Homebrewers,
Thanks for all of the compliments, ideas, and suggestions. The next time we embark on
this type of adventure, it will go flawlessly. OK, not flawlessly but we are going to put
the lessons we learned to good use. I honestly had no comprehension of the volume of hot
water needed to brew 160 gallons of beer. I figured my system and the big ones out there
were very capable of heating etc. What I realized is we actually had all of the hot water
we would ever need if we had simply saved (and had storage for) the cooling water from the
counterflow chiller. The outlet runs 120-130°F so it would only need a small bump up to
the next interval.
If a Grandpa could take more time where it is important it would be to assign brewing
tasks and formulate brewing groups or teams well in advance of the event. I need the
assistance of a great organizer. This will allow me to be more social and training and
less of a run around and put out fire guy. I also need a more accurate scale for those 80
pound grain bills.
I hope the recipe selection was appropriate for this time of year. I know there is a
large group of hop fans out there balanced by others with the likings for wheat beer. The
recipes were not the AHA suggestions and I take full responsibility for this. The wheat
was developed over time using suggestions from club tastings and contest results. Both
Pale Ale recipes were pulled from the last edition of Brew Magazine. Both pale ales
feature hops and use primarily base malt.
One of my next tasks is to report the gallons brewed to the AHA. I previously registered
the site but someone told they couldn't find it. Imagine that, someone not being
able to find something on the internet!!!
I would really like to ask the group to send supreme thanks to Jim Imbertson for hauling
his new system over and doing the first brew under the watchful eyes of the public.
Thanks to the many folks that helped me put out the chicken fires, haul buckets of swill
to the compost maker, haul out the grist, and take care of the neighbors.
One last thank you is needed for providing the answer to the burning question. Yes folks,
it takes 30 homebrewers to put up a tent in a rainstorm.
See you next meeting.
Rick Oftel
MHBA
________________________________
From: mba-bounce(a)thebarn.com [mailto:mba-bounce@thebarn.com] On Behalf Of Wilbur Ince
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 10:18 AM
To: mba(a)thebarn.com
Subject: Big Brew Followup
Rick,
Thanks for all the fun, I really appreciated assisting on Saturday. It always helps me to
see how other people brew for tips on making my system more functional.
Can you send out a quick summary of the recipes we used? I am working on an IPA series
and want to see how compare this to the other IPA's I am brewing.
For everyone who was there and wants to attend next year,
Think about next year and how you could help to make it a better event. Maybe we can
appoint positions for each batch and split up some of the responsibilities. We needed
more HEAT and WATER, so maybe we can also make a call for people to bring burners and
filter systems.
(I'm not setting you up for next year Rick, we will have to deal with the same stuff
where ever we brew if we are running 2 batches each on 2 - 40 gallon systems. That said,
it was great fun to brew with your super cool demeanor, and I would love to brew with you
again!)
THANKS AGAIN RICK AND DAWN!
Wilbur
Ass. Big Brewer
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