Small Test Batches

[Bob]

Bob,
I read your message a few times in the last couple of months since I wrote my question. I greatly appreciate the feedback. {snip} My original question was directed towards a few beer styles that we wanted to really experiment with - grain & hop selection, yeast varieties, adjuncts, fermentation temperatures etc.

It's important to experiment, especially with a view toward recipe standardization and ingredient economy of scale. For example, I like to formulate 10-20bbl recipes by the sack or half-sack of grain. That way you don't (or seldom) end up with 17.65 lbs of, say, Chocolate Malt. I also recommend choosing one base malt and buying a LOT of it. It's waaaay less expensive in the long run, and you damn well can make excellent Tripel with US 2-row; there's no need to go buying small amounts of European Pilsner malt.

In fact, I enjoy seeing how many different styles I can get out of the smallest variety of ingredients. For example, you can brew more than a dozen different styles from US 2-row, 60L Crystal, Chocolate Malt and Wheat Malt. Depends on the proportions, the hops, and the yeast. Hell, I can get Tripel, American Blonde, Koelsch, and "Worldwide Lager" with US 2-row alone; depends on the hops, yeast and technique.

Anything more I can do to help, click the link in my sig.

Bob

 

[Monsterc]

While the whole country is wondering how to survive the slowdown I think that starting a brewing operation when you can not find hops is asking for failure. It's not a time to take chances. There are already failures in the brewing industry that already make good beer but they can not continue because they can not get the hops they need.

Now is actually the best time to start a new business.
It can only get better from here.

It's also the best time to expand a business cause your
advertising dollar goes way farther and there's less competition.
New and used equipment prices come down and contractors
bid way lower on projects because they need work!

 

[WBC]

OK I am a fool and will keep my money. Start your brewery. Good luck. I was not trying to pi$$ on anything.

 

[neldred]

Now is actually the best time to start a new business.
It can only get better from here.

2.5 years on and there have been a few startups in our area, but a lot of places have gone out of business (and only very recently after struggling since the downturn three years ago) .