The Man

Finished up what is hopefully the last bit of paper work for the feds today. Our government helper is going to try to push things through in a few days-we'll see.
I attended the Minnesota Brewers Guild meeting last night at Rock Bottom in minnyapplepus.
Bryon had a nice selection of beers on. We reviewed the Autumn Brew Review and things went well this year. We learn every year how to make the festival better, so next years should be a great time. By the by, we are now a official member of the Minnesota Brewers Guild.
The exterior of our building has been completly changed in the past few days. I'll try to get pics up soon. Sure but steady progress. Stay tuned.

Malt is Here!

The malt room is full-whew! We have a door on the South side of the building that is usually used for loading in malt(when the building was O'Hara's), but it was being used to bring in the pool tables. So...I had to go the round-a-bout way to get the grain in. Seven bags at a time on the hand truck, through the upstairs dining area, down the elevator, all the way through the basement(it's friggin long) to the malt room. Let's see...seven bags at a time, eighty bags in total, that's eleven and a half loads-damn my back hurts.

Seriously, it feels good. One step closer to brew day.

Think I'll have a beer.

Unitanks Waiting for Beer

Logo

Dig the new logo in the upper left corner of the page.

Grain is on it's Way

We have our first grain order on the way and should arrive early next week. Nothing but the best malted barley from Belgium and the UK.
Here is a pic of the newly carpeted basement.

Getting Close

The carpet folks were in today making good progress. I'm going to do a malt order tomorrow or Thursday-just gotta find a two wheeler to haul it to the grain storage room. I'm really ready to brew, but I'm waiting on the Feds and state to get through the paper work.
I'm so anxious to brew I did my first batch of home brew in eleven years this last weekend. It's chuggin' away nicely. McCann's is a flurry of activity right now and it's got me pumped. Can't wait to pull on the rubber boots!

The Hops are Here!

Brown santa came today with boxes o' hops and some Belgian candi sugar for the first seasonal. One less thing to worry about.
Carpet is going in early next week. Hope to have a grain order placed mid week if all goes well.
Rumor has it the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is wrapping up the paper work and we could have a green light for brewing soon-cross your fingers!

Dining Room Tiled

The tile is all down in the main dining area. Just needs the wainscoting(I believe it will also be tile).

Another Pic

Here is the basement-painting almost complete.

Hops are Coming!

I got confirmation today that I have hops for the next year. This is very good news considering the hop market. I will recieve a nice variety to play around with.
I'm looking at moving water through the pipes of the brew house this week to make sure I have all my gaskets good and tight. I'm chomping at the bit to get brewing. I hope to have some new pictures of the interior progress soon.

From the Land of Amber Waters...

I wanted to give you all a heads up on a new book soon to be released. "Land of Amber Waters" is a coffee table style book written by Doug Hoverson. The book covers the rich history of brewing in Minnesota. I got a chance to look at it at the Autumn Brew Review and it's a keeper folks. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to talk to Doug about it. I am a bit of a history nut (my father was a history teacher) and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Doug will be doing a presentation and book signing at Summit Brewing Thursday, October 25th, 7-9pm. Sounds like there will be free brew and music. Wish I could make it, but I have tickets to the Fred Eaglesmith concert here in town.

This book is long overdue, so be sure to check it out at your local book seller.

I got the brew house walls scrubbed today. The basement has been primered and painting will soon follow. Carpet is due to be installed on the 22nd. Lots of progress.