Messages

1

The Pub / Re: Naming a beer Isn't that easy

« on: June 18, 2013, 05:33:46 pm »

What I learned it is actual USE of a name that offers protection (along with trademark and business license stuff.  But no one can just register a name, not use it, and hold onto the rights. 

(at least in my state)

Yep.  In the U.S., it's not registration of a trademark that necessarily gives you protection.  Rather, it's the actual use of the mark in commerce that gives rise to trademark protection.  Prior use of an unregistered mark may give rise to a claim against the registrant under state law, but only if the registrant is using the registered mark in the same state as that of the claimant (i.e., they are being used in the same market).

2

Beer Travel / Re: Minneapolis?

« on: June 16, 2013, 07:39:16 am »

It's hard not to find great locally brewed beer in and around Minneapolis.  We're sort of a big deal right now in the craft beer scene.   

My favorite breweries/beer bars:
Surly
Indeed
Summit
Republic
Happy Gnome (St. Paul)
Town Hall (7-Corners location is great, but the Town Hall Tap at 48th & Chicago is also awesome)

Also, if you're around the 50th & France area in Edina, you should check our Cocina del Barrio if you like Mexican food.  My friend Bill is the head chef there.  Not only do they have great food, but Bill makes sure that they are always pouring great local beer.  If you're looking for a fantastic burger, check out Red Cow, which is not far from Barrio.  I ate there last night and it was one of the best burgers I've ever had!  Red Cow also has a great local beer selection.

3

Beer Recipes / Re: Galaxy and Cascade APA

« on: June 16, 2013, 07:30:52 am »

I use the Galaxy/Cascade combo as the aroma addition to my steam beer.  Love it -- definitely a winning combination! 

Incidentally, your recipe is very close to Tallgrass 8-Bit Pale Ale, which uses the Galaxy/Cascade combo.  If you can get it in your area, you might want to check it out to get an impression of Galaxy's aromatics, which are very prevalent in 8-bit's nose.

4

Going Pro / Re: This explains it all

« on: June 13, 2013, 06:14:29 am »

If only the narrator could talk a little bit faster.

Ha!

Nice video and nice analogy.

5

Going Pro / Re: First Pro Competition

« on: June 13, 2013, 06:08:26 am »

Good luck, man!

6

Going Pro / Can filler and seamer

« on: May 30, 2013, 06:19:55 am »

Very cool, Leos! Did WGE do the on-site setup/training?

7

All Things Food / Re: Ethnic and Regional Cooking

« on: May 16, 2013, 05:03:10 pm »

A good thread should not die!

I was out mowing the grass about a week ago and disturbed a turtle crawling around the garden fence. I normally just rehome the bigger turtles that i find or my son catches on his rod and reel to the bayou by my office... but this one was not as lucky.



Stewed turtle with onions, garlic, and potatoes with a side of small brussel sprouts - all from the garden. Dessert was fresh picked wild blackberries with sweet bread and good ole vanilla Blue Bell ice cream.

All washed down with a homebrewed porter.

I love how resourceful this meal was!  Looks very tasty!  I wish I had the balls to stew a turtle that I just found lurking around my yard.

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Goose Island beer

« on: May 16, 2013, 04:56:38 pm »

This is a little off-topic, but a couple of former brewers for Goose Island are starting their own 40-bbl brewery in Geneva, IL, shortly.  http://www.penrosebrewing.com/

I've heard that they are bringing a few other Goose Island employees with them.

I think there's been a bit of a diaspora since the ownership change, though I think to some degree there were always people leaking out to other local breweries.  This is good for the local craft beer scene. I'm not sure if the rate has increased, but I bet it has.

I think you're right about GI employees fanning out to other breweries.  Besides Tom and Eric who are starting Penrose, I met a former GI sales rep who now works for Summit last month who said that GI lost approximately 40% of its workforce (voluntarily migration) after AB In-Bev took over.

I have no opinion on GI beer since the AB In-Bev purchase because I really haven't had too much GI beer, even before the buyout.  But I can tell you that when I met Tom and Eric at this year's Craft Brewer's Conference, they were super cool guys and I am genuinely excited about their brewery.  I have relatives in Geneva and I'll be making a trip there once Penrose opens its doors.

9

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Goose Island beer

« on: May 15, 2013, 09:00:36 am »

This is a little off-topic, but a couple of former brewers for Goose Island are starting their own 40-bbl brewery in Geneva, IL, shortly.  http://www.penrosebrewing.com/

I've heard that they are bringing a few other Goose Island employees with them. 

10

Beer Recipes / Re: APA w/Galaxy and ?

« on: May 13, 2013, 08:07:50 pm »

i've not tried it personally, but I've read Nelson is a nice match to Galaxy 50:50.

I've brewed a steam beer with Nelson and Galaxy that was really excellent.  Recently, I've been doing a blend of NB and Citra for flavor and Galaxy and Cascade for aroma, which has also been a winning combo.

11

Going Pro / Re: Fermentation Temperature Control

« on: May 13, 2013, 08:00:14 pm »

I highly recommend a coolbot to keep the air conditioner working well
http://www.amazon.com/CoolBot-Walk-In-Cooler-Controller-conditioner/dp/B003VSLTAI

Tom, that is a way cool device, pun intended. Never seen this gadget before.

Very cool, indeed.  I've considered getting a coolbot to make a lagering room in my basement.  Right now, I've got a nice little mini fridge "lagerator," but I'd like to have the freedom to ferment multiple lagers at the same time.

12

Going Pro / Re: Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery (2nd Edition)

« on: May 10, 2013, 08:27:26 am »

Here's the book the guys on probrewer.com rave about, and it's only $20: http://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-hennessy/brewery-operations-manual/paperback/product-20402206.html

Thanks for that link!  Just ordered.

13

Going Pro / Re: Cleaning chemicals

« on: May 09, 2013, 09:29:44 am »

I have been using Birko Cell-R-Master to clean my stainless kettles, kegs, and glass carboys for the past year and love it way more than PBW.  A few of my brew club members piggybacked on a bulk order with one of our breweries who uses a lot of their products.  I haven't tried any of their other products.

BIRKO products are what we will be using in our brewery.  I met the owner at the CBC a few months ago.  Nice guy -- seems like a good company.

14

Going Pro / Re: Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery (2nd Edition)

« on: May 04, 2013, 09:16:35 am »

I have the previous edition, which I found to be pretty helpful during my initial exploration into starting a brewery.  My only complaint with the previous version is that it's a bit dated.  I'm hoping the new version will have a lot of updated info.  No reason it shouldn't, as the BA has a ton of useful survey data that they publish annually.

15

The Pub / Re: Sam Adams Cans

« on: May 03, 2013, 01:11:26 pm »

The link doesn't appear to be working for me, but it could be the firewall at my office that's responsible.  Anyway, are people really railing against canned craft beer?  It's not really new anymore.  Oskar Blues has been doing it for almost two decades, and roughly 20% of craft beer is canned these days.  It's a superior package in many ways, and from a design perspective, there's a lot you can do with a can that you can't do with a bottle.  Personally, I applaud Sam Adams for taking the plunge!