Week 10 at Beers in Sacramento

Week 10 of my journey to become a BJCP certified judge is up at Beers in Sacramento.  This week's focus was on the feed back that I good judge will give the the brewer on a score sheet.  These recipe adjustments are often a main reason that brewers enter competitions.

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Cheers! 

Hoppy Beerthday

Yesterday, 11/1/14, was the American Homebrewers Association's Learn to Homebrew Day.  It was also my 2nd beerthday (I brewed my first batch on Learn to Homebrew Day).  I met up with a few UnderGroundBrewSquad (my homebrew club) members and had a day of demonstration brewing at BFD.  We brewed 36 gallons as a club and had many local people stop by the shop to learn a bit and enjoy a brew or two.  I brewed the trial run of Holy MALTrimony, an Imperial IPA that I will ferment with Belgian Strong Ale yeast.  I plan to brew this beer multiple times to ensure that it is just right for the shindig celebrating the marriage of my good friends Janie and Nikki.

When I first started brewing, it was on a simple stove top set up.  At that point I was using extract, could only boil a little over 3 gallons, and had to top off (add water) to end up with 5 gallons of beer. My current set up is capable of producing 10 gallons (no need to top off) and I am using all-grain (no extract unless I want to).  The next step up in my set up will be kegging.  Check back in the future for a how-to post on turning a refrigerator into a kegerator.

My initial set up using a camp stove.
I still use the same assistant though.

My current set up at AHA Learn to Homebrew Day at BFD.

Photo credit: Calvin Crawford
Note the difference in light, I got started later than planned.

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Cheers!

Week 9 at Beers In Sacramento

The journey to my becoming a BJCP judge is in its 9th week at Beers In Sacramento.  This week I passed the entrance exam!

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Cheers!

Week 8 at Beers in Sacramento

Photo credit: The Wife

Week 8 of my journey to become a BJCP judge is up at Beers in Sacramento.  This week we discussed grain and its contributions to the beautiful beverage that we call beer.

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Cheers!

Tiny

William Edgar Fowler III was born on October 10, 1937 and passed almost three years ago.  He was a man of large stature both in size and of heart.  Friends of his called him Tiny and I called him Dad.  My love of music and food and drink most certainly come from being reared by this man.  In his honor, this October 10, 2014, I brewed a Wee Heavy (Strong Scotch Ale) that I have dubbed Tiny.  If you would care to try a Wee Heavy, I'd recommend AleSmith Wee Heavy.  I have seen it in bottles around the Sacramento area on occasion.  If you can't find that, another good option would be Belhaven Wee Heavy.  Here's to Tiny!

Cheers!

Tiny dressed as Santa, my sister and myself circa the late 80's

Week 7 at Beers in Sacramento

Week 7 of my journey is up.  This week's focus was on yeast's role in beer styles.  Travel yeastward with me over at Beers in Sacramento.

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Cheers!

Cafe Au Ale

Amanda Branahm of From House Parties to Housewife wrote up an article for Beers in Sacramento about the competition that I brewed Coffee Nap for.  She interviewed me and Deb of Rebel Confectionery & Jams.  Check out the article at the following: Cafe Au Ale


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Cheers!