Beer
"Fermentation may have been a greater discovery than fire."
-David Rains Wallace
I've been learning how to brew beer for the last few years. I've just started getting consistent results and exploring
different recipe styles and regional flavors. For others interested in the hobby, which is a lot like cooking, I would
recommend visiting: The Brewers association for serious information. And for entertaining,
and potentially offensive information, The Brewing Network. As a slightly
related topic, I would recommend exploring the Slow Food movement.
My current setup
Like any other hobby, you can buy tools. Tools in some cases (woodworking) can somehow become more of the hobby than actually using the tools. In any case, my current setup and background. To non-brewers, this may not make too much sense.- Mashing - All grain, batch sparging
- A brew sculpture built using Superstrut. Not the cheapest way to go and should have used the opportunity to buy a welder and learn to weld.
- Nice 10 gallon stainless kettle with valve
- Traditional round cooler with a pot splatter cover with handle cut off at the bottom (fit perfectly) to act as a grain wort separator
- 2 Mars pumps and a plate exchanger for cool down.
- Fermentation - A freezer with a temperature controler. I can make lagers and any other beer yeer round.
- Serving - Freezer converted with temperature controler and a bit of wood work. See pictures below.
Serving
I built this beer tap set up in 2007 and upgraded it to 4 taps in 2008. I current have five soda kegs and a 20lb CO2 cansister (I've yet to actually had to refill it). I also recently picked up a mini CO2 charger and mini taps so I can take a keg or two to family or friend gatherings.
