Kegged up a English Bitter I've been waiting on.

I assume, since you are sterilizing everything, you don't need to refrigerate the wort?Finishing up pressure canning 7.5 gallons of 1.036 wort for starters. Should keep me going for a while...
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Yes, that’s right. Once the mason jars cool and vacuum seal, I put them in a plastic storage bin next to my malt. I dip them in StarSan right before I use them to sanitize the lid before opening.I assume, since you are sterilizing everything, you don't need to refrigerate the wort?
Do you think some of it is shyness about joining? I embody imposter syndrome with some of my hobbies (including painting and homebrewing) and would feel intimidated about joining a local homebrewing group for fear I was too "amateurish" and not knowledgeable enough to contribute, or that I would look like an idiot when pressed to explain recipes or processes I'm not confident in explaining.Our meetings average 8-12 people depending; don't think we've hit 30 as long as I've been in the club. I'm the new president, so increasing participation has crossed my mind, and I try to "recruit" homebrewers I meet in the wild, and have a sign up at the brewery where we hold our meetings. But I think I like the level we're at. Keeps it where everyone feels they can participate and aren't just going to a beer class or something.
Somewhat, I know that was the case for me before I joined this club. Also I think another factor is people are very busy, and may view coming to the meetings as more of a chore. I mean, you can always brew without trekking to the meetings. But our newsletter goes out to 240 people and the attendance is how I described it earlier, so my immediate thought was how do I get more people there? But now I'm more interested in having quality meetings and events to make it worthwhile for the people that do show up, rather than just increasing attendance for the heck of it.Do you think some of it is shyness about joining? I embody imposter syndrome with some of my hobbies (including painting and homebrewing) and would feel intimidated about joining a local homebrewing group for fear I was too "amateurish" and not knowledgeable enough to contribute, or that I would look like an idiot when pressed to explain recipes or processes I'm not confident in explaining.
We just started a happy hour for local artists where I live and we are keeping it purposely small for the moment to dial in a stronger sense of participation and engagement, so I completely understand. We do want to expand it (we are trying to cultivate community!) but too many participants may also water down the experience. Good luck with it!Somewhat, I know that was the case for me before I joined this club. Also I think another factor is people are very busy, and may view coming to the meetings as more of a chore. I mean, you can always brew without trekking to the meetings. But our newsletter goes out to 240 people and the attendance is how I described it earlier, so my immediate thought was how do I get more people there? But now I'm more interested in having quality meetings and events to make it worthwhile for the people that do show up, rather than just increasing attendance for the heck of it.
Having fun things to do is helpful… pub crawls, group brew days etc. Of course I do realize that the events the past couple years have limited those opportunities.Our meetings average 8-12 people depending; don't think we've hit 30 as long as I've been in the club. I'm the new president, so increasing participation has crossed my mind, and I try to "recruit" homebrewers I meet in the wild, and have a sign up at the brewery where we hold our meetings. But I think I like the level we're at. Keeps it where everyone feels they can participate and aren't just going to a beer class or something.
Yeah definitely a light couple years. I've sort of stumbled into activities though, so no shortage this year! We have a big brew day planned at our host brewery, going to have a virtual talk with a rep from omega yeast, potentially another talk from yakima Valley hops, as well as standing offers from a local cider maker, and another local brewer who literally brews at a farm brewery.Having fun things to do is helpful… pub crawls, group brew days etc. Of course I do realize that the events the past couple years have limited those opportunities.
I joined a local club, because I wanted to learn more, and the first meeting that I had attended to check them out, they had a discussion about malt. We chewed some kernels and sipped some malt tea, and I felt welcomed even though I didn’t have a lot of brewing experience at the time. The feedback about the beer I had shared was honest and helpful too. Hey this is good you should enter it into a competition… Funny thing is, I had entered it in a very first competition and later learned that I got a third place ribbon, which for me at the time, had me on cloud nine. It also showed that people in the club were giving objective feedback, and not just being nice to the new member.Do you think some of it is shyness about joining? I embody imposter syndrome with some of my hobbies (including painting and homebrewing) and would feel intimidated about joining a local homebrewing group for fear I was too "amateurish" and not knowledgeable enough to contribute, or that I would look like an idiot when pressed to explain recipes or processes I'm not confident in explaining.
There are a few clubs around me that I've thought about joining; for me it's getting off my kiester and making the effort to get there once every two weeks. And I'm kinda shy in social situations, to the point that even at 54 years old I don't like walking into a taproom/bar/tavern by myself. Husband has been nagging me for a couple of years to join a club, maybe this year will be the year.I joined a local club, because I wanted to learn more, and the first meeting that I had attended to check them out, they had a discussion about malt. We chewed some kernels and sipped some malt tea, and I felt welcomed even though I didn’t have a lot of brewing experience at the time. The feedback about the beer I had shared was honest and helpful too. Hey this is good you should enter it into a competition… Funny thing is, I had entered it in a very first competition and later learned that I got a third place ribbon, which for me at the time, had me on cloud nine. It also showed that people in the club were giving objective feedback, and not just being nice to the new member.
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Wow that’s a really active club schedule the LI clubs meet once a month. You can be shy, and act outgoing, as long as it isn’t too uncomfortable. One thing is for sure, you are an excellent brewer!There are a few clubs around me that I've thought about joining; for me it's getting off my kiester and making the effort to get there once every two weeks. And I'm kinda shy in social situations, to the point that even at 54 years old I don't like walking into a taproom/bar/tavern by myself. Husband has been nagging me for a couple of years to join a club, maybe this year will be the year.
Finally managed to get my butt moving and cleaned out the garage.
Opened the fermentation fridge door and got flooded with a beautiful centennial hop aroma. Double IPA is not far from final gravity can't wait!
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