Priorities are a pain sometimes....

Wanted to get going on the Helles bock this weekend, but SWMBO reminded me that we need to start setting up the seed boxes and grow lights to get the seedlings going for our garden. As I had promised this last weekend and forgotten, I can't tell her no, but maybe I can still squeeze a brew session in tomorrow.

Since the Roggenbier debacle, I've been a bit discouraged about brewing. I thought I had a pretty good sanitation process down, but now I'm starting to doubt that process and wonder if there isn't another possible source of contamination I'm going to overlook. I think it's just going to be a case of having to get going again and being as conscientious as possible about the sanitation procedures. Removing all valves, fitting, hoses, etc., and making sure they're all clean. I haven't had the heart to touch this beer since I noticed the infection because it's just such a letdown, but I guess now is the time. If this were a Brett beer I'd call that a great pellicle, but as it isn't, I'll call it what it is: garbage.

Winter Doldrums

Here in the Midwest, the weather is something that you just accept as being screwed up. For example, back when I was in high school, one day the temp was 90°F, and the next day it snowed. At least that's how I remember it. Anyway, brewing here in the winter is kind of something that you just accept as only happening when the weather gets crazy warm and everything falls into place - kids are off doing something, no errands to run or places to be, SWMBO doesn't mind...and lately, the weather has just been downright cold. Last time I brewed in the winter my chill water froze - in the hose!

As such, I've finally commenced on something I've been meaning to do for at least a year - put a collar on my chest freezer. Things have been so downright depressing of late that I needed to actually get something going that I've really wanted to do, and the best part is that the cost was really almost nothing (okay, that doesn't include the cost of the freezer, but that aside...) - the wood cost MAYBE $10 tops. Screws and such are a few dollars, so basically under $20.



I haven't finished with the gas and faucet connections, but plan on having my home brewed root beer on one tap (for the kids, of course), and two other taps to go along with the two on the mini fridge kegerator. Just killed off two kegs of Two Brothers weiss - one Ebel's Weiss, one Bonfire Dunkel - so it's looking like I need to get brewing again. If only the weather would cooperate....