17 replies to this topic

[SchwanzBrewer]

I updated my brew schedule for competitions and it looks like I will brew over 30 batches this year (33 if I brew all the ones I want). I brewed 9 my first year, 15 my second, and 20 my third.My palate has expanded dramatically, my tasting abilities have increased with regards to discerning flavors and flaws, I can look at a style or get a flavor profile in my mind and brew something to capture it now. It's a great feeling. I am far from perfect with my process and abilities, but I think my knowledge and experience have brought me to a new level. I felt like I was plateauing early this year, but joining the competition group for my LHBC back in April has made me look at my beer scientifically and objectively. It has really caused all of us to push each others limits and focus our abilities. It's an great feeling to know all this hard work is paying off.Cheers,Rich

[MtnBrewer]

Very nice Rich! I don't think there's any way I could brew 30 in a year. I don't know where I'd put them. But it's great that you've been continuing to learn and reach for new levels to find out how good you can be. That's one of the best parts of the hobby.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Very nice Rich! I don't think there's any way I could brew 30 in a year. I don't know where I'd put them. But it's great that you've been continuing to learn and reach for new levels to find out how good you can be. That's one of the best parts of the hobby.

9 batches were for charity events. 4 for the keys trip, of the 19 so far 5 left were for competition and 1 for the great pumpkin cask. Only 3 of the 11 batches I want to brew the rest of the year are going to be strictly for my own consumption, the rest are going to competition or parties.The funny thing is, I drink about 10% of it. I'm making the world a better place 1 beer at a time.

[SchwanzBrewer]

heck, I bet I drink as much commercial craft beer as I do my own. For research purposes you know.

[MtnBrewer]

9 batches were for charity events. 4 for the keys trip, of the 19 so far 5 left were for competition and 1 for the great pumpkin cask. Only 3 of the 11 batches I want to brew the rest of the year are going to be strictly for my own consumption, the rest are going to competition or parties.The funny thing is, I drink about 10% of it. I'm making the world a better place 1 beer at a time.

Even if I was giving it all away, I don't think I'd have fridge room to ferment and age that much beer. My freezer is full right now with about 7 kegs and I have one on deck in another fridge. Fortunately I just blew two kegs back-to-back in my kegerator so that will free up some space.I do try to give as much away as possible though. I brought a couple of gallons for a post-season party for our softball team. Anytime there's a get together, everybody knows I'll bring a couple of growlers. And I try to bring a growler or two to beer club meetings.

heck, I bet I drink as much commercial craft beer as I do my own. For research purposes you know.

My commercial beer intake has gone way down over the last few months as my brewing binge from the spring started to pay off.

[BlKtRe]

9 batches were for charity events. 4 for the keys trip, of the 19 so far 5 left were for competition and 1 for the great pumpkin cask. Only 3 of the 11 batches I want to brew the rest of the year are going to be strictly for my own consumption, the rest are going to competition or parties.The funny thing is, I drink about 10% of it. I'm making the world a better place 1 beer at a time.

Those catch up with you dont they? Charity and other events is where most my beer goes.

Edited by BlKtRe, 21 August 2012 - 03:42 PM.

[MtnBrewer]

I just need to be more charitable!

[Jdtirado]

Congrats Schwanzie. I don't think that I will ever be the prolific in terms of volume. Still, I have something to shoot for.

[djinkc]

I, I can look at a style or get a flavor profile in my mind and brew something to capture it now. ................It's an great feeling to know all this hard work is paying off.Cheers,Rich

Cheers back at you. It is a nice feeling. I don't always hit the bullseye but usually at least hit the dartboard. It's a great hobby. Congrats!BTW, 25 YTD but i'm not a charitable as you are. When the kids grow up and leave there is a lot more brewing time.......

[SchwanzBrewer]

No kids yet, none in the near 2-3 year future either. That helps I'm sure. I was lucky. I have 2 fridges that I got for free and two double door commercial fridges that I got uber cheap. I only have one plugged in right now, but the other one is gonna get tapped in a month or so. My biggest concern right now is that I need 6 more kegs or I need to move some beer faster. The pumpkin spice ale will be a turn and burn, but the rest is gonna be longer term.Can you believe I don't have a proper kegerator? That is next on my agenda.Cheers,Rich

[ncbeerbrewer]

Nice job Rich!! Sounds like this hobby is really becoming an obsession. I know how that goes too back in 2008 after 10 years of extract brewing I went all grain and I know I brewed almost 3 of every 4 weekends a month for most of 2008 and 2009. It was glorious and reminds me I need to get back to heavy brewing again...it is way too fun!!

[gnef]

well done! I brewed a lot over the summer, but still not nearly as many batches as you. Are you 5 gallons or 10 gallons now?

[SchwanzBrewer]

well done! I brewed a lot over the summer, but still not nearly as many batches as you. Are you 5 gallons or 10 gallons now?

I can brew 10 gal. I may or may not have brewed all those batches to my full capacity.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Brewing the Bear and the Maiden Fair this weekend. Batch 26. I have 10 more scheduled this year and I might just go for 40!

[Big Nake]

The more you brew and the more you research things and expand your thinking, the more tools you put in your toolbox. It's fun to drink a commercial beer and try to envision how they made it. It's even more fun to get to the point where you can formulate a recipe and at least make a beer that's in the spirit of the original. When you keep using new grains, hops and yeast and keep looking at some of the fine tuning of brewing like water composition, mash pH, etc., you really start to bring your beers up a couple notches. God knows I sweat the small stuff because I always feel that there is something I'm missing or something else I can learn. I'll always be a student of this great hobby! Cheers!Ps. The boards are responsible for a lot of our successes.

[djinkc]

Brewing the Bear and the Maiden Fair this weekend. Batch 26. I have 10 more scheduled this year and I might just go for 40!

Brew baby, Brew!

[SchwanzBrewer]

The more you brew and the more you research things and expand your thinking, the more tools you put in your toolbox. It's fun to drink a commercial beer and try to envision how they made it. It's even more fun to get to the point where you can formulate a recipe and at least make a beer that's in the spirit of the original. When you keep using new grains, hops and yeast and keep looking at some of the fine tuning of brewing like water composition, mash pH, etc., you really start to bring your beers up a couple notches. God knows I sweat the small stuff because I always feel that there is something I'm missing or something else I can learn. I'll always be a student of this great hobby! Cheers!Ps. The boards are responsible for a lot of our successes.

It wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for this board. Also towards the end of last year I felt as if I had plateaued. Since joining the competition team back in April I feel like I have made strides and my good beers are turning into great beers. My knowledge has been growing by leaps and bounds. I make it a point to read my brewing books every week and incorporate the good stuff on the weekend. Now, if I can sustain this going into next year that would be something. I want to make NHC my bitch.

[BarelyBrews]

Congrats ! I made 33 one year, im at 17 YTD. My quantity has dropped but the quality has improved since 2006. And yes i too learned a lot from good boards like this one. We have a lot of good brewers here.