Chalkboard Paint Kegerator

Early last winter, I had a friend whose parents were dismantling a 1960s era trailer home, and he was kind enough to offer me the fridge for free sans a  half tank of gas to go pick it up. As thrilled as I was, the wife was quick to point out that the 60’s era mud brown did not match the decor in our basement, so before moving the fridge to its’ home behind my bar, I went after the outside with some 60 grit sandpaper to prep the outside for painting, which I’m promptly getting to one year later.

Since I’m completely out of homebrew at the moment (I had a busy fall), it seems like a great time to unplug the ancient Frigidaire, let it have a much-needed defrosting, and class this thing up. Here’s a before shot of the outside:

Read more →

Mashing In

It started, as so many things do, over a few beers.

My original brewing equipment kit from Midwest Supplies

My first batch of homebrew was in the fermenter, and I’d headed off to a buddy’s house to throw back a few pints and celebrate his birthday. On my way over, I stopped at the liquor store and grabbed a 12 pack of Summit Extra Pale Ale, my drink of choice when I know I’m probably going to have more than a couple beers but not so many as to compel me to cheap out with a macrolager.

As I’m sure every first-time homebrewer does, I’d taken a massive whiff of the hops I opened earlier in the day. While I contemplated the first sip of lukewarm EPA, my senses came alive having finally realized what it was I liked about that beer so much: the hops. I suddenly took notice of how the flavors played off one another, the bitterness from the hops balancing the sweetness of the malt, and the hint of caramel aroma underpinning the slight grassy notes.

In that moment, I knew that I was hooked. While my hangover waned the next day, I started down an insatiable quest to learn everything I could about making, drinking (hey, glassware is important!), and judging beer.

I have big plans for what I hope this blog will grow into, and I hope
you’ll come along for the ride.