Wait...this isn't the AA registration page

[dirtytree]

F*ck it. Since I'm here I might as well admit that I'm trying to brew bier.

This post probably isn't worth reading I guess.

 

[dirtytree]

Well I've got nothing else going on, I might as well add some info.

I'm currently in San Diego and since I bought my house about a year ago, all these cool projects I've wanted to do for a while now are being cranked out, including homebrewing. My backyard has a giant pomegranate tree and I ended up with about 60 fruits last December when all was said and done. So, in an effort to make the goodness last, I made 7 gallons of wine. (Which should be ready to drink soon...)

More recently, I started a batch of Spiced Amber last Friday night. Bottled on Wednesday so hopefully next week will show us a decent tasting brew (fingers crossed). It's my first beer and hopefully not my last. I don't have any nice equipment or anything, just a couple of buckets and stove top pots right now. I'm an electronic engineer, so I'd like to put together a brewing cart with an on-board microcontroller to play around with.

I've been growing a garden since then and have done some experimentation with hydroponics (VERY interesting stuff actually!). I order 12 hop plant starters and will be planting them sometime this weekend in an attempt to experiment with fresh flavors and just for GP. I have:

- Galena (2)
- Hallertauer (2)
- Zeus (2)
- Cascade (2)
- Redvine (2)
- Ultra (2)

So, if they decide to grow here in San Diego, I hope to be learning and enjoying that experience. I've heard they're hard to kill than to grow (I'll drink to that).

I like heavy beers and although I haven't tried them all, I look forward to picking up more favorites.

I think that's it for now, thanks for reading!

 

[phidelt1499]

Welcome to the addiction!

What did you spice your amber with?

 

[dirtytree]

Spiced first with vanilla extract, nutmeg and cinnamon and the end of boil and once again after transfer into secondary. Just a basic holiday kind of thing to see what happens to it.

 

[ohnoitsthefuzz]

Hey man, I'd say welcome, but I just joined, so it'd be a little odd. I just started growing hops this summer too, it's a great hobby, and I'm interested to hear how they do in a hydroponic system. Be sure to keep us posted!

-Randy

 

[dirtytree]

Will do. Should be an interesting endeavor. I really need to find some literature and find out how the root structure grows, what pH they like and their nutrient particulars. Might be an exercise in failure, but at least I'll know first hand. There's not much you can't do with hydro...