I cracked into my latest homebrew last night, a clone of Bells Two Hearted Ale, and I have to say it kind of sucks.  It’s not awful like the Wheat I brewed last year, but it’s deeply mediocre.  It has me questioning why I bother brewing beer at all – why put so much time […]

I wrote an entry the other day about Appalachian State University’s new chemistry class in beer making.  It got me to thinking about how brewing beer is becoming a more and more viable career option as the craft beer juggernaut continues to gain steam.  Then I found out how much the average brewmaster makes, and […]

That’s an “A” in my book… It looks like it’s time for me to go back to school.  NPR is reporting that Appalachian State University will soon have a carboy cozied up to their Agilent 6850 Series II Gas Chromatographer and a brew kettle bubbling next to the Dionex ICS 1000 (with anion exchange column, […]

True to my New Year resolution, I actually got off of my butt and brewed a beer this weekend.  It was the Bell’s Two Hearted clone I picked up from Northern Brewer in April of last year.  That’s right – this kit has been sitting around for almost nine months.  While that’s probably not a […]

Eight weeks ago I brewed my first beer from extract, an oak and bourbon aged porter.  It was an ambitious choice for a first brew, but the brewing was actually the easy part – it’s the waiting that has been difficult.  It had to ferment for six weeks, first alone and then with oak chips […]

My head is spinning.  It all started when Don was given the opportunity to use an acquaintance’s gear to home brew.  As many of you know, I’ve been wanting to start brewing as well, so I thought now is the time.  Don’s (probably) going to brew soon, and it’s something we can do together, with […]

That is the question that I wrestle with every so often. I love to eat great food, and this interest has led me to become an avid cook. I love the improvisation involved with putting together a great dish without using any measuring devices, just my senses. It’s creative, spontaneous and sensual. I also love […]