Soon

I'll be brewing another batch in the next week or two. School has been crazy.

Sunday was Brew Day

Sunday, was a day of brewing. It was also the day that I embarked on my initial all grain brewing experience. With the help of my friends Wes and Nick, we managed to successfully brew 5 gallons of Red Ale from all grain and 5 gallons of Red Ale from a Brewer's Best kit. The extract kit was Nick's. He's just learning to brew.

Below are some images from the brew day.

These are the grains prior to the mash.

Coolers converted into a mash tun with false bottom and a lautering tank.

Wes's new brew kettle.

The boil.

Bread made with the spent grains. Mmm mm

Hard Day's Night

Tonight, Wes stopped by to help bottle 5 gallons of lager,and 5 gallons of pumpkin ale.
We ran out of our handy flip top bottles and had to rely on an odd stock of crown cap bottles that I've collected over the past few months.
It was not pretty but we got 10 gallons of beer in bottles. I still have another 5 gallons lager to get into bottles soon. I'm debating if I should put it into a cornelious keg. The only things keeping me from doing this sooner rather than later is the fact that I need to refill my CO2 bottle and I do not have a kegerator yet.

Still working on scheduling the wine bottle cleaning party. But with this being the first week back from my honeymoon, I don't think I'm doing too bad.

September

September was very busy for me. I'll be posting some images of my new all grain brewing setup. I'll also have some photos from the Maryland Wine Festival that I had a chance to enjoy on September 18th.
This month has seen the creation of two lagers and a pumpkin ale in preparation for the holidays. (Photos to follow).
I'll be getting married in 10 days time and will be away for a bit but afterwards I will be hosting a wine bottle recycling and refilling party at home. I'll be gathering my friends to remove labels, clean, sanitize and refill wine bottles. Of course we supply food and drink and send the folks home with a little something for their efforts.

Updated post to come shortly.

Hops

Had to harvest my cascade hops before the hurricane hit. They are drying now. Not a great harvest but it is only year one for these plants.

Strawberries

I got a great deal on some strawberries today.
I sliced them up and into the dehydrator they went.
Not enough to make wine with. Going to have to bottle the wines I have bulk aging soon. That means a lot of cleaning and de-labeling of bottles. I will need those empty carboys come harvest time. Very excited for harvest this year as I have some friends that are getting into the hobby.

Hops

The hops vines that my friends Julie and Mike sent to me are growing well. 4 out of 5 made it right away. I think the 5th vine may be starting to come back after all.
 Can't wait for fresh hops this year.

 Kat bought me a grain mill for my birthday. I was very happy. Now just to order some barley and malt it.