Homebrewery Name:Â Â FAC
How long have you been brewing?  2.5 years
What is your typical batch size (gallons)? Â 5
All Grain or Extract: Â All Grain
How long have you been all grain brewing?
What type of water do you use? Tap Water
Do you make any water adjustments? How do you calculate them? No
Mash Process: Â Single Infusion
Explain method for mash temp control & measurement:Â Â Taylor thermometer
pH – When/How do you measure and adjust? End of mash by pH strip, no adjustment
Sparge: Batch Sparge
Recipe and Equipment
Do you make your own recipes? Do you use any brewing software/tools? Sometimes. BeerSmith.
Describe your equipment and setup:
10 gal. converted Igloo drink cooler for mash tun, 10 gal stainless boil kettle, Blichmann Hellfire burner, 30L Speidel fermenter, Brew Jacket + ice bottles for cooling when needed. Basement conditioning. Basement refrigerator for kegging and lagering.
Boiling : Do you use hop bags, screens, filters, spiders? Typical boil time?
No special equipment for boiling. Average boil time 75 minutes.
What is your MVP piece of equipment, technique or trick to make your brew day easier, faster or most impacted your beer quality?
The Blichmann Hellfire burner rocks.
Fermentation
What do you ferment in?
Spiedel
What is your method of fermentation temp control?
Brew Jacket + ice when needed.
Do you use secondary fermentation vessel?
All the time
Personal History
How long have you been a member of NUBS?
1.5 years
How did you find out about the club?
From Perfect Brewing
What is your favorite style to brew, any styles you wouldn’t brew?
Porter and/or stout is my personal favorite. I haven’t brewed any lagers yet but want to. I probably won’t brew sours (sorry Tony and Don).
Have you ever had to dump a batch? If so, what happened?
Yes, early on. One time fermentation was delayed and ruined the beer. The other time unidentified problem. Both were before I upgraded to Spiedel fermenter and yeast starters.
What was the biggest mishap you ever encountered when brewing? (bottle bombs, broken equipment, big messes, etc.)
Dropped a glass carboy while cleaning it.
What has been your biggest challenge as a homebrewer?
Finding the time to brew!
What has been your biggest success as a homebrewer?
Award winning Kolsch! (NUBS Beer of the Quarter Q3 2017)
What is your favorite part of brewing your own beer?
Sharing with friends.
Do you have any other stories, facts, tips, or information about yourself you would like to share with the club?
I started home brewing 25 years ago. Wish I’d kept going instead of taking a 23 year break!