Over the next few years, I’d hope to take you inside my learning curve as it pertains to life; specifically as it comes with photography, brewing beer and cooking.
I started talking about brewing beer as a lark, talking to my Dad one day about how cool it would be to take the barley, hops and water and make beer. For Christmas, he bought me a two hundred dollar gift certificate to The Brew Keeper, a local brew-on-premises joint that promises 10 gallons of tasty ambrosia nectar.
I was racked with indecision on what to make for nearly nine months before I decided on a California Common or “Steam Beer”. The process was absolutely enjoyable, and I knew that I had to do it myself, someday, some way. I’d received an old turkey fryer from my father, and after careful research I realized that I wouldn’t need all that much more to brew my first batch of beer.
In April of 2009, I brewed my first true homebrew, a Honey Ale Extract which was a bit hoppy and malty at the same time, with just a touch of sugary honey. It was an instant hit, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I was brewing like the big boys. Two months ago, I switched to All Grain, and I haven’t looked back.
There’s one thing I haven’t done yet — I haven’t made beer. Sure, I make great wort — it’s sweet and colorful and I’d drink it without the fermentation — but, I’ve never added yeast to wort to create the wonderous elixir of which I crave.
I like that.
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