Beer Camping

[denny]

Every time I hear beer camp, I envision a bunch of half wasted guys sitting around a campfire singing Kum Beer Yah

Fortunately, this is nothing like that!

[denny]

Same as Denny. I had the pleasure of working with him on developing our recipe.

Hey, I didn't know this was you!    Mike, please post your impressions, too.

[bluesman]

Glad you had a great time. I want to go next year. I guess it's time to start planning a crazy video.  

I'm jealous man!

[majorvices]

Only half way through the pictures. Too cool, thanks for sharing!

[tonyp]

great picts denny, looks like you had a blast, thanks for sharing!

[brewmichigan]

Same as Denny. I had the pleasure of working with him on developing our recipe.

Hey, I didn't know this was you!    Mike, please post your impressions, too.

I'm still at work but I will later. I'm still trying to process the experience into the right words. I will get my photos up too.

I also detected somewhat of a spicy character in the X-366 hop. I also picked up a few ounces of X-369 from Bells so I might be able to bridge the gap and give some insight into the differences.

[davidgzach]

I just returned from Sierra Nevada Beer Camp.  It was probably the single best, most fun beer experience I've ever had.  We spent the first day touring the plant and learning about how they do things there.  The second day we brewed 2 10 bbl. batches of our beer, "Alternate Ending" altbier, in the pilot brewhouse.  We used both American and German hops, including a new experimental variety called only #366.  I'll be writing more about it in the next few days, but here are some pics to get you started.

Very cool indeed, Denny!  They are one of my favorite commercial breweries.  Very jealous as well.....

[blatz]

ho.
ly.
crap.

that is awesome!  that is definitely something for my 'bucket' list. 

thanks for posting denny.

[denny]

The extreme generosity of the folks at SN is shown by the fact that they'll be shipping each of us 3-4 1/2 bbl. kegs of the beer we brewed.  I was hoping to get a 6 pack, but WOW!

[blatz]

guess that will make up for the weeks (months?) you weren't able to brew.

so when's the party?? 

[denny]

guess that will make up for the weeks (months?) you weren't able to brew.

so when's the party?? 

I'll let ya know....

[jaybeerman]

nice stuff denny.  when you're ready to talk about the pics more - anything to say about the hop torpedoes or the kellerweiss open fermentation?  both look pretty cool

[blatz]

Though I knew this before seeing the pics, I still think it's cool that they use nylon hop bags  to dryhop like we do.  And kudos to not changing that practice even after they developed the hop torpedo.

[bo]

So you're getting as much as 60 gallons of beer?

[brewmichigan]

nice stuff denny.  when you're ready to talk about the pics more - anything to say about the hop torpedoes or the kellerweiss open fermentation?  both look pretty cool

 I can comment about the torpedos a little. They are pretty cool pieces of equipment. The end of each fermenter had to be specially designed to accommodate the hook up to the torpedo.  They would hook up the torpedo and let it run for 4-6 days continuously pumping wort through the torpedo. I can't remember what they said about the stage of fermentation they were in during this phase. I can tell you a fresh Torpedo IPA tastes amazing. Also, and I have a pic of this, when hooked up and running, they are subjected to 25-30 psi of pressure inside the torpedo. They really are hop bombs!!