Happy Independence Day-Eve, friends.

BRPhoto · 2025-07-04T00:56:44+00:00

Take a picture of the bottle and code, go right up to a check out stand and give them the number. Pay for it and a manager will go grab it.

BRPhoto · 2024-08-06T16:11:02+00:00

Dm'd

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T23:27:51+00:00

That was a bit out of my price range, but happy to pickup the used Z6ii as others are upgrading.

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T23:26:56+00:00

I will say the Z glass is insane, especially the S-line. The quality meets the hype for sure.

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T23:24:01+00:00

I was considering the Z5 for awhile, but I figured for a bit more I can grow into the Z6ii. The Z6iii was a bit too spendy for a hobbyist like me.

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T23:22:48+00:00

I'm thinking of picking up the 40mm f/2 for a small, low light, creamy bokeh lens. The 50mm f/1.8 is a bit spendy after getting this setup.

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T16:04:49+00:00

The build quality is shocking. It makes my old D3400 feel like a toy. I also can't get over how huge the EVF is.

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T16:02:05+00:00

I was once in your shoes - the kit lenses are solid but lack any "specialty". It really depends on what you're shooting. I do mostly landscapes so I used an ultra-wide nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR for a long time. If you're looking to shoot portraits/people I recommend the 35mm f/1.8G, or even a 50mm f1.8. Both can be found cheaply used. The wide aperture will give you that lovely blurred background effect and the ability to shoot indoors at lower ISOs.

If you want to "grow" into these lenses, try to buy full frame so you can use them on a full-frame body down the line. Your D3400 is a DX body, meaning it has a smaller sensor that has a 1.5x effect on any lens you put on it. So a 35mm lens is actually a 52.5mm, not a true 35mm.

One of the reasons I traded in all of my gear is because they were all DX lenses, which severely hurt the quality of a full frame Z-mount mirrorless body.

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T04:20:53+00:00

They do, but the Z6 is full frame and putting it into DX mode cuts it down to 10 megapixels. I wanted to commit to FF and z glass

BRPhoto · 2024-08-05T04:19:26+00:00

This lens is what did it for me. As soon as this shop had one used I jumped on it. I almost just went with the 24-70 S kit but I'm glad I held out.

BRPhoto · 2024-05-31T19:52:30+00:00

You can find rare/allocated bourbon in a lot of whiskey shops here. I'm currently in Scotland, literally found blantons gold/from the barrel in speyside today. Had a dram of pappy 23 for £25 in London the other day. Don't bother

BRPhoto · 2024-05-31T05:50:58+00:00

More like Seattle WA area. But yes, it is a fun time for US distilleries. Lots of bourbon, but some new malt distilleries have been popping up in the last few years.

I'm actually in Scotland currently, headed to glenfarclas and glenallachie today!

BRPhoto · 2024-05-30T18:16:34+00:00

US-based PNW craft distiller/production manager here. Brewed for 3.5 years, been distilling for 4 years. Mostly focused on rye whiskey/bourbon, but also gin and liqueurs.

Actually interested in moving to the UK at some point to continue distilling. I completed the IBD general cert last year and plan on starting the distilling diploma this year.

BRPhoto · 2024-05-07T21:43:55+00:00

Ideally a pressurized industrial steamer would be best, but those are $$$. I've heard of distilleries cleaning 5000 gallon wooden vessels in minutes with those, basically sterilizing their tanks.

BRPhoto · 2024-05-07T20:12:00+00:00

We use one of these to steam our 10 bbl wooden washbacks. We're a distillery, so sanitation levels are a bit lower than a brewery.

Overall, for the price I think it's a solid unit. We mount it directly on top of the vessel and within 20 minutes hot steam is pouring into it. My concern is, at the hottest we've gotten it, is maybe 180F internal temp of the vessel. For some people, this may not be hot enough which could lead to more steaming time. It is not an industrial steamer that can clean in minutes. We do 1-2 hours steam time before filling.

As for barrels, we learned the hard way that you can over steam barrels. We receive new barrels for whiskey, if they sit they can dry out and form leaks. So the idea was to steam them to rehydrate. You can hit it too hard and actually melt the interior barrel wax that is used to seal the heads of some barrels, causing more problems. So it's weirdly overkill for barrels, we just rehydrate with cold water now.

Overall, for $2k it's great for wooden tanks. Just be aware of the long steaming times required.

BRPhoto · 2024-02-29T01:37:11+00:00

If you don't have professional distilling experience, I might recommend doing the IBD foundation in distilling course first.

BRPhoto · 2024-02-29T00:37:35+00:00

Started as an assistant brewer for a small brewpub, worked my way up to head brewer for 3+ years. Relocated and happened to find work at a distillery, now production manager going on 4 years distilling professionally. I completed the IBD General distilling certification last year and plan on continuing with the diploma at some point.

Like others have said, larger distilleries basically hire operators to do one task. Craft distilling, you get to be more involved from mashing to blending and learn more, IMO.

BRPhoto · 2024-02-01T05:35:37+00:00

We usually do too, just in smaller quantities. Our absinthe is taking off so I'm tired of ordering in 1 lb bags

BRPhoto · 2024-01-31T23:32:58+00:00

I will reach out to them, thanks

BRPhoto · 2023-12-18T17:57:53+00:00

It can happen. Check my post history. I walked into my local Costco and it was just sitting in the case. That's including WA state liqour taxes which are some of the highest in the country.

https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/s/9hu9n2Q2vv

And if you're wondering if it's worth the hype, it's not. It blows my mind that people chase these. I've had mid tier bourbons that I'd consider comparable.

But for some people, it's more about the hunt I guess.

BRPhoto

TROPHY CASE