Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - micsager

Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 54
31
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/apr/17/aged-to-perfection-retirement-center-crafts-its/#axzz2QqXoEDEZ

A half-dozen members of the Bay Pointe brewers club bottled the stuff in late March, after taking a class at Olympic Brewing Supplies of Bremerton. On Tuesday, they got the first sip of their creation and shared it with fellow residents. “It’s got an unusual taste,” said Al Cook, one of those with a hand in the process.


32
Commercial Beer Reviews / Elephant poop beer
« on: April 18, 2013, 11:09:11 AM »
I kid you not.

http://now.msn.com/elephant-poop-beer-un-kono-kuro-coffee-stout-from-sankt-gallen-brewery#scptmd

I'm all for trying new styles.  But, I may pause at this.

33
All Grain Brewing / Re: another water question
« on: April 18, 2013, 07:53:32 AM »
You can buy test kits from pet supply stores, intended for aquariums, that can give you a reasonably accurate picture of the water's alkalinity.   Kai has a good write up on his site about this:

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=At_home_water_testing


Getting this water tested by Ward Labs is really quite reasonable (You want test W-6, $16.50), but I don't think there will be enough time between now and the first week in May to send in a sample and get results back.  Unless you happen to live near Kearney, Nebraska.

http://www.wardlab.com/FeeSchedule/WaterAnalysis.aspx


Otherwise, I would just use the water as-is and hope for the best.

If you get that bottle in the mail to Wardlabs today or tomorrow, there is plenty of time.  At least the three times I have sent in bottles, I have gotten the results in less than 5 days.  I know Wardlabs had to shut down because of the storm last week, but all reports say they are back up and running. 


34
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: budweiser yes, but kind of cool
« on: April 18, 2013, 07:49:13 AM »
IMO, dumb gimmick.....11 ounce can for the fashonably hip.

I am a curmudgeon, however, as the only can I really like as a beer package is a keg.  If ever given the choice, I choose a bottled product over an equivelant canned one....even if I pour it into a glass.

I understand the ecological and beer quality aspects of the can, and appreciate the craft beer movement to provide an "on the go" packaging alternative.....it is just my personal last choice unless I need it for a reason (like a park, or the pool).

But then again, being a homebrewer, with a kegerator, and stainless steel growlers....I am not much of a packaged beer consumer anyway.

Red Hook brewing is starting to put their Longhammer IPA into cans.  And that is my standard "go to" beer.  I've been considering buy some cans and doing a blind taste test with the bottles.  I think your note has pushed me.  We're gonna do it this weekend. 


35
Going Pro / Re: What Am I Missing in This Artcle?
« on: April 18, 2013, 07:44:38 AM »
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.

LOL.  We own and operate a pico brewery.  And there's no doubt that the paperwork is a PITA.  But, now that I've got a system down, it's not TOO bad.  But, I hear ya.


36
Going Pro / Re: What Am I Missing in This Artcle?
« on: April 16, 2013, 04:01:13 PM »
Interesting take. 

I don't think any brewery "deserves" business. 

I think if your brewery has horrible chlorophenol problems, or sells infected beer, you "deserve" to go out of business. You're doing the entire craft industry a disservice by selling s***ty beer, as well as siphoning off sales that would otherwise support a good brewery that knows what they're doing.

Oh I certainly believe some breweries deserve to go "out of business,"  I just don't think any deserve to be in business.  They must earn it.  Every day.

Shouldn't that go for every business? Except Microsoft, of course. ;)

Most certainly.  (even microsoft)  I just didn't think my first post was clear.   

37
Going Pro / Re: What Am I Missing in This Artcle?
« on: April 16, 2013, 03:57:53 PM »
Interesting take. 

I don't think any brewery "deserves" business. 

I think if your brewery has horrible chlorophenol problems, or sells infected beer, you "deserve" to go out of business. You're doing the entire craft industry a disservice by selling s***ty beer, as well as siphoning off sales that would otherwise support a good brewery that knows what they're doing.

Oh I certainly believe some breweries deserve to go "out of business,"  I just don't think any deserve to be in business.  They must earn it.  Every day. 

38
Going Pro / Re: What Am I Missing in This Artcle?
« on: April 16, 2013, 09:47:17 AM »
I think breweries better get used to getting a smaller and smaller piece of the market share. Part of the problem is that everyone thinks they are going to make money with a brewery....at least enough to support themselves.  This is where I think we can learn from the wine industry. Many, in fact I would say most, wineries/vineyards are started by people who made their money somewhere else.  I have looking at the plethora of new wineries in my general area and most, if not all, are started by people in their 40's-60's.  Most are only open 3 days a week and have very limited distribution.  I see this as the future of breweries.....not a 15bbl brewery that is trying to get their beer in every store, bar, and restaurant in sight.

+1  Nice post.

39
Going Pro / Re: What Am I Missing in This Artcle?
« on: April 16, 2013, 09:44:25 AM »
That's probably not a typo. All the cool kids are starting severely under-capitalized breweries.

I wonder if all these new "pro" brewers will siphon off business from properly run breweries, ruining not just their own business, but several others as well. Hopefully they'll go under quickly enough that the good breweries who deserve the business can stay afloat.

Interesting take. 

I don't think any brewery "deserves" business. 



 

40
Going Pro / Re: Job open in Tacoma, WA
« on: April 16, 2013, 07:38:38 AM »
I suppose I should say that I have no involvement or knowledge of this brewery or Ms. Smith.  I'm just sharing information.  (although I will be checking out their beer this fall when they open)

41
Going Pro / Re: Job open in Tacoma, WA
« on: April 16, 2013, 07:37:15 AM »
Here's the job description.  This is one of the best areas in Tacoma.  And close to the best pizza on the west coast...  "Clover Leaf Tavern"

HEAD BREWER (Tacoma, Washington)
Job Description
Narrows Brewing Company, Tacoma Washington, is looking to hire its first head brewer. We are a start up brewery that occupies 9,000 square feet in a newly rebuilt, 100 plus year old, waterfront building at the Narrows Marina. The Marina is located in the South Puget Sound in the shadow of the Narrows Bridge. The brewery and taproom will provide a unique waterfront atmosphere and destination serving the greater Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia areas and is accessible year round by land or by sea!

The Brewery is a 15 barrel, Premier Stainless brew house with 15 and 30 barrel fermenters and bright tanks. It is built for large scale distribution but will also focus on the sales out of the taproom as well. We will initially offer 5-7 beers with a number of creative seasonals.

Prior to the official opening of the Brewery, we have a small pilot brewing plant that the head brewer will use to develop recipes and promote the Narrows Brewing brand in the region. As a start-up, all employees will be expected to participate in all aspects of the business: brewing, cleaning, keg washing, cellaring, packaging, marketing, etc.

The head brewer will lead recipe formulation, yeast management, ordering supplies, coordinating distribution, etc. This position offers exciting working and growth opportunity to a passionate brewer.

Qualifications

Ideal person has brewed on at least a 15 BBL system in full production, has created and brewed more than 10 "styles" of beer, has at least 6 years on the brew deck and has working knowledge of all aspects of brewery operations as well as packaging and distribution. This person needs to the have a passion for developing beers that will become brewery favorites as well as the ability to create timeless Narrows Brewing "Classics". This person needs to understand barrel aging, sours, yeast strains, hop varieties, grain varieties, grain roasts, etc.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities

• Responsible for the entire brewing and quality control processes and hence should be well versed in scheduling, brewing, cellaring and packaging operations.
• Recipe development; create award winning Narrows beers.
• Manage raw materials, inventory control, scheduling and Hop contracts.
• Sanitary sampling, yeast cell counts and record keeping of all beers produced.
• Cellar operations including DE filtration, tank transfer, sanitation procedures.
• Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Coordinating operations with Packaging, Maintenance, QC and Shipping departments.
• Strong verbal communication and organization skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment.
• Hands-on leadership skills for developing and training a team.
• Good understanding of quality assurance / quality control and problem solving skills and to troubleshoot any beer related issues.
• Manage client & vendor relationships.
• Participation in events, festivals, promotions, etc. (this is a must).
• Possess or obtain a State of Washington Class 12 liquor license (alcohol server card).


Compensation:
• Competitive salary based upon previous work experience and expertise.
• Benefits package includes medical, vacation, and personal days.
• For the right candidate, relocation costs may be considered.


To Apply:
Send resume, a couple paragraphs about yourself, and references.

Please let us know about all relevant work experience including size and type of equipment that you have worked on as well as any awards and accolades that you have received for your beers.

•   Location: Tacoma, Washington
•   Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
•   Please, no phone calls about this job!
•   Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.


42
Going Pro / Job open in Tacoma, WA
« on: April 16, 2013, 07:35:13 AM »
I recieved this email yesterday:

Hello~

My name is Jen Smith and I am emailing out to our local home brewing communities to see if anyone knows of an up and coming star in the Washington area who would be looking to come into a state of the art brewing facility and lead Tacoma in the craft brewing industry.  We will be completed with our build-out of our 9,000 sq. ft. facility in 2 months and our TTB license will be good around Aug. 1st.  We have been interviewing for head brewers and are not finding the right fit – either we are getting great applicants and they aren’t willing to move their families to the NW or they are not what we are looking for. 

Attached is the job description that we have posted in Probrewer.com and Craigslist ads in the Seattle/Portland area.  Other attachments are the pictures of the location of the brewery.  The picture of the “marina” is the location of the brewery to the left with the two banks of windows which overlook the dock/the sound/the bridges.
 
We feel we are unique in that the brewery will be located adjacent to Boathouse 19, a full-service bar and restaurant on the water which is located on Day Island in Tacoma, WA.  The dock is expansive and will allow for large amounts of boat traffic during the boating season and then of course there is a vehicle parking available as well.  The view from the brewery is breathtaking of the Tacoma Narrows bridges and overlooks the “Narrows Passage” of the Puget Sound. 

 

If you have any questions for further detail, please do not hesitate to write back. 

 

Thank you,

Jen Smith

The email is jenlsmith28@gmail.com

(I'll post the job description in another post.)




43
Going Pro / Re: BROP software for a 1bbl brewery
« on: April 16, 2013, 07:32:35 AM »
$4000/year?

I guess it depends on your size, but I feel like a fairly small brewery might put this cash to better use on a bright tank or more hops.

Excel can do everything you need, if you have a strong grasp of accounting. The more heavy-lifting a program does, the less knowledge you need. You really, really need to keep close track of your finances if you're a small brewery on a tight budget. I'd say if you really have no idea how accounting is done in manufacturing, Orchestrated Beer is worth the money.

But, one must be fairly proficient in excel.  I do OK, but certainly not well enough to suit my needs.  One reason I was hoping someone would share a spreadsheet they ahve created.  I have some friends int he accounting department at work, and two guys seem very willing to help.  Of course it will cost me a couple growlers.  But really, that's a good deal.  They are coming over this weekend, to take my haphazard spreadsheets, and turn them into one cohesive product. 

I love brewing beer, and I love it when a complete strangers orders a second of the beer we brew.  But, the business side of this is not for me.  Probably why we will never grow past our 1bbl system. 

44
Going Pro / BROP software for a 1bbl brewery
« on: April 12, 2013, 08:08:35 AM »
Anyone know of a reasonable software product for a tiny brewery?  The Orchastratedbeer looks cool, but way too much for us. 

(or if someone has an excel spreadsheet to share...........)

45
No brewing this weekend.  Going to stewart 1st round NHC in Seattle. 

Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 54