Things have gone from strength to strength these past couple of weeks. The roofing plywood has been nailed down, the inside walls of the brewery have been fitted and the doors are nearly finished. Door hinges have been purchased but I am in the process of making them stronger thanks to our trusty MIG welder!
Yesterday as the weather was nice, the roofing felt was laid and the roof is now finished. However it faced its first test today with torrential rain and high winds. I am pleased to say it held up well. I cannot say I'm suprised as to flatten out the felt we had use of a 6 stone steel tube coupled with my 17 stone frame bearing down on it. That sounds wrong................
Anyway, in the next day or two I will be fitting the guttering and treating the exterior wood.
When will it end?!
Sunday 1 November 2009
Saturday 24 October 2009
My head hurts
Last night, the wife and I ventured off to the 2nd Chester-Le-Street beer festival and this morning I am paying the price......
I cannot remember the order that I had the beers but here goes:
Stables Brewery - Beamish Hall Bitter 3.8%
Wylam - Dognobbler 3.9% (possibly the best named beer......EVER!)
Windie Goat - Gutter Slab 5.5%
Consett Ale Works - Last Tap 4.3%
Consett Ale Works - Zombie 4.5%
Brewdog - Punk IPA 6%
Brewdog - Paradox 10%
The Paradox was the one that finished me, I would be disappointed if it didn't! It didn't give much away in aroma, considering it has been aged for 6 months in Arran whisky casks. First sip though, the whisky influence hits the throat followed by a nice sweet malt character.
A bit strange but worth a try at least once.
I cannot remember the order that I had the beers but here goes:
Stables Brewery - Beamish Hall Bitter 3.8%
Wylam - Dognobbler 3.9% (possibly the best named beer......EVER!)
Windie Goat - Gutter Slab 5.5%
Consett Ale Works - Last Tap 4.3%
Consett Ale Works - Zombie 4.5%
Brewdog - Punk IPA 6%
Brewdog - Paradox 10%
The Paradox was the one that finished me, I would be disappointed if it didn't! It didn't give much away in aroma, considering it has been aged for 6 months in Arran whisky casks. First sip though, the whisky influence hits the throat followed by a nice sweet malt character.
A bit strange but worth a try at least once.
Sunday 11 October 2009
Brewery Build MKII
Since the last brewing shed build update, things have gone from strength to strength. In the last 2 weeks we have gone from the base being finished, to all the rear wall and framework being treated and erected (oooh err missus!).
All that is left for the exterior is the remaining roof supports and the wood cladding. Following that, the interior is going to be finished with plywood walls and then the water and electrics to be connect and then.....we are good to go!!
All that is left for the exterior is the remaining roof supports and the wood cladding. Following that, the interior is going to be finished with plywood walls and then the water and electrics to be connect and then.....we are good to go!!
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Shiny, shiny, shiny!
Last week I took delivery of some more cornelius kegs, taking my total to 6.
Ohhh.....now the maths!
6 Cornelius kegs holding 19l each which equals approx 33 pints per keg.
So 6 kegs x 33 pints = happy days!
198 pints for my own consumption!
Now I have to make something to put in them........
Ohhh.....now the maths!
6 Cornelius kegs holding 19l each which equals approx 33 pints per keg.
So 6 kegs x 33 pints = happy days!
198 pints for my own consumption!
Now I have to make something to put in them........
Sunday 20 September 2009
Brewery building
One thing I failed to mention in my first blog regarding my brew shed, is that at present it is non-existant!
However that is changing on a daily basis, albeit very slowly.
As the weather was on our side today, we managed to finish the base of the shed. The building is both a brewhouse and a bog-standard shed so is quite some size. 24ft by 6ft to be precise!
The base is made up from 3.5x3.5 inch sections of wood with a 12mm plywood floor covered by the same plastic sheeting used for roofing. It might seem a bit overkill but considering the wood was free...................
However that is changing on a daily basis, albeit very slowly.
As the weather was on our side today, we managed to finish the base of the shed. The building is both a brewhouse and a bog-standard shed so is quite some size. 24ft by 6ft to be precise!
The base is made up from 3.5x3.5 inch sections of wood with a 12mm plywood floor covered by the same plastic sheeting used for roofing. It might seem a bit overkill but considering the wood was free...................
Thursday 17 September 2009
Bottling day
Yesterday I decided to bottle 25 litres of Sorceror's Gold that I got from my mate.
I normally hate bottling, but having just taken delivery of a new bench crown capper, bottle tree and rinser, I quite enjoyed it. Sure, the novelty will wear off but beer looks a damn sight better in 500ml brown glass bottles instead of 2l PET bottles. Look less of a wino. Took 3 bloody hours bottling directly from my FV.
Everything went smoothly except one thing...........................................................................................................................................................................
I over-primed each bottle with 1 teaspoon of glucose instead of the half-spoon I should have added!
At least they will be really fizzy!
I normally hate bottling, but having just taken delivery of a new bench crown capper, bottle tree and rinser, I quite enjoyed it. Sure, the novelty will wear off but beer looks a damn sight better in 500ml brown glass bottles instead of 2l PET bottles. Look less of a wino. Took 3 bloody hours bottling directly from my FV.
Everything went smoothly except one thing...........................................................................................................................................................................
I over-primed each bottle with 1 teaspoon of glucose instead of the half-spoon I should have added!
At least they will be really fizzy!
Wednesday 16 September 2009
The Soapbox Brewery
Well fancy that? A blog about one man and his shed.......
A man's shed is his oasis, a tranquil haven for which he can spend hours undisturbed, alone with his thoughts.
As kid I could never understand a man's need and desire for a shed, but as I've got older it is starting to make sense. It's a safe house, away from the wife!
My shed however, may be a little different to most garden sheds. You see, I've decided to build my own little brewery! Yes that's right, a brewery! I have the Saab's, got the beard and the gut so it seems a natural progression to start brewing properly. I think I'll draw the line at the pipe but I'll take the slippers thank you very much!
Hence,
The Soapbox Brewery is born!
A man's shed is his oasis, a tranquil haven for which he can spend hours undisturbed, alone with his thoughts.
As kid I could never understand a man's need and desire for a shed, but as I've got older it is starting to make sense. It's a safe house, away from the wife!
My shed however, may be a little different to most garden sheds. You see, I've decided to build my own little brewery! Yes that's right, a brewery! I have the Saab's, got the beard and the gut so it seems a natural progression to start brewing properly. I think I'll draw the line at the pipe but I'll take the slippers thank you very much!
Hence,
The Soapbox Brewery is born!
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