ABV, btw---9%.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

Let's do it again SOON

So, should we start planning Central VA brewday ought nine?

Let's start with a month and work the specifics out from there. I only get one weekend off per month, but I can be flexible for this event (days off are easy to come by at the beginning of the year).

So when, January, February or March?

 

[Evan!]

Let's go with early february...that's my vote anyway.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

Let's go with early february...that's my vote anyway.

February 1st is a Sunday, the 7th and 8th are Saturday and Sunday respectively and the weekend after that is Valentine's Day. I say Saturday, February 7th is a good pick, but I'm flexible.

Is there still interest in doing this? Or should we start another thread for the '09 brewdown?

 

[Dude]

Feb 1st is Super Bowl Sunday, so that's a no go for me. I can't do Feb 7th, we will be in Seattle visiting Brewtopia and the Naked City.

I say March or April...better weather.

 

[BierMuncher]

Feb 1st is Super Bowl Sunday, so that's a no go for me. I can't do Feb 7th, we will be in Seattle visiting Brewtopia and the Naked City.

I say March or April...better weather.

I envy you that trip.

Would love to pay BTia a visit.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

As of right now February 7th is the date and we can easily do this again in March or April.

Evan and Dale are onboard (Dude's out). Who else is in?

I'll have a patio heater for the garage and we can come up with some good ideas for snacks...

 

[Flyin' Lion]

I say March or April...better weather.

If you remember to bring a jacket next time, you won't be so cold...

 

[Hagen]

I'll have to double check the work schedule. As long as the First Bank of Hagen has funds availible, I'm down

 

[Dude]

So...how did everyone's beers turn out from this event? It has to be enough time where everyone has racked at least once, right?

My LWPA is now in a keg, but not on gas quite yet. I want it to cold crash a bit and then I'll dry hop.

I tasted it, and it is far out. Nice and malty, I like the slightly higher mash temp I've been going with on my beers lately. I always think LWPA is too bitter out of secondary, but it always mellows nicely. I think this one might be a bit too old by the time nationals roll around, but I'm gonna save a few bottles and see how it ages.

So far so good though, this one is a keeper.

 

[Evan!]

So...how did everyone's beers turn out from this event? It has to be enough time where everyone has racked at least once, right?

My LWPA is now in a keg, but not on gas quite yet. I want it to cold crash a bit and then I'll dry hop.

I tasted it, and it is far out. Nice and malty, I like the slightly higher mash temp I've been going with on my beers lately. I always think LWPA is too bitter out of secondary, but it always mellows nicely. I think this one might be a bit too old by the time nationals roll around, but I'm gonna save a few bottles and see how it ages.

So far so good though, this one is a keeper.

I guess I never check the alcohol tolerance of the Thames Valley strain. Turns out it's 10%. So, predictably, it pooped out around 11%, or 1.027. Not bad for a beer starting at 1.109, but I suspected fermentable sugars were still there. So, I racked it onto a Belgian Golden Ale cake, which I know has a higher tolerance. Lo and behold, it started back up, and dropped her down to 1.021-22.

So far, though, I'm REALLY impressed with the Thames Valley strain. It produced a very nice figgy character, with a bunch of fruit in the background, but relatively low ester/phenols. JZ's yeast origin chart says it's from "Henley of Thames", which I've never heard of. Anyway, so far, so good, though it has a long way to go before it's ready to actually drink. Still on the Golden Ale cake right now, then it'll be crash-cooled and sent to keg, then bottled from there.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

I had racked my blonde to secodary about a week ago and added gelatin to clear a bit. I racked to a keg today and it was crystal clear and quite tasty. I figured that my bad thermometer would have made this beer as dry as my brown ale, but it is surprisingly malty.

So good news all around, huh?

 

[Dude]

Sounds great for everyone then! Cool!

 

[JoeMama]

I just want to add that I hate (myself) for missing this thread earlier. I sooooooo would have loved to have been there (as a noob) to hang and learn a few tricks.
Come to think of it, I think that I was in Roanoke during this time with the wife at one of her weddings. You know the worst part about this?

Every damn sign that I saw giving me the distance from Charlottesville made me think of Evan and the mass of diverse beers that he has on tap.

Do you know how many signs there are to remind you that Charlottesville is only X miles away?
Why didnt I know you folk when I still worked in radio and had to spend 2 weeks in C-Ville to rebuild their network?
*Sigh*
-Me

 

[Flyin' Lion]

I just want to add that I hate (myself) for missing this thread earlier. I sooooooo would have loved to have been there (as a noob) to hang and learn a few tricks.
Come to think of it, I think that I was in Roanoke during this time with the wife at one of her weddings. You know the worst part about this?

Every damn sign that I saw giving me the distance from Charlottesville made me think of Evan and the mass of diverse beers that he has on tap.

Do you know how many signs there are to remind you that Charlottesville is only X miles away?
Why didnt I know you folk when I still worked in radio and had to spend 2 weeks in C-Ville to rebuild their network?
*Sigh*
-Me

We are having another brewday on Feb. 7, but alas, not at Evans with his numerous beers on tap--it's being held just south of Richmond.

And you're welcome to attend.

 

[JoeMama]

We are having another brewday on Feb. 7, but alas, not at Evans with his numerous beers on tap--it's being held just south of Richmond.

And you're welcome to attend.

You said SOUTH of Richmond correct? (Where would that put us?)

I just got a good chuckle as I Google Mapped Richmond VA right now and started scrolling South just to see where we might be landing. Of course Chesterville (Is that where you are?) popped up but - 'Brewers Crossroads' is just S of Richmond too...

(Just S of Emporia on the map inbetween Garysburg, Dahlia and Turners Crossroads.)

Something fun to look at on Google Maps.
Once again Google FTW!
-Me

 

[Flyin' Lion]

You said SOUTH of Richmond correct? (Where would that put us?)

-Me

It's says Chester in my profile.

 

[JoeMama]

K, just checked it with the SWMBO and she will be in DC for the weekend. This may be a daddy and Chloe visit, and Im not so sure on brewing myself. However, I am more than willing to bring what equipment I have (not filled with beer) to help others out. (i.e. mash tun, insulated turkey fryer etc)

Ill know more as the date approaches. Hell, Id just love to be able to hang out with other fellow brewers and learn a thing or 2!
-Me

 

[Flyin' Lion]

This is a little more than a week away, just checking to see how much interest is still out there.

Last I knew it was Evan, Joemama were in and Dude was out. So who else is interested?

 

[Evan!]

I thought maybe Hagen and Devaspawn were in, but I'm not sure.