2007 Fall Big Brew a Great Success

Last Saturday, a group of craft beer enthusiasts gathered at a local home to experience a full day of brewing nirvana. Around 40 people stopped by, off and on throughout the day, with the sickest individuals showing up at 9am and staying until after midnight.

Ten brewing rigs lined the home’s driveway and carport, with sixty-five gallons of a wide variety of beer styles produced, including Bavarian Dunkleweizen, Southern Pecan Ale, German Schwarzbier black lager, Pumpkin Spiced Ale, Belgian Golden Strong Ale, Strong Scotch Ale, American IPA, Oyster Stout and Winter Warmer.

It was a perfect day… no rain, with temperatures beginning in the 50s and never exceeding the 70s. The fresh aroma of barley, wheat and hops boiling in kettles attracted neighbors from around the block. Smiles and laughter were everywhere, as was serious discussion about brewing techniques and process. Plenty of Deer and Elk meat was available hot off the grill, as was plenty of food generously donated by one of the Auburn area’s finest restaurants, the Yellow Hammer Restaurant in Waverly.

Brewers and other participants enjoyed homemade Rauchbier (smoked beer), Belgian Golden Strong with Brettanomyces Bruxellensis (a very tasty souring bacteria), English Extra Special Bitter, German Roggenbier (rye ale), Wheatwine, Spiced Belgian Dark Strong, North German Altbier, Belgian Trippel, Belgian Dubbel, Kolsch, Dry Stout, Saison, India Pale Ale, Black Cherry Cider and Mead, Strong Scotch Ale, Russian Imperial Stout, Bock, American Dark Lager, Bohemian Pilsner, Oktoberfest, American Blonde Ale and Baltic Porter, among others.

This was homebrewing at its finest… brewed at home, no commercial catch phrases, enjoyed at home, responsibly, among good friends, with plenty of in-depth discussion and lots of inspiration to ensure that future batches turn out even better!

Click here for an album of photos from the early in the day. Thanks to Dean for taking a bunch of good pictures for us. Thanks also to Doug.. his photos will be added to the album later.

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