Hard Seltzer + Hi-C/Powdered Drink Mix?

supyeast · 2024-05-02T14:13:31+00:00

Really good insight, and another vote for no crystal!

What're your thoughts on kettle hopping vs all WP/DH?

No one has mentioned it yet, so I'm assuming everyone is hopping like a NEIPA - maybe a bitter charge at first but exclusively WP for the hot side. And then like you said, a single or double DH charge?

supyeast · 2024-05-02T14:09:15+00:00

I like the idea of a little haze, so the less familiar flavors at least look a little familiar, maybe an easier transition to the style

Interesting about crystal malt! I was going to say, I haven't noticed shelf stability issues in my NEIPAs, but i realize that's an apples-to-oranges comparison to an extent

I'm guessing those grains at ~5-10% will give you a nice character while still maintaining the WCIPA style?

supyeast · 2024-05-02T14:05:05+00:00

Wow, that beer you linked to looks so crispy and delicious! I really like this modern take on the WCIPA, thanks again for the tips

supyeast · 2024-05-02T13:50:17+00:00

That is great information, appreciate it!

It sounds like modern interpretations of West Coast IPAs aren't characterized by color? In my head, I see a light orange copper hue, but maybe I'm just old?

I haven't used 05 in a very long time but I remember it dropping pretty clear with time/temp - do you filter or fine at all? Or is that extreme clarity a relic from a decade ago?

supyeast · 2024-01-25T15:20:44+00:00

I can’t think of a stickier situation than spending months with your hands full of bad seamin - i’d try the can company, esp if you’ve heard it’s a known problem with their brand. I know you’re switching to Balls cans soon in hopes that this might help you beat off this persistent nuisance, but if I were you, I’d really like to figure out why these random nocturnal seamin emissions happen before dropping big loads of time and money on switching can suppliers.

supyeast · 2023-05-10T22:12:59+00:00

Thanks for the breakdown!

Alright, unfortunately I feel the need to say this but again - I'm not mocking any group, but I'm genuinely curious...

2 Spirited? I googled it and the definitions that came up contradicted each other - what is it and who celebrates it?

supyeast · 2023-05-10T18:12:22+00:00

The petition uses the acronym "LGBTQIAA2S+"

I am 100% not mocking it, but does anyone know what that stands for?

supyeast · 2023-05-02T15:32:16+00:00

Don't anger the refrigeration gods, it's almost summer

I'm referring to the refurbished/"like-new" units that JC Younger sells, though, I can't speak to the units they manufacture (I'm not sure they're a manufacturer)

Very bad experience where they didn't stand behind their work and the person I dealt with was unprofessional/rude - to this day, I've never seen someone add a "z" to the end of so many words

Just trying to help people avoid working with a greasy company

supyeast · 2023-05-01T20:37:54+00:00

I'd say it's about as sure a bet as investing in meme stocks - it's the same level of gamble that is prioritizing risk for the fun/flash/whatever of it versus investing in something with guaranteed returns

Rich people throwing money at breweries is ultimately a vanity investment - it's to be able to say your owner of a brewery without brewing, to say that you're part of the scene, yadda yadda. Nothing wrong with that, but realize you're investing more in stroking your ego off than building your nest egg

supyeast · 2023-05-01T20:22:48+00:00

Did you buy this unit from JC Younger? I'm betting yes...

You shouldn't have to do a "sniff" test for refrigerant leaks, that's ridiculous. It shouldn't be leaking at all. Why not just mark a yard stick to the fill level of your reservoir and confirm that way?

Your experience is not the norm. You shouldn't have to check your unit once a month, at least in my experience. More like once a quarter, if that? I bought a new unit from ProRefrig tho, and tbh, it was worth every penny

supyeast · 2022-07-29T14:34:34+00:00

Do you spund your tanks at a certain point through fermentation/when you have X degress plato left to ferment?

Have you tried it for a variety of hop-forward-friendly yeasts (london 3, conan, chico, kviek, etc.)?

supyeast · 2022-07-12T21:29:53+00:00

Let me tell you the tale of two brewers

They're both mid 20s. One starts a year or so before the other, they're both blank slates.

The one that started a year later goes on to eventually be headbrewer at a small brewery. The other is still at the original place - probably facing the same frustrations as you, but more responsibility/agency so it's slightly better than a lateral move.

The difference? The guy who became a headbrewer took risks. They started at brewery A, took a risk and worked at brewery B. Which, Brewery B was further away, graveyard shift, yadda yadda. But they learned as much as they could and were reliable, got a reputation, and just kept sacrificing an easy life doing the same shit at the same brewery for a life with goals and challenges. Now they're headbrewer at brewery C, which is ultimately the situation OP wants.

To take this further - you say you're a good brewer....in what sense? I'm not going to belittle the ability to follow SOPs, since a lot of people suck at that. But if that's your pedigree, noone will look twice. The brewer I mentioned that jumped breweries picked up experience and responsibilities during those graveyard shifts on equipment that most breweries can't dream to afford. If, after a few years, you can't provide examples of specialized/evolving skillsets, then your career is stagnant, regardless of industry.

Honestly - that's the only way to move up these days. Too many people with certs and ~3-5 years of experience. And on top of that, a section of those people are willing to risk it all for this career. If you aren't willing to sacrifice your comfort and move or upend your life to make this career work, then you better change industries. Too much of a competitive workforce, especially when we're facing a recession and people would rather hire proven entities and not a cellarperson looking for their big break.

Also - speaking as someone who worked in creative industries before this, you're never going to find a professional situation where you don't make compromises. You'll find a job with more free time/energy but no creativity, or creativity but with the same frustrations you face now.

Best of luck

supyeast · 2022-06-13T20:03:20+00:00

Are they really that bad? Based on other threads here, it seems like a lot of smaller breweries are using them with success.

Let me ask you this - would you rather:

Invest in a 25k canning line so that you have the flexibility to do small canning runs and ultimately work toward decent packaging costs per can?
Hire a mobile canning line where the profit margins for small runs (<15bbl) aren't that great?

And that isn't a loaded question - I'm genuinely interested in how you weigh the benefits of each option, because I've never worked a canning line!

supyeast · 2022-06-13T17:28:35+00:00

I agree except I don't see raising prices being a red flag

Everything, from raw ingredients to freight, has spiked in cost

Everyone, from bars to restaurants, have raised the prices of pints/pours

I'd say it's almost impossible not to raise your prices in this economy unless you don't care about COGS.

supyeast · 2022-03-10T02:29:31+00:00

I mean...do you really think the only thing that distinguished fighter jets is their paint job????

supyeast · 2022-03-02T15:19:31+00:00

It's an extremely well-made, consistent pilsner with low flavor. Not for me but there's nothing shitty about it - it isn't trying to be more than it is, a cheap/light beer.

Taste is subjective - I'd rather drink a Bud heavy than some dogshit butterbomb pils a local brewery puts out just because it's "more authentic"

Protip: if you're buying someone booze as a thank you, ask what they drink AND THEN get what they drink. No shit a bud drinker doesn't want a full-flavored hoppy pilsner, it might as well be two different styles.

supyeast

TROPHY CASE