One of our biggest and best Big Brews so far! We brewed over 125 gallons of beer with a mix of over 20 brewers. Saw quite a few visitors, lots of great beer and food, and a few new members; not to mention the backdraft flare from a propane burner (mine actually), and a few 6-foot electrical arcs from the overhead powerline.
We had a toast later on from the club’s first Big Brew, Strong Ale of 14-15 years in age, provided by Prof. Steve Rowley. Pretty darn tasty! I look forward to sampling this Big Brew, made exclusively with East Coast yeast – mostly ECY08 Saison Brasserie blend.
Speaking of yeast, Al and Nina Buck proprietors of EC Yeast showed up personally to deliver the yeast. Note – the optimum temp range for the yeast is 75-85 deg. Personally, I would have to say this was one of the most active yeasts I have ever seen at a Big Brew. Bubbling like crazy in an hour or so – most remarkable as it was in my basement at 70 deg. (I have moved it upstairs since – didn’t realize how chill it was). Al and Nina whatever you are feeding them, keep it up.
If anyone wants to pass along data about their batch to East Coast Yeast, Joe (joe@solarhomebrew) would be happy to collect them. For the info to be useful, Joe needs mash temp, OG, FG and fermentation temp.
— Kevin Trayner