OT: Beer Thread

[HannuJ]

Interesting, HannuJ. Will have to look that group up. We've been in a house for almost 16 years now, but never did hop back into wine brewing. Did manage to make a few back in Winnipeg that we actually didn't mind, so I'd like to try that again. On the beer side, ff space isn't an issue would you still recommend starting with BIAB, or should I just bite the bullet and go full into brewing?

idunno. i went all in from the getgo, so i'm the wrong guy to ask.
all in will cost around $350.
Coleman's cooler
copper pipes
taps for the cooler and your pots.
at least one solid 8 gallon pot. 2 are better.
a mill to grind your grains (optional. you can get them pre-milled, but then they go stale faster)
carboys
bottling equipment.

some guys make solid BIAB stuff and your initial investment's pretty low.

 

[HannuJ]

last night, i got the invite to G00se Island's industry night.
basically, free food and beer all night. which is great...except my alarm went off at 4:45 AM for a 12 hr day at work.
drank Juliette and Bourbon County Stout from 7 until midnight. 14% barrel-aged stout. i don't care that GI's owned by INBev. they still make some great beer.

 

[JordanRC]

Man, how did I miss this thread? Just the place for me to post more and lurk less.

I have to reiterate what was said about Minneapolis - it's not San Diego or Portland, but they have some great breweries doing some awesome stuff.

Will be heading out west to Vancouver near a couple of months from now - visit some local places and hunt for Nectarous (which is released periodically throughout the year now!), then down to Oregon (Portland is beer heaven) and to Tillamook to De Garde, my favorite brewery and sour beer heaven in the US. Will be hitting a Zwanze day somewhere while out west.

Then it's back home for a few days and down to Minneapolis for Darkness Day. So pumped!

Anyone else have plans to head down for Darkness Day?

 

[HannuJ]

Man, how did I miss this thread? Just the place for me to post more and lurk less.

I have to reiterate what was said about Minneapolis - it's not San Diego or Portland, but they have some great breweries doing some awesome stuff.

Will be heading out west to Vancouver near a couple of months from now - visit some local places and hunt for Nectarous (which is released periodically throughout the year now!), then down to Oregon (Portland is beer heaven) and to Tillamook to De Garde, my favorite brewery and sour beer heaven in the US. Will be hitting a Zwanze day somewhere while out west.

Then it's back home for a few days and down to Minneapolis for Darkness Day. So pumped!

Anyone else have plans to head down for Darkness Day?

i'm in calgary for zwanze day. i'd be sad but i'm in belgium in November, so think i'm ok.

De Garde is de-great. still love Cascade more, though.

 

[JordanRC]

i'm in calgary for zwanze day. i'd be sad but i'm in belgium in November, so think i'm ok.

De Garde is de-great. still love Cascade more, though.

I've had a decent share of both - More Cascade, as it's more readily available throughout the US. I'm definitely more of a De Garde guy, but they both make great stuff.

Where they vary hugely is price - De Garde has some great sour beer and wilds for awesome prices ($8.00-$15.00 USD), where Cascade beers are usually around the $30.00 USD mark.

That being said, I will definitely be hitting cascades barrel house again on my couple pf days in Portland.

 

[Ducky10]

Man, how did I miss this thread? Just the place for me to post more and lurk less.

I have to reiterate what was said about Minneapolis - it's not San Diego or Portland, but they have some great breweries doing some awesome stuff.

Will be heading out west to Vancouver near a couple of months from now - visit some local places and hunt for Nectarous (which is released periodically throughout the year now!), then down to Oregon (Portland is beer heaven) and to Tillamook to De Garde, my favorite brewery and sour beer heaven in the US. Will be hitting a Zwanze day somewhere while out west.

Then it's back home for a few days and down to Minneapolis for Darkness Day. So pumped!

Anyone else have plans to head down for Darkness Day?

Ugh, I'm going to miss it by about 2 weeks, I'm down there just prior. Surly is among my favourites, the new taproom is just outstanding.

Enjoy

 

[HannuJ]

I just saw (via FB) that one of my favourite beer, De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva, will be released this year. it was last released 5 years ago. It's aged in Bordeaux barrels for 2 years and is incredible.
hoping it will be around for my November brewery visit.

 

[SoCalJetsFan]

Man, how did I miss this thread? Just the place for me to post more and lurk less.

I have to reiterate what was said about Minneapolis - it's not San Diego or Portland, but they have some great breweries doing some awesome stuff.

Will be heading out west to Vancouver near a couple of months from now - visit some local places and hunt for Nectarous (which is released periodically throughout the year now!), then down to Oregon (Portland is beer heaven) and to Tillamook to De Garde, my favorite brewery and sour beer heaven in the US. Will be hitting a Zwanze day somewhere while out west.

Then it's back home for a few days and down to Minneapolis for Darkness Day. So pumped!

Anyone else have plans to head down for Darkness Day?

Funny you should mention this. I live just outside San Diego and my job takes me to Portland for a few weeks each year. As you say each of these cities is awash in micro's.

Overall I prefer Portland as they have more of what I like: red, brown and black ales.

Many San Diego brewery's have a love affair with IPA's (Green Flash and Stone make some insane IPA's) which I personally don't care for but that is beginning to change. Stone brewery has one of the best tours you can take, after completion of the tour you can get the usual samples but with a twist (as long as you stay at the counter they just keep giving you samples of everything and they have over 20 to choose from)

Fortunately my job also takes me to Holland and Belgium so I get to try lots of different Belgium ales.

Cheers!

 

[Duke749]

I thought I appreciated beer a little bit. Goodness gracious. I'm a cabbage patch beer fan in comparison. HFJets don't play when it comes to beer. Well done, folks.

No kidding! Amatuer over here too.

I like trying new beers all the time. Gotta Total Wine liquor store near me I can visit for craft brews and imported stuff. Has some awesome selections from all over the country. Not much selection as far as Canadian goes though. I also go to a place called Taco Mac for some decent eats and a massive selection in bottle or tap. Favorite was probably some called "Monday Night Drafty Kilt". Dark scotch ale I had on tap in Atlanta. So ****ing good and tons of flavor.

 

[JordanRC]

I just saw (via FB) that one of my favourite beer, De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva, will be released this year. it was last released 5 years ago. It's aged in Bordeaux barrels for 2 years and is incredible.
hoping it will be around for my November brewery visit.

I'd kill to try some Nacht Reserva. I'll definitely get to Belgium one day. Maybe the honeymoon... My girlfriend likes beer almost as much as I do.

Where do you live, Hannu?

 

[Daximus]

Awesome a HFJets beer thread!
I've been looking into brewing my own for awhile but haven't pulled the trigger yet so instead I'll share some local brews I enjoy from my side of the mountains.

Hell's Gate is a newish BC brew I got on a recent trip through Kelowna. All local, all natural, no chemicals, no preservatives, 28 day brew. They make a real crisp, somewhat foamy out of the can pilsner style premium lager. A hoppy malty amber ale and very smooth honey ale with a hint of caramel. Tried all 3 recently and have to say I really enjoy them.

When I get back from work tonight I'll share some more.

 

[allan5oh]

 

[MrBoJangelz71]

I do like Innes and Gunns, as someone stated the slight rum taste really gives it s nice smooth taste.

I am far from being a beer aficionado, have been laughed at over my love of budd light lime, but was out west a few months back and tried Tofino Brewing Co. Blonde Ale and found it quite tasty!

 

[HannuJ]

I'd kill to try some Nacht Reserva. I'll definitely get to Belgium one day. Maybe the honeymoon... My girlfriend likes beer almost as much as I do.

Where do you live, Hannu?

this November will be trip #5. i lived in west flanders last year and interned at my favourite brewery. pretty cool dream to live out.

i live in toronto.

 

[JordanRC]

this November will be trip #5. i lived in west flanders last year and interned at my favourite brewery. pretty cool dream to live out.

i live in toronto.

Sounds amazing. Which brewery if you don't mind me asking?

Do you normally go there mostly as a beercation? I'll need to pick your brain when I finally get over there, haha.

 

[HannuJ]

Hell's Gate is a newish BC brew I got on a recent trip through Kelowna. All local, all natural, no chemicals, no preservatives, 28 day brew. They make a real crisp, somewhat foamy out of the can pilsner style premium lager. A hoppy malty amber ale and very smooth honey ale with a hint of caramel. Tried all 3 recently and have to say I really enjoy them.

beer doesn't have preservatives in it. wine does.
well, hops are the preservative. but a beer that says "no chemicals, no preservatives" is just silly advertising gobblygook. just FYI

 

[Daximus]

beer doesn't have preservatives in it. wine does.
well, hops are the preservative. but a beer that says "no chemicals, no preservatives" is just silly advertising gobblygook. just FYI

Wouldn't technically any sulfate be considered a preservative? Something that is in virtually all major label beers? I believe most ingredients that speed up fermentation are also preservatives by nature. My girlfriend is alergic to many of them and can drink this beer so I don't know.

 

[HannuJ]

Sounds amazing. Which brewery if you don't mind me asking?

Do you normally go there mostly as a beercation? I'll need to pick your brain when I finally get over there, haha.

De Struise.
and i've been going since 2011. the people are lovely and it's easy to navigate.
if you need tips or an itinerary, let me know. just last night, my friend showed me his trip that he planned based on my itinerary. and you'll probably be seeing an article in the fall in the FreeP based on the itinerary i planned a certain wpg journalist.

 

[HannuJ]

Wouldn't technically any sulfate be considered a preservative? Something that is in virtually all major label beers? I believe most ingredients that speed up fermentation are also preservatives by nature. My girlfriend is alergic to many of them and can drink this beer so I don't know.

there's no real need to speed up fermentation. most macro non-lager beer will finish fermenting in 4-5 days.
you do get sulphur as an off scent from some yeast strains, but sulphur and sulphates are different.
i've never heard of that being added to a beer. to speed up fermentation, you add yeast nutrient and oxygen. that's about it.

wine uses sulphates to kill the yeast before bottling. beer with either heat pasteurize or leave a live beer in the bottle.

 

[HannuJ]

apologies for the multiple posts. swear i'll stop posting.

should also disclose (brag, i guess. hah) that i brew occasionally at a toronto brewery. my beer will be launched (not under my name. i really don't care) in the late fall to christmas.

brewed a barley wine that we're aging in a Sauternes barrel and my imperial stout that's being aged in scotch barrels. will be a VERY small run (400 bottles of each, max)

 

[JordanRC]

apologies for the multiple posts. swear i'll stop posting.

should also disclose (brag, i guess. hah) that i brew occasionally at a toronto brewery. my beer will be launched (not under my name. i really don't care) in the late fall to christmas.

brewed a barley wine that we're aging in a Sauternes barrel and my imperial stout that's being aged in scotch barrels. will be a VERY small run (400 bottles of each, max)

Don't stop posting. That's amazing! Those both sound awesome! Distributed through the LCBO, or a brewery only release?

I'd love to get my hands on them to try =P

 

[HannuJ]

Don't stop posting. That's amazing! Those both sound awesome! Distributed through the LCBO, or a brewery only release?

I'd love to get my hands on them to try =P

brewery only. if you're in toronto and want the info, send me a DM

 

[Daximus]

there's no real need to speed up fermentation. most macro non-lager beer will finish fermenting in 4-5 days.
you do get sulphur as an off scent from some yeast strains, but sulphur and sulphates are different.
i've never heard of that being added to a beer. to speed up fermentation, you add yeast nutrient and oxygen. that's about it.

wine uses sulphates to kill the yeast before bottling. beer with either heat pasteurize or leave a live beer in the bottle.

I asked her and she said it's sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfate that they think causes the allergy. Which apparantly occur naturally in many wine and beer making processes due to certain ingredients. She can't drink virtually anything made in the Columbia Brewery which is everything from Keiths to Labatts. Usually makes her dizzy and queezy after a sip. Any more and she usually vomits. It sucks but we've found a few beers and wines she can drink, most of them cliam preservative free on the label. Though some that do still claim such she still can't drink. We want to try and narrow it down even more. One of the reasons I want to start brewing my own. We can really experiment with the process and narrow it down to an exact ingredient or process maybe.

 

[wpgallday1960]

for those interested in Belgian beer and seeking them out, here are my faves:

Fantome saison
Fantome Hiver
Cantillon FouFoune
Cantillon BioLambic
Rodenbach Vintage (any year)
De Struise Black Albert
De Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva
De Dolle Oerbier
De Dolle Oerbier Reserva
De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva
de Dolle Evil Arabier
Tilquin Quetche
Tilquin Squared

Rochefort 10
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Cuvée Van De Keizer Blauw

maybe later on i'll post a picture of my beer cellar. around 300+ bottles

Love Belgian beers so goING to have to try some of those. For a treat a Westmalle is my favourite.

 

[Wolf357]

Love beer...
My top 5:
#1 Rothause-best in the world : lived in the black forest of Germany for year and this was the local beer...absolutely awesome.
#2 Guiness - Best Stout- simply good
#3 Moosehead- best generic Canadian beer
#4 Sam Adams- best American Beer
#5 Farmery- best local beer and also wins best Canadian Craft/small brewery...it's my summer of 2016 beer. I encourage all to try not only because it's locally grown,brewed, and bottled in Manitoba but also beacuse it's pretty darn good...