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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
75 bucks!! And that's the member's price! I have a lot of brewing books and I don't think I have ever paid over 25 dollars. I wonder why it's so expensive? I can't imagine any more research went to that vs. Daniel's excellent "Designing Great Beers".
Don't get me wrong I think the AHA does a fantastic job by and large!! I understand how homebrewing has exploded in the last few years and the problems dealing with that growth. I think that at some point the AHA "might" have to realize that they can no longer put on the NHC in its' current formFrom the perspective of a long time member, the NHC has changed for the better in my memory. The Governing Committee was a positive change, as it is made up of members like you and me, who hear member voices and try make changes for the better.I feel a bit of the same way...This was my first time entering the NHC .I don't know I was just expecting it to run more smoothly for the hoops I had to jump through and high fees I had to pay just to enter. Thank goodness my entries got moved to Seattle.....I received my scoresheets literally within days of the competition. Of course I don't know if my high scoring beers even went to the mini BOS since nothing was marked and there is some confusion if judges were supposed to fill them out. I don't know if I will enter next year but either way I don't expect the AHA to change. There is no need when demand out strips supply.If we know some regions are a bit slow, why are we still sending our beers to them? Somewhat local and well organized are my requirements for any competition. If I wasn't allowed to enter my beers in KC, I would have picked either Tulsa or St. Paul because I know they can run a great competition.
Well, this doesn't work for first time entrants who have no idea about the regions. It also doesn't work because the registration process was a complete disaster. It also, also doesn't work because once the entrant registers they are unable to register elsewhere.
This has been my first (and likely last) attempt to participate in the NHC and/or anything AHA related. Due to the size and prestige of 'The Worlds Largest Homebrew Competition' (and the exorbitant fees) I was expecting a certain level of professionalism and it has been anything but. I feel like I participated in a hobby group that got out of the organizers hands. Lesson learned I suppose.
The problem is the rapid growth of the hobby, and how to respond to and manage the growth.
I feel a bit of the same way...This was my first time entering the NHC .I don't know I was just expecting it to run more smoothly for the hoops I had to jump through and high fees I had to pay just to enter. Thank goodness my entries got moved to Seattle.....I received my scoresheets literally within days of the competition. Of course I don't know if my high scoring beers even went to the mini BOS since nothing was marked and there is some confusion if judges were supposed to fill them out. I don't know if I will enter next year but either way I don't expect the AHA to change. There is no need when demand out strips supply.If we know some regions are a bit slow, why are we still sending our beers to them? Somewhat local and well organized are my requirements for any competition. If I wasn't allowed to enter my beers in KC, I would have picked either Tulsa or St. Paul because I know they can run a great competition.
Well, this doesn't work for first time entrants who have no idea about the regions. It also doesn't work because the registration process was a complete disaster. It also, also doesn't work because once the entrant registers they are unable to register elsewhere.
This has been my first (and likely last) attempt to participate in the NHC and/or anything AHA related. Due to the size and prestige of 'The Worlds Largest Homebrew Competition' (and the exorbitant fees) I was expecting a certain level of professionalism and it has been anything but. I feel like I participated in a hobby group that got out of the organizers hands. Lesson learned I suppose.
The size limitations(5 gal), power requirement(220v), and the brewing limitations (tops out at 1.057 without using DME), not to mention that it costs almost 2k make it a novelty item IMO.
I believe that all the 1st round judging has taken place right? Does that mean maybe this week the AHA will post 1st round results? May 4th is too far away!!
All of the regionals have to get their results to Janis and she has to process all of them. Be patient, young grasshopper.
I'm also not understanding the aversion to Facebook. It's certainly not my favorite website, and can be quite annoying at times, but used properly it can give you access to large amounts of people that other advertising doesn't (and cheaper also). For a brewery in planning, I think it would be instrumental. It helps you update your "fans" on your progress, while obtaining feedback. Most people probably aren't going to log onto your web site every week to see updates, but they'll sure go on FB and see what you have to say.
And if the updates are really that annoying, just go ahead and remove them from your status feed. It's quite easy.
Something that I considered, when I had the opportunity to start a brewery: There are a lot of out of work brewers in the world. They don't make much money. So hire one to train you, pay them enough to cover relocation expenses, if necessary. If you guys work well together maybe keep them on, because if you're busy you'll need the help.
No doubt to get that there is a lot of paperwork up front. Once you get going though I have heard that it isn't bad at all.I agree. That is why I suggested that if you want to open a pico/nano brewery to make your money somewhere else first. That way the brewery can essentially stay a hobby and not become a "job" since you aren't relying on it for your income.
I've often thought, whilst brewing, that a lot of local, state and federal paperwork would make my hobby so much better.
