Pinnacle of my Homebrewing experience (part II):

[dougdecinces]

See the following threads:
Pinnacle of my Homebrewing experience!!
Beer Tasting Booth - Need Advice

I wanted to let everyone know that the event was a resounding success. I ended up serving up 3.5 gallons of my Goat Holler Brown in 2 oz amounts in a little over 4 hours. Probably 200-250 thirsty people tried my beer, which is an absolutely amazing experience.

I did go hoarse from talking pretty much nonstop. But my SWMBO, the awesome gal she is, stepped in midway through and having heard me describe my beer and my brewing process dozens of times, stepped in and was able to repeat my spiel almost word for word.

I already knew I was offering a great product, but knowing that yourself and having 200+ people tell you to your face is an entirely different animal altogether. In the end, I stood toe to toe with three established local breweries and, if crowd size and customer reaction are to be trusted, came out on top. I've even been invited to a few other festivals in Madison next year. Even though I'm still not sure whether I want to become a commercial brewer and even though that dream, if it happens, would be years on the horizon, hearing fifty-odd people ask, "where can I buy this?" is going to put a hop in your step. I was even told by one of the festival operators that there was a restaurant down the street that served local beer and that I should contact them. And that is why I'm drinking a milk stout I made back in April that is cloyingly sweet and fermented too hot to remind myself I still have a ways to go.

Some of my favorite quotes from the evening:

"Wow."
"Where can I buy this?" (already mentioned)
"Someone outside said I had to come in and try your beer."
"I just wanted to tell you that yours was the best." (I heard that one at least 15 times.)
Lastly, this isn't a quote, but when I told a patron he could taste the grains (see below) to have a better idea of what they contribute to the final product, he took it upon himself to grab a Palisade hop pellet and take a bite out of that.

 

[dougdecinces]

Here are some pictures from the event:

Me serving to a small crowd (and that was before the event even started).

That man was a fellow homebrewer. I printed up recipes of my Goat Holler Brown so that homebrewers (and potential homebrewers) could make it themselves.

I was really trying to attack this from the point of view of a homebrewer not only trying to get others in to the hobby, but by also demystifying the brewing process. This is why I set out all seven ingredients in my beer so the patrons could have a better idea of what makes beer.

This was a prop bottle that I brought for decoration. SWMBO did a hell of a job with label design.

 

[CoalCreekBeer]

Congratulations!

I can only hope to aspire to get where you are with your beer, with my beer.
You got me thinking, now just have to figure it out with local laws and such, oh and a lot more experience on my end.

 

[slykwilli]

Great job! Wish I could have been there to try it myself!

 

[unionrdr]

Def a success for you & your brew! Great thing how your wife jumped in & helped you out. Now that's team work. Maybe you should check into that place that serves local brews. See what they say,anyway. Might be a way to open doors?...

 

[AMISHE]

Awesome job, Doug. I just started homebrewing this month and this is very inspirational.

 

[asidrane]

That's awesome man. Could you provide us with your Goat Holler Brown recipe? I've been thinking of making a brown for some time now.

 

[SenorPepe]

I really like the idea of demystifying the process for the people you are pouring for.

 

[dougdecinces]

That's awesome man. Could you provide us with your Goat Holler Brown recipe? I've been thinking of making a brown for some time now.

I just posted the recipe. I've received such overwhelmingly positive response on this beer, I figured this would be a good first recipe to post.

 

[Phunhog]

That's awesome!! Good job!! I tell you there is nothing better than when random strangers tell you how good your beer is! Nice Figueroa Mtn shirt BTW....

 

[funkstrman]

Great job man, that must have been quite the experience! Keep it up!

 

[dougdecinces]

That's awesome!! Good job!! I tell you there is nothing better than when random strangers tell you how good your beer is! Nice Figueroa Mtn shirt BTW....

Thank you. I'm originally from Orcutt. I went back to visit this Summer and had a chance to check out the brewery. I was impressed. SWMBO and I liked the decor and atmosphere and I really liked the IPA.