[nateo]

I forgot one: use the methode champenoise more. The best beer I brewed last year used that. It was kind of a PITA, but man was the beer good.

[narvin]

This might be the first year in a while that I don't plan to buy/build a new toy (10 gallon system, march pump toolbox, plate chiller w/ hop stopper, motorized grain mill, pH meter, microscope w/ hemacytomoeter, etc).  Until I get a pro system, I'm content 

I really dialed in my recipes last year in terms of ingredients, water, and fermentation, and I bottled some long aging beers that are excellent(3 yr lambic/kriek).  So, in retrospect, I'm happy with what I've accomplished and I think my plan this year is to ENJOY brewing and to keep doing it whenever I get the chance.  I have a lot on deck for both NHC competition and for bringing to Philly now that our club will finally have a table at club night! 

[kgs]

Share more with my friends and neighbors. I'm always shy about my beer, but when I do share, they love it. I am very critical of my beer but maybe I need to accept that they could love my beer because I shared it, not because it's the best beer in the world.

Brew styles I haven't tried, or haven't done in a while. Porter, for example. Cream ale. Scottish. Irish. Dry stout.

I had wanted to build an electric brewstand this year, and get a fridge for fermentation control, but that will depend on other things (lots of unexpected expenses this month... oh well, so goes life!).

Brew a big Christmas beer by Memorial Day!

[kramerog]

I forgot one: use the methode champenoise more. The best beer I brewed last year used that. It was kind of a PITA, but man was the beer good.

How does a homebrewer do methode champenoise?  I gotta see photos of this.

[Pawtucket Patriot]

1) Hone 2 to 4 recipes that I intend to bring to market by the end of 2013.
2) Find a contract brewer to brew said recipes.
3) Become an entrepreneur.
 

[hopfenundmalz]

I forgot one: use the methode champenoise more. The best beer I brewed last year used that. It was kind of a PITA, but man was the beer good.

How does a homebrewer do methode champenoise?  I gotta see photos of this.

Some guy named Drew has done a presentation on this at the 2009 NHC, and you can find the .pdf on the "past presentations" tab.
http://www.ahaconference.org/past-presentations/

Or you can see the technique on the Falcons site.
http://www.maltosefalcons.com/tech/methode-champenoise-beer

He must be busy.

[nateo]

Yeah I first heard about using the methode on beer on the Maltose Falcons page. When I did it myself, I found you don't actually need a solvent for the dry ice (they used acetone). I had a metal tube that held the bottles upright. Put a flat chunk of dry ice in the bottom of the tube, then insert bottle so the crown is resting evenly on the dry ice slab. Set your timer for 2 minutes. When the timer goes off, the yeast plug will be perfectly frozen. Your timing may vary, but 2 minutes was the sweet spot for me.

I also tried using everclear as the solvent, but that didn't work very well at all. even after 5 minutes in the brine the plug wasn't totally frozen. If the core of the plug isn't properly frozen, the procedure will be botched. It's really easy to freeze everything except for a tiny hole in the middle, so if you try this, have a dental pick or something similar on hand to fish out the plug.

It's also easier to use a bench capper to press the plastic cork in, rather than a rubber mallet.

[thetooth]

1. Get into and pass the BJCP tasting exam.
2. Advance something past the first round of the NHC.

[rjharper]

1. Spend less (no big purchases on equipment)
2. Brew more efficiently (both brewhouse efficiency and 10 gal batches to save time)
3. Don't let brewing take over my life. Find a better balance.

[kmccaf]

1. Brew more well known recipes
2. Hone some recipes of my own (session rye, and English mild especially)
3. Brew an extract batch once in a while.
4. Have friends and family over for a hop picking day. My hops are going into their 2nd and 3rd years, so this should be a lot of fun.
5. Brew with different sugars (piloncillo, muscovado, jaggery, coconut, treacle).

[theDarkSide]

For those of you wanting to attend the NHC, be careful, you might get hooked. This will be my 8th. Some have been to many more.

Last year was my first, and I don't plan on missing any in the future!

[beersk]

1. Spend less (no big purchases on equipment)
2. Brew more efficiently (both brewhouse efficiency and 10 gal batches to save time)
3. Don't let brewing take over my life. Find a better balance.

Brewing consuming your life is it? I've been brewing more this year so far (2 times since the first, planning to brew again next weekend). I brew 4 gallon batches though.  I'm buying and drinking less commercial beer, so I'm going through my own beer so much faster. Maybe I'll want to start brewing 5 gallon batches again.

[mainebrewer]

1. Keep working on my processes so I can get predictable results.
2. Pass the BJCP tasting exam (I'm on the wait list for an exam scheduled for later this year).

[rjharper]

1. Spend less (no big purchases on equipment)
2. Brew more efficiently (both brewhouse efficiency and 10 gal batches to save time)
3. Don't let brewing take over my life. Find a better balance.

Brewing consuming your life is it? I've been brewing more this year so far (2 times since the first, planning to brew again next weekend). I brew 4 gallon batches though.  I'm buying and drinking less commercial beer, so I'm going through my own beer so much faster. Maybe I'll want to start brewing 5 gallon batches again.

Maybe not consuming my life, but I'm finding myself brewing every Sunday, or getting antsy if I haven't brewed in a couple of weeks, plus brewing equipment in just about every room, and no room in the freezer for food because of the hops, and yeast taking up half the fridge etc LOL.  It would be nice to dial it back in a bit.  Admittedly it doesn't help that I started Angry Scotsman Brewing LLC last year (www.angryscot.com shameless plug!) but still, a better balance would be nice.  The yard doesn't take care of itself after all...

[blatz]

damn Ross - checked out your website - you clean up on the awards man - good job!