Along with the occasional drinking of the beer, I like to take fresh beer and spray it all over the kitchen and my body. It is a cleansing ritual of sorts. No seriously, last week, I bottled our beer and make a humongous mess. After like the 10th spill, I just laughed and grabbed yet another beach towel to sop up the mess. All in all, I would say we lost maybe 1/2 gallon of brew. Not bad. In some ways, I'm glad it happened that way. Now I know to head back to the brew supply and find the proper tools for bottling.
We ended up with about 10 22oz bottles, 1 1 liter, 1 50oz bottle, and about 1 case of 12oz bottles. They are in the basement bottle fermenting. We'll have a little get together the first weekend of March to check out the end result.
Now to decide on a new brew for March/April.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The other 'Couve
So yeah, I'm here in the other Couve - the one farther north. I had the opportunity to head up here with a new friend Wayan and we're sitting in a restaurant playing with OLPCs. Pretty cool seeing a bunch of geeks get giddy about a laptop built for children. Oh, and the sun came out.
Not sure what will transpire between now and Monday. Will keep you posted.
oh, and we've already hit 2 microbreweries. too bad there aren't many more.
Not sure what will transpire between now and Monday. Will keep you posted.
oh, and we've already hit 2 microbreweries. too bad there aren't many more.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
the Brewing of the Beer
Ahh, summer of 1992. Remember those wonderful days of our youth? If you weren't born yet, I feel strange about you reading my blog..... Well, in the summer of 1992, just after graduating from Linfield, I decided I wanted to make homebrew beer. I visited Powells and picked up a book and set out to acquire the items needed to brew beer. The funny part was that my dad laughed at all the equipment relaying stories that he used to brew beer in the bathtub. What was wrong with the bathtub?....he would ask....
Fast forward to 2008 and Mikey, Anna and I are brewing some beer. Mike and I visited Steinbarts for the ingredients and lo and behold, beer was being brewed. Granted, we started with a beer at the Green Dragon, then wings at Fire on the Mountain and oh yeah, a pitcher of Amnesia. Who says you shouldn't dring when brewing?
The simple steps are as follows:
One day later, still no activity. I asked another brewer and he suggested that the basement may be too cool for the yeast. After moving the carboy upstairs, it just took off and began spewing the goop that happens when beer ferments. What a joy to see your little baby spitting off gas.
So, here we are. The beer is actively fermenting in a bedroom closet. We need to get and clean bottles and begin planning for batch 2. So So exciting.
The simple steps are as follows:
- 2 gallons of water heated to 150 deg.
- 1/2 lb of Victory malt and 1/2 lb of Crystal malt cracked.
- Grains in water for 10-15 min.
- Remove grains (we had a mesh bag to facilitate this.)
- Add in Malt Extract (gooey stuff) and bring to a boil.
- Stir Stir Stir.
- Boil for an hour with 1 oz of Amarillo hops.
- After boil, cool WORT to 75 deg.
- Mix WORT with 3 gallons of clean water in a bucket.
- When temperature is around 75 deg, transfer to CARBOY - straing out hops while pouring through fresh hops.
- Add Yeast!
- Store in dark, yet moderately warm space. In the winter it should stay above 65, but no higher than 75 deg.
- Attach fermentation plug and hose and leave for a couple of days.
One day later, still no activity. I asked another brewer and he suggested that the basement may be too cool for the yeast. After moving the carboy upstairs, it just took off and began spewing the goop that happens when beer ferments. What a joy to see your little baby spitting off gas.
So, here we are. The beer is actively fermenting in a bedroom closet. We need to get and clean bottles and begin planning for batch 2. So So exciting.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Lists!
I did pretty well last week even though it was hella cold. I gave up on Thursday afternoon before crossing the Steel Bridge. The cold biting wind on my face was just too much. I did walk yesterday and my route took me across the Broadway bridge and up Interstate to N. Mississippi. I had to stop by Widmer for a happy hour beer. I tried to pull in others via Twitter and text messaging, but no one was available. I did learn this. Even though the 23oz glass of brew is only $3, it isn't necessarily what one should order. Unless you drink it fast, it warms up before you can finish. Next time I'll order the pints.
When I walk, I think. I usually put together lists in my head. Some of those lists come to fruition, others not. Yesterday, my list was about beer. Tinymeat wants to brew some beer and so do I, I I have been thinking about what equipment I still have. When I got home, I grabbed the homebrew book and began putting together a list.
When I walk, I think. I usually put together lists in my head. Some of those lists come to fruition, others not. Yesterday, my list was about beer. Tinymeat wants to brew some beer and so do I, I I have been thinking about what equipment I still have. When I got home, I grabbed the homebrew book and began putting together a list.
As you can see, I have many of the items listed. What is crazy is that most of it was stored in a big pot in the basement along with some 3 and 5lb bags of malt, some hop pellets, a thing of yeast (that should have been refrigerated...,) and sugar. Now, I don't know how much of this is salvagable, but the equipment will still work just fine. The pot has some surface rust which may or may not doom it to the scrap bin. I'll have to figure that one out. Also, I have some hose, but none of it is the length I require. So, we'll need to do some shopping at some point. 15 years ago when I brewed last, the only resource for beer making equipment was FH Steinbarts which was pretty darn spendy. Now luckily we have places like Home Depot. Still, we'll have to hit up Steinbarts for the ingredients at least.
So, we're off and running I guess. A friend has bottles and I have space in the basement to store beer while it ferments, albeit with the cats. Soon, we'll have a beer tasting party somewhere.
Next up, an outbuilding to store the still......
Some of the stuff I found:
So, we're off and running I guess. A friend has bottles and I have space in the basement to store beer while it ferments, albeit with the cats. Soon, we'll have a beer tasting party somewhere.
Next up, an outbuilding to store the still......
Some of the stuff I found:
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
The bridge.......again
Where were you at 2am Sunday morning? How about 2am this morning? Wow, what a weekend. I have to say that one of the best moments of the weekend was walking around downtown at 2am Sunday morning. Yeah, it was a little cold and a bit damp, but the city was quiet and enchanting. We were downtown to see a show at Dantes and then needed to head over to NE to pick up my friend's van and find him a hotel for the night, so we walked. The Burnside Bridge was closed even to bike and food traffic and MAX was long shut down, so we ventured down to the waterfront and across the Steel bridge. We even caught it when a freight train was rolling across. So cool, so loud.
When I say we, I mean Mr. WizardBoots and I. See, the weekend started with a walk home from work and then an evening out with Spindrift, one of the bands we like. They were playing at East End. An internet friend of Anna's - Wizard Boots - came to Portland to see the band. We hit it off and became fast friends, so Saturday, after waking and coffeeing, I took him out to show him Portland. I love doing that. We hit up Rocky Butte, Pittock Mansion, Hawthorne and Bridgeport Brewing. He and I then went downtown on Saturday night to see a band named Hello Lobster - devo-ish. We missed most of their set due to a misunderstanding and going to the wrong venue. That's what you get when you have a few beers on an empty stomach.
Sunday was quieter, but not as quiet as you would expect. Wizard Boots came over for dinner and then he Anna and I went to Revolver Studios to catch Spindrift again in a small private show. The studio is owned and operated by our friend Colin and his partner, so they wanted to do a grand opening in style. There were about 100 people there once the band started, but it was a school night for many, so the crowd thinned as they played. I would say about 60 people were left when the band finished. They performed a great set that had people dancing, swaying and clapping excitedly. Oh, and to listen to a band perform with just their amps and a powered mic is way cool. Like I said- intimate.
Two busy days and three late nights has me a little raw and tired. Not hungover or sick, just worn out a bit. I feel I lived like a rawk star a little this weekend and I love it.
some more photos of the weekend
Despair in the Westerner Hotel
Ok, I guess I had a couple of beers.
We learned chess on the fly.
the fog. times like this is when I want to learn photography.
When I say we, I mean Mr. WizardBoots and I. See, the weekend started with a walk home from work and then an evening out with Spindrift, one of the bands we like. They were playing at East End. An internet friend of Anna's - Wizard Boots - came to Portland to see the band. We hit it off and became fast friends, so Saturday, after waking and coffeeing, I took him out to show him Portland. I love doing that. We hit up Rocky Butte, Pittock Mansion, Hawthorne and Bridgeport Brewing. He and I then went downtown on Saturday night to see a band named Hello Lobster - devo-ish. We missed most of their set due to a misunderstanding and going to the wrong venue. That's what you get when you have a few beers on an empty stomach.
Sunday was quieter, but not as quiet as you would expect. Wizard Boots came over for dinner and then he Anna and I went to Revolver Studios to catch Spindrift again in a small private show. The studio is owned and operated by our friend Colin and his partner, so they wanted to do a grand opening in style. There were about 100 people there once the band started, but it was a school night for many, so the crowd thinned as they played. I would say about 60 people were left when the band finished. They performed a great set that had people dancing, swaying and clapping excitedly. Oh, and to listen to a band perform with just their amps and a powered mic is way cool. Like I said- intimate.
Two busy days and three late nights has me a little raw and tired. Not hungover or sick, just worn out a bit. I feel I lived like a rawk star a little this weekend and I love it.
some more photos of the weekend
Despair in the Westerner Hotel
Ok, I guess I had a couple of beers.
We learned chess on the fly.
the fog. times like this is when I want to learn photography.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Reflections!
We're on day three of Walkathonizationism 2008. Per the header of this blog, I started walking in earnest in 2005, but last year, it kinda waned. I got lazy and reverted to my old ways and thinking. In 2005/6 and part of 2007, I walked almost 4 million steps. Wow. I also kept my weight steady and felt healthy and energetic most of the time. Anna and I would also do these challenges with ourselves- how many steps in one day! We would chalk up 25,000, 30,000 maybe even more. It was so fun to just keep walking.
Well, I want to get back to that mentality and method of staying active. When I say I reverted back to old ways it meant that I psyched myself into thinking that walking home (which takes all of 1hr 15 minutes) is a waste of time and I had things to do at home. You know what those things are? Yep, sitting and relaxing in front of the TV with a beer. Wow, that is some sense of accomplishment.
To get myself remotivated, I have filled up the Ipod, made sure I have my walking clothes always in my bag and picked up some cigars. See I enjoy a cigar occasionally yet with the weather so cold, sitting on the porch isn't an option. Yet, having a cigar on the walk home works perfectly.
I'm also getting back to some photographing of my city. I love the photo to the left because it points out how calm the river was. You don't get that kind of reflection when the current is running. The tide must be in.
So, raise your cups of coffee or tea or your beer if you are reading this after 12pm. I'm pledging again to be an active walker in 2008. Wanna walk with me?
Well, I want to get back to that mentality and method of staying active. When I say I reverted back to old ways it meant that I psyched myself into thinking that walking home (which takes all of 1hr 15 minutes) is a waste of time and I had things to do at home. You know what those things are? Yep, sitting and relaxing in front of the TV with a beer. Wow, that is some sense of accomplishment.
To get myself remotivated, I have filled up the Ipod, made sure I have my walking clothes always in my bag and picked up some cigars. See I enjoy a cigar occasionally yet with the weather so cold, sitting on the porch isn't an option. Yet, having a cigar on the walk home works perfectly.
I'm also getting back to some photographing of my city. I love the photo to the left because it points out how calm the river was. You don't get that kind of reflection when the current is running. The tide must be in.
So, raise your cups of coffee or tea or your beer if you are reading this after 12pm. I'm pledging again to be an active walker in 2008. Wanna walk with me?
Saturday, December 15, 2007
I am cook
MMMM, yummy broth creation that was later used to make ancho crimini mushroom risotto. mmm mmm good.
Friday, November 23, 2007
garlic!
Yes, I love garlic. Garlic gets me through the day and night. This was for our veggie Thanksgiving dinner. Most of it was saute'd up with the kale, but a small amount was put into the yummy gravy.
I love garlic.
I love garlic.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
What did you do this weekend?
This past weekend actually began a few weeks ago at my parents place. See, we have been working on our master bedroom for about 3+ years now and are almost at the finish line. We have the bathroom almost done and are just awaiting the return of our plumber. We're even sleeping up there even though the floor and finish carpentry are not finished. One of the major items is just that - finish carpentry - which includes trimming out the 4 windows in the room. That is what prompted the trip out east to visit my dad and use his power tools.
I had this image of window stools of reclaimed straight grain fir. Since we are in an 1890's house, I wanted to keep some items old and period. Well, that didn't work out. I bought some great boards @ the rebuilding center, but when I arrived at my fathers, we figured out I had the wrong sizes. It would have turned out to be a single very very expensive stool. Luckily, my father, a former woodshop teacher, had some great fir from previous projects in the back that we could work with. After some cutting and sizing, we were ready to begin shaping. My idea was to have the window stool jut out beyond the trim a bit and then have a roundover edge to an ogee at the bottom. That is traditional for windows of the period of our house. We tried to work with the wood with my father's router bits, but they just weren't cutting out enough. We then moved on to the 1960's Craftsman Radial-arm saw. Yup, a tool older than me. My father had a way to turn the saw into a shaping tool and create the same affect as a router. The blades and even the instructions were in great condition for being from 1960ish and sitting in the carport for so long.
Initially, the saw didn't work. It was damaging the wood. It was at this point that I actually had to leave. I had planned on spending some cash on a more elaborate router bit to take care of the job, but before I had even shopped, my father called to tell me the blade was in the wrong position. Typical for this family. At least we figured it out and the result is A W E S O M E! A couple days after my father told me about the blade, he delivered 4 pieces of window stool with perfect roundover ends, ogee edges and dadoed insets. All I needed to do was a little sanding, cutting and installing. That brings us to this past weekend.
I began at 1 windows on the south side. The window stool my father and I fashioned was cut to inset into the window and hang over and out. I had to cut out the edges in order to have an overhang to the left and right of the trim. That takes some math and some precision cutting, especially when cutting the corners. This is where I put on the leather gloves, pray and make sure the car keys are readily available (miter saws involved.) Luckily, no injuries this whole weekend. And you know, it worked out perfectly. Actually, it worked out perfectly for about 90% of the cuts. I only had to tweak a little.
I then proceeded on to the trim which was MDF - meant to be painted. This is for the inside of the window cavity and the facing trim on the side and top. I even added a little feature of a bead molding at the top of the window to mimic what is downstairs. I'm soo ingenious.
I had this image of window stools of reclaimed straight grain fir. Since we are in an 1890's house, I wanted to keep some items old and period. Well, that didn't work out. I bought some great boards @ the rebuilding center, but when I arrived at my fathers, we figured out I had the wrong sizes. It would have turned out to be a single very very expensive stool. Luckily, my father, a former woodshop teacher, had some great fir from previous projects in the back that we could work with. After some cutting and sizing, we were ready to begin shaping. My idea was to have the window stool jut out beyond the trim a bit and then have a roundover edge to an ogee at the bottom. That is traditional for windows of the period of our house. We tried to work with the wood with my father's router bits, but they just weren't cutting out enough. We then moved on to the 1960's Craftsman Radial-arm saw. Yup, a tool older than me. My father had a way to turn the saw into a shaping tool and create the same affect as a router. The blades and even the instructions were in great condition for being from 1960ish and sitting in the carport for so long.
Initially, the saw didn't work. It was damaging the wood. It was at this point that I actually had to leave. I had planned on spending some cash on a more elaborate router bit to take care of the job, but before I had even shopped, my father called to tell me the blade was in the wrong position. Typical for this family. At least we figured it out and the result is A W E S O M E! A couple days after my father told me about the blade, he delivered 4 pieces of window stool with perfect roundover ends, ogee edges and dadoed insets. All I needed to do was a little sanding, cutting and installing. That brings us to this past weekend.
I began at 1 windows on the south side. The window stool my father and I fashioned was cut to inset into the window and hang over and out. I had to cut out the edges in order to have an overhang to the left and right of the trim. That takes some math and some precision cutting, especially when cutting the corners. This is where I put on the leather gloves, pray and make sure the car keys are readily available (miter saws involved.) Luckily, no injuries this whole weekend. And you know, it worked out perfectly. Actually, it worked out perfectly for about 90% of the cuts. I only had to tweak a little.
I then proceeded on to the trim which was MDF - meant to be painted. This is for the inside of the window cavity and the facing trim on the side and top. I even added a little feature of a bead molding at the top of the window to mimic what is downstairs. I'm soo ingenious.
In the end, I spent about $70 on material, not including the wood my dad donated after my botched rebuilding center purchase. It took me most of Saturday and a couple hours on Sunday to trim out 4 windows. Nothing is technically finished, that would required filling the nail holes, calking where the gaps are, oiling or staining the fir and painting everything else. We'll get to that.
I present to you the finished product.
I present to you the finished product.
oh and to end this post, since it is on Halloween, I present to you
PUNKIN HEAD
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
What a beautiful couple
This photo is from a wedding we attended before becoming rockstars for a week. Look at that beautiful woman who is standing next to me. Wow, how could I have guessed I would be married to her.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
party like a....
The only reason I woke up @ 8am was to move the car. Others were just getting to bed.
Monday was a great day and night. We woke in mt shasta early to skip any traffic at lake shasta and bolted down I5 to sfo. The drive was uneventful except a detour because the bay bridge was closed. We went over the golden gate which was amazing. There were a ton of people walking and biking and enjoying the last ceremonial day of summer. Upon arrival, we chilled before heading to Pacifica for a bbq with our friends. Great to catch up and hang out in the ocean coolness and mist. Oh, and the brats were perfectly cooked.
As evening approached, the excitement level rose. We met up with our english friends and some others we have met along the touring way. We found out the band was delayed, so we hung out and just chatted. When we did get to the venue, it was rather crowded, but we only had to hang out for a minute before Colin swooped us back stage. Cool! It was you normal back stage with couches and the band and beer and a fruit tray. We were only back there a few moments before the show started. We hung out on the side and watched a great show. Everyone was into it and there weren't any fireworks and Colin even sang on one of the new songs. Yay!
After the show is a little blurry. I will wake up and try and remember it all.... Off for some lunch.
Monday was a great day and night. We woke in mt shasta early to skip any traffic at lake shasta and bolted down I5 to sfo. The drive was uneventful except a detour because the bay bridge was closed. We went over the golden gate which was amazing. There were a ton of people walking and biking and enjoying the last ceremonial day of summer. Upon arrival, we chilled before heading to Pacifica for a bbq with our friends. Great to catch up and hang out in the ocean coolness and mist. Oh, and the brats were perfectly cooked.
As evening approached, the excitement level rose. We met up with our english friends and some others we have met along the touring way. We found out the band was delayed, so we hung out and just chatted. When we did get to the venue, it was rather crowded, but we only had to hang out for a minute before Colin swooped us back stage. Cool! It was you normal back stage with couches and the band and beer and a fruit tray. We were only back there a few moments before the show started. We hung out on the side and watched a great show. Everyone was into it and there weren't any fireworks and Colin even sang on one of the new songs. Yay!
After the show is a little blurry. I will wake up and try and remember it all.... Off for some lunch.
Who knew
ok, here come the blog posts:
who knew that Mt. Shasta had Zoobombers. Seen locked up outside of Casa Ramos, a Mexican chain.
who knew that Mt. Shasta had Zoobombers. Seen locked up outside of Casa Ramos, a Mexican chain.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Night 2
Just ate my lunch leftovers. I'm tired. It has been a long 4 days. Glad we're getting a 2 day reprieve. The show tonight was good and long. Heard some tunes we don't normally hear and were able to introduce Katie to the bjm.
Heading out in the morn, so gotta get some sleep. I'm gonna be rockstar and leave my all access wristband on until friday.
Heading out in the morn, so gotta get some sleep. I'm gonna be rockstar and leave my all access wristband on until friday.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
BJM night one
Hangover lasted most of the day. Show last night was amazing. Went to bed around 3. Woke around 11. Day in Haight.
Best moment: Anton on the haight putting up "dukes."
Best moment: Anton on the haight putting up "dukes."
Monday, September 03, 2007
BJM
Dimmer just took the stage and I understand the drive from la was long. I am waiting outside, having the knowledge that the band is going on late because I am in the know and I am obviously awesome.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
The ranch
I have heartburn after that meal. Yuck. Note to self. The Cow Creek rest stop is the worst on the route. I swear serial killers hang out there or dump out there.
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