When Greg was last here in March, we went to the Carolina Brewing Company’s Saturday tour with Brian, Lisa, Lisa’s mom Ann, Danielle and Gary. It’s great – it’s kinda like the Granville Island Brewery tour but more inspiring and overall, just better. To start, it’s free! And, they open the taps before and after the tour. The brewing company is run by a few guys that decided they liked beer and wanted to make it for a living. It was really fascinating because it was all so science-y! There was yeast and temperature control and sterilization and tweeking the “protocol” (i.e., recipe) until the right things happen (the science-geek in me was happy). It’s science, but then in the end you get beer!
So yeah, needless to say, it seemed like a really good idea to start a microbrewery. Brian mentioned that whenever he goes on this tour, he also gets the same brilliant idea. There are relatively few independent microbreweries in Vancouver (at least for the city’s size). Portland, which I think is fairly comparable to Vancouver in size, has WAY more microbreweries. Yes… *tents fingers*
Greg, being the sometimes-more-practical one, said that maybe I should try brewing a beer first before I go out and set up a microbrewery. Silly Greg.
Now, Brian has been home-brewing for a while now, but I have never tried it. So last weekend Brian and I started brewing a porter that Brian named “Porter Dispute“. :D I think we bottle it in another two weeks and then can try it two weeks after that. I’m excited!
If it tastes good I might be able to convince Greg to let me at least buy home brewing equipment. We don’t have a lot of room, but I’m sure I can find a place to put it! I’d even think about getting rid of a craft box or two… maybe…
All microbreweries have to start somewhere, right?
April 28th, 2008 at 8:48 am
As long as you promise not to use terrible puns when naming your beer, I’ll help drink it.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
You know, I have kitchen space for rent. 🙂 As long as it doesn’t smell too strong (which I’m assuming if you can do it in your home it doesn’t) I’m sure we can come up with some kind of accommodation. 🙂
April 28th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
My dad used to brew beer a long time ago. I’d be careful about the odor… I remember our basement always having an odor of hops. I think it is a rather nice smell, but atleast the way my dad made it, it did produce a smell.
If you are particularly short of any of the components, let me know, we might have them.
PS. also willing to help dispose of the beer. =)
April 28th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I’m so with you on the brewery!
Failing that, I’ll also be willing to drink the beer…
April 28th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Eugene! The puns are the best part!
Yeah, it smelled pretty grainy and hoppy when the wort was boiling. It was nice though.
Thanks Kelly – we’ll see how this beer turns out! 😛
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I’m in too!
I haven’t made beer before, but I’ve made lots of wine, some from interesting ingredients (stay away from watermelon).
Zymurgy does go hand in hand with some interesting odours, but you’ll soon come to think of the old fruit in the sun scent as “the smell of success”.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
About this brewery idea…you know it’ll stick if after you visit Paula Dean’s restaurant you won’t be inspired to create home-cooked meals involving a stick of butter, all (read: oil), and a deep fryer for your side vegetable dishes. 🙂