Brew Dudes

The American Homebrewers Association has just released its completely revamped website.  It’s a big improvement over the old site.  Better organized and more relevant homebrewing features.  It also has a slightly separate look and feel  from the “mother” site; Brewer’s Association. Before the two were like mirror images of each other.  They are still similar, but the differences are more apparent now. (Actually, I just realized the old BA site is still up at BeerTown.org)

There is also a forum, which I am very thankful for.  Tech talk was an 1990s-esque email style bulletin board.  I don’t know if tech talk is still running, but I would think it would be easier to just trash it and moderate a well packaged web forum.

Anyhow, go check out the site.  If you aren’t a member of the Homebrewers Association, think about signing up.  I would then suggest if you do want to sign up, register through a web portal like the ones found at The Brewing Network or Basic Brewing Radio.  That way you are supporting the AHA and one of those other guys as well.

BREW ON!

Thoughts can turn into things or in this case an event. Back in August, I had a thought of having a party involving malty lagers, smoked meat, and crisp Autumn air.

Well, we had that party last Sunday. Here are some photos:

The Oktoberfest didn’t make it but we had a superb brown porter and a sparkling malted hard cider (marked with the apple above the tap). I smoked a fresh pork shoulder and fried up some chicken. Had some pretzels and some good mustard. The weather was great but the yellow jackets weren’t.

A good time for sure…and a good showcase for homebrewing.

When we started this blog site I was just getting into using BeerTools Pro as my brewing software.  I have since switched to BeerSmith and I am very happy.

My favorite feature of BeerSmith is the recipe organization.  I like the ability to organize recipes into folders, and all those folders are easily accessed through a side panel in the main window. You can also select recipes to view just as a recipe sheet without having to dive into recipe editing mode.

BeerSmith has a very nice brewing log and calender feature for scheduling and tracking events such as fermentation, racking and conditioning (which I have tinkered with, but don’t really use).

There is a shopping list feature which has been a great way to make a list, print it and head to the local shop to get stuff.

If you buy ingredients in bulk there is an inventory feature.  I suppose that inventory feature would also be usable to track your leftovers too.  (Half a pound of this, 2 oz of that)

The limitations that I have learned to live with is in two parts.  First, graphically, its not as pretty as BeerTools.  BeerTools wins in this category over all other softwares I have seen.  The other limitation is that if you are building a recipe with 6 different grains in it, you have to add each grain separately from the grain database.  You can’t just open the grain database and click the 6 you want to add, then edit the amounts back in the recipe editor.  Its a little tedious, but you get used to it.

Overall, I find BeerSmith to be my favorite software this far.  They have good tech support and updates are available.  (Not the case with Promash).

For the $20 or so that it costs, its well worth it.  There are other online recipe generators on the web for free.  But I like having the dedicated software to store, sort and organize my recipes from. There is a free trial version to download, so check it out.

BREW ON!

Since it is the last Friday of the month, it is time for us to submit a post for the ongoing blog event – Fermentation Friday.

This month,  Travis at CNYBrew.com is hosting.  He poses this question:

“Remember why we brew?”

It’s a simple question but one that should be answered in a thorough manner. My one sentence answer is “Because it’s fun.” I think that’s a cop out.

There is the connection to history, both world and personal.

There is the pride you get when you have brewed a damn good beer based on your own opinion or by a certified judge.

Obviously, there is the notion that you just made something that you and your friends can sit around and enjoy. That is the ultimate outcome for brewing.

There are many reasons why the Brew Dudes brew….but because it is fun is on the top of the list.

It is a challenging and rewarding hobby.

You get to apply your math and science knowledge.

You get to use your project management and problem solving skills.

It tests your timing, patience, and creativity.

It can improve your attention to detail.

It’s an opportunity to learn.

It’s an opportunity to connect to other people.

These are all factors that make the hobby fun. There is a lot of stuff in this life that isn’t fun.

If we can have a few hours for something that fits into the fun category, then sign us up.

Don’t forget it.