Husbands AG vs Beerfest birthday present

[bestswmbo]

Hey all,

I need to decide on the rest of my husband's birthday present. I just ordered a big box of all the extra goodies we'll need to bottle our first large extract batch which is fermenting right now. But for the rest of the present, I've got options. We're planning to go AG soon, and that's NBD since we've watched/heard about our AG brewing friends for sometime. But, I found a beerfest a local craft beer bar is having with a local brewer, food matchings, and tastings of rare or unique beers from a local and very good brewery (two days after his birthday). Apparently it's a small group and you get to interrogate the brewer. Also, if I went this way I'd add in a brewing book or two (suggestions welcome). Or, I'm going to get the two 10 gallon drinking coolers and the fittings for the spigot which will get us ready to go AG (we already have a mesh hose for filtration.

So, it's either gonna be:

Tickets to the beerfest/access to ask a local brewer his trade secrets/try some good beer the week of his birthday. I'll throw in a brewing book or two (suggestions? Joy of Home Brewing? Something newer?)

or

Two ten gallon drinking coolers, and the correct fittings/spigots. (This one seems sort of boring. I wouldn't be surprised if he buys these for himself next month, anyway. And if I get these it'll be hard to hide them from him until his birthday, meaning he wouldn't have any real present on his birthday, and we'd probably end up going out anyway.)

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[JHawKS]

Both sound spectacular. If he's just going to get the AG stuff himself, get him something he wouldn't normally get for himself. That's what I think makes the best gifts.

You're a kick-a wife either way you go! :rockin:

 

[Rivenin]

either i would approve of!

i wish my SWMBO would get into my hobby as much as you are lol

 

[Westel]

The thought is amazing! I would go with the beerfest, half the fun of going all grain is building you equipment and if you buy him all the parts he won't be able to choose the design he wants. (there are alot of ways to put together a working AG system)


As for books I'm about half way through "Designing Great Beers" by Daniels and I wish I would have read this alot sooner.


Anyhow hope this helps and great job with the selections!

 

[Homercidal]

If you think he's going to get the AG stuff anyway, take him out to the beer tasting! It will be fun for both of you.

Of course you should also treat him to some very personal attention afterwards, if he's up for it...

 

[jholen]

As for books I'm about half way through "Designing Great Beers" by Daniels and I wish I would have read this alot sooner.

+1 to Designing Great Beers!

 

[sweetcell]

IMHO, it comes down to finances. if buying the coolers is inevitable, he'll do it anyways, and it won't be a financial burden, then i say go for the tasting tickets. but if the coolers are a spendy and something that would cause minor hardship, then funnel the money into that (and spare him/yourselves from ramen and inability to go out on the weekend).

the tickets are indeed the more special/memorable gift, so get those if you can swing them.

"bestswmbo" - yeah, i'll believe it mine is also very supportive and it really makes a huge difference. you ladies rock!

 

[BrewDocND]

If it were me, I'd want to beerfest. Any my b-day is tomorrow so you can send a ticket my way as well

It sounds like a pretty awesome event: local, rare/unique, good food. Yes please.

 

[biochemedic]

IF he doesn't already have a good basic brewing text, definitely get him Palmer's "How to Brew." Not that Papazian (New Complete Joy of Homebrewing) isn't a great book (I have both...), but Palmer is a little more up to date. If he is into brewing things that are more experimental, I'd get him Randy Mosher's "Radical Brewing."

In terms of getting him coolers for AG, unless you know exactly how he's planning to build his setup, you might be better off letting him buy those...

 

[emdiar]

He's lucky to have someone as thoughtful as you, OP! That said, I vote for giving him the beerfest experience. Equipment is great, but it's just stuff. Experiences create memories that mean more over the long run.

 

[djfriesen]

I would agree with the choice of the BeerFest. Equipment is very personal, and if he's gonna be buying it anyway, you're better off letting him do it exactly as he wants it.

Personally, I would prefer the BeerFest tickets. That would be really fun, I think. And I would want Designing Great Beers. I don't own it, but have heard great things, and would really like to pick up a copy soon.

In the end, there are a ton of ways to get the AG setup going. But this BeerFest could be the chance of a lifetime. I'd jump on it in a heartbeat if it were me.

 

[Zamial]

I think that about sums it up...

 

[beergolf]

I think the beerfest would be a good choice. As your brewing advances the other equipment will come. The books mentioned already are good. I would add Brew Like a Monk if he likes Belgian brews.

You sound like a great wife. My wife is also very supportive of my hobby/ addiction.

 

[BigBlueDog]

Go with the BeerFest tickets. It sounds like you're not only supportive but also actively participating in the brewing activities, so you both may find the event inspirational.

Good book suggestions above, but you might also consider a subscription to Brew Your Own magazine or a membership to the American Homebrewers Association, if you don't have those in place already.

 

[bestswmbo]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to do the brewfest thing and the books. So, I think I'm going to leave Papazian behind and go with Designing Great Beers (and maybe something else... 'How to Brew'?). And I think some of you are right, he's going to enjoy standing in front of the fittings at Lowe's for an hour (seriously) and figure out how he wants to put it together.

 

[pjj2ba]

I've never made it to one of the Meet the Brewer nights at the Deli, as I have rehearsals on Wed. night. For the rest of you, a local bar (with 57 taps) has a series over the course of several weeks on Wed. nights where they feature a different brewery each week and a representative is on hand to talk about the beers and answer any questions. I think it would be fun to go, but alas, music is just as important as beer (did I really say that?)

Meet the Brewer at the Deli

When most people hear beer fest they think of a large event with a whole bunch of different breweries present.

My favorite books are Brew like a Monk and Extreme Brewing. While these books are geared towards some "specialized" styles, I find that both of these have EXCELLENT overviews of the brewing process. I don't brew many Belgians or extreme beers but I bought these books anyway and found them to be very useful resources for brewing more mainstream styles. I especially liked Extreme Brewing.

You can always get him a gift certificate from a homebrew store. I've been pleased with Maryland Homebrew Supply, and Country Wines (in Pittsburgh) and typically get quite fast delivery from both of them. Sometimes I'll order from Northern Brewer or Austin Homebrew supply.

 

[Irishwrench]

Another vote for beerfest. I also just celebrated a birthday and my wife planned an escape for the 2 of us to NYC, times square. Along the way we stopped at a brewery for a tasting. She bought me a growler and tshirt there as well. While in the city she reserved dinner at an Irish restaurant and took me to a brew pub that night. Extremely rememberable bday. All centered around craft beer. Loved it!

I also recently started brewing all grain. As stated before fabricating mash tuns, modifying brew kettles, etc. was equally enjoyable to the actual brewing, kegging, and tasting.

 

[Homercidal]

I suggest checking out Tasting Beer, or Radical Brewing by Randy Mosher. They are great reading, although not really a how-to or reference book. They are enjoyable and can open your mind about recipes and enjoying beer to it's fullest. Best after fulfilling your basic instruction though.

 

[bestswmbo]

I've never made it to one of the Meet the Brewer nights at the Deli, as I have rehearsals on Wed. night. For the rest of you, a local bar (with 57 taps) has a series over the course of several weeks on Wed. nights where they feature a different brewery each week and a representative is on hand to talk about the beers and answer any questions. I think it would be fun to go, but alas, music is just as important as beer (did I really say that?)

Meet the Brewer at the Deli

When most people hear beer fest they think of a large event with a whole bunch of different breweries present.

My favorite books are Brew like a Monk and Extreme Brewing. While these books are geared towards some "specialized" styles, I find that both of these have EXCELLENT overviews of the brewing process. I don't brew many Belgians or extreme beers but I bought these books anyway and found them to be very useful resources for brewing more mainstream styles. I especially liked Extreme Brewing.

You can always get him a gift certificate from a homebrew store. I've been pleased with Maryland Homebrew Supply, and Country Wines (in Pittsburgh) and typically get quite fast delivery from both of them. Sometimes I'll order from Northern Brewer or Austin Homebrew supply.

Hey, fellow State College-r, yes, we're going to MTB. Wasn't sure what to call it in a succinct way. I'm excited about it. Thanks for the book recs!

My friend and his wife use Homebrew4less.com/the LHBS associated with the website in Chambersburg, both online and in person. He recommends it.