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

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From: mba-bounce@thebarn.com [mailto:mba-bounce@thebarn.com] On Behalf Of Wilbur Ince
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 10:18 AM
To: mba@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