Well, It's been a minute! We have gotten a lot of work done, but we still have a lot of work to go! The existing building that we are going to utilize was lifted and raised an extra 4 feet up with the help our friends at Arron's Lawn Service. Aaron is a great guy! Remember to shop local!
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11/10/2019 1 Comment What a Fall!How are we already into November?! Where did fall go? It has been a flurry and there is still lots more to get done! The next equipment acquisition is a little less exciting, but very much a necessity. I picked up two refrigerator/freezers for hop and yeast storage. You cant make beer without yeast, and yeast needs to be kept cool! I had one of my favorite helpers there to help me unload these two! He helped make sure the path was clear, and direct me where to go so I didn't hit anything (like my wife's car!)This last piece of equipment is very exciting, though! We got out heat exchanger for chill the beer after the boil. This bad boy should knock our post boil wort down to pitching temps in no time!Equipment is not the only thing that has been coming along nicely. Our conditional use permit with the City of Kasson was quickly and unanimously approved by the City Council. Not only did they grant us the use permit for the brewery, but it would seem the city will allow us some limited off sale for Crowlers and Growlers as well! This is a major bonus that we were not expecting! We also set up a site to be able to get some Chaotic Good Swag! Check it out HERE or on the Swag and Apparel page of our site!The bad new....we got a very early freeze! With now! This is a major bummer because we still have some trenching to dig to run water and sewer lines, and we have concrete to pour! None of these are easy with the ground frozen. If we get a warm up at the end of the month, then we may be able to get this done yet in 2019, otherwise construction will have to wait until spring.So where did fall go? I guess it went into a lot of work, a lot of progress, and a few setbacks! But with each step forward we are a little close to getting beer on the shelf!8/6/2019 1 Comment The New Additions8/4/2019 2 Comments New Equipment Coming Tomorrow!When it comes to brewing beer, every home brewer worth their salt has some deeply held convictions. All of us home brewers also deeply ency the shiny beautiful stainless steel of out local pro brewers. Tomorrow, two of my sons and I will be headed on a road trip to get some new equipment. The new additions will violate some convictions, and it will not inspire much stainless steel envy, but I am excited about it.
I would love to fill my brewery with the fanciest, shiniest and prettiest stainless fermenters, but that just is not how I'm going to roll at first. (Remember, Chaotic Good, the beer will be excellent but I'm doing it my way damn it!) Tomorrow we are driving about an hour away to pick up two 60 gallon conical fermenters....plastic fermenters. now, plastic has its challenges. If the inside gets scratched then it becomes very hard or impossible to clean and sanitize. It has the possibility of picking up flavor or aroma from beers if not cared for properly, and it does not have the life span of stainless steel. However, it is perfect for my planned humble beginnings. First among its advantages, it is inexpensive. I can get 10 plastic fermenters for the cost of one stainless jacketed unitank. for someone starting up on a 1.5ish bbl system, keeping costs down initially is key. I have no plans of using plastic fermenters for ever, just for the beginnings. When I am done with using these as fermenters, they will still make great water storage, yeast propagation, chemical mixing etc. tanks. But as much as I am excited to add these pieces of equipment to the roster, I am even more excited for the adventure with my boys tomorrow! |
Scott StrohI have been brewing for about 10 years. With a background in chemistry, physics and engineering I quickly dove headfirst into the science of making beer. Over the years I have learned to find a happy medium between the art, the science and the joy of brewing. I am still working my day job as a high school science teacher, and will continue to do so until our Chaotic Good Brewing can spread. Archives
May 2020
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