Initializing

Thursday 11/06/2008 - Dave, Mike and I gathered at Mike's to view Mike's equipment (easy now, I mean his brew kit). Mike got one of those everything you need in one box breweries as a gift a few years back. It's the perfect starter for those of limited experience. Thankfully its a couple of steps above the entry level discount store kits you'll see on the bottom shelf next to the tins of caramel popcorn and nets of smelly soaps.

We checked off what was there and discussed other items that may be needed. Mike even pilfered a brand new large stock pot from Jennifer's kitchen inventory. He said she's good with that. We''ll see.

This was a meeting about brewing beer so I brought along a six pack and turned the boys on to some Turkish beer - Skol. You never know where you might find a new favorite brew. This one's not bad but It won't make my everyday list. My emergency brews are now depleted so I need to refresh my supply. I'll check out the brewing supplies at the mega mart while I'm shopping for replacements. It's all for the team.

The decision was made to go for three initial batches of approximately five gallons. Yes, this is very ambitious but what else do you have going on on lazy weeknights in the suburbs. Set your goals high. Mark each step of forward progress as an accomplishment. There are no losses, even one beer is a win but ... The brewing triumvirate has decided to try for the hat trick.

We each chose a recipe, these are easily available on the internet. Mike chose a Nut Brown Ale, Dave wants to go with a Lager and I picked a Kolsch, which is a German ale with lager characteristics, kind of a hybrid.

Dave began an ingredient list. One bag of crystal malt was in the kit and was also on Mike's list. The rest we'll need to purchase at the local brew supply store which just happens to be up the street. There were a couple of bags of pelletized hops in the kit also and they'll fit in with at least one of the recipes. Many of the malts and hops appeared on at least two lists so hopefully this means availability is good and price points will be a little more favorable. I'll get the list from Dave at some point, scan and post it.

Dave offered to do some shopping over the weekend. I need to track down an outdoor burner - Note: I need to talk to Robert about his turkey fryer. I've got an empty five gallon keg and I'll even pull one of my 3.75 gallon baby kegs out of my current rotation for the project. For those who may not know, I've got a kegerator in my basement and I keep draught beer flowing routinely. I've also got a case of twelve of the Grolsch style flip top bottles on loan from another brewing buddy to offer to the mix - Jim, I hope you don't mind me co-opting your bottles. I promise to repay in kind. And no letting them sit idle in your fridge. Drink the damn things, no matter what your wife says! - The rest of the bottles will come from current consumption of over the counter beers, we've got six empties from tonight. Everything needs to be sanitized.

We've also began to formulate names for these distinctive brews. These are still in the draft stages so they may evolve.

Dave - here's his quote "I would like to claim "doghouse beer" as that is what I usually end up in when I have irrational exuberance toward beer."

Mike - "As you know, I have my band, The Pope Lick Swills www.popelickswills.com ergo...I will brew Pope Lick Swill."

Bob - in keeping with the German styling of the beer works, I've chosen Das Schlagholz Gebrau which loosely translates to That Bat Beer.

We know there'll be bumps and bruises and false starts and other unknowns but we're well on our way.