AHB Articles: Vic X-mas In July 2010 Case Swap

[fcmcg]

So what is the actual number of swappers ?
Guessing its not 28 ??
Cheers
Ferg

 

[manticle]

what kind of help needed? i have used failed with fents system before.

Really just someone to make sure I'm not doing anything stupid - someone I can check in with if I feel I need to and to answer any questions I might get asked that I'm not 100% sure of. I'll probably be fine - just need a beer or two for confidence.

I will add that if anything in Fent's system is automated/HERMS type, I'll probably withdraw my offer - if it's basically a larger version of my esky mash tun system with HLT and boiler/burner then no dramas.

No objections to aipa and fents' recipe? The 90 litres split among 7 brewers should give 12 L each. Having won the lottery and having a few brews close to finishing (brewing frenzy recently) I don't mind opting out if that gives other guys a bit more but in that case I will need someone to refill my glass from time to time.

@ wardhog - you're probably right. Just a bit of performance anxiety creeping in. Anyone can put some water in an esky though right?. Should be fine then.

@Ferg - currently 27 I think but beerdingo is looking a little wobbly so it may be 26.

 

[Wardhog]

I've just had quick look, and I'll have enough cubes for everybody wanting to take wort home. A quick blast with the hose before filling is all that's needed. They're empty Artisan Ale cubes from Grain and Grape, which I think are 18-19 litres.

Cubes are taken care of, no need to bring your own.

 

[Hutch]

what kind of help needed? i have used failed with fents system before.

Have also used Fent's system once (last July swap). Nothing to worry about, just VERY big, that's all!
We'll need an additional large pot or 2 as HLT, especially if we're going back to back.

As for ingredients, I think we'll be OK. I have plenty of grain/hops to contribute, as do several others on the wiki. Let's just nail down a recipe, and work out the details from there.

I like the look of Fents' AIPA suggestion, with perhaps a little Centennial chucked into the mix.
Back to back we'll get 160Ltrs / 8 cubes (of the 17-20Ltr variety).

 

[Fourstar]

Really just someone to make sure I'm not doing anything stupid - someone I can check in with if I feel I need to and to answer any questions I might get asked that I'm not 100% sure of. I'll probably be fine - just need a beer or two for confidence.

I will add that if anything in Fent's system is automated/HERMS type, I'll probably withdraw my offer - if it's basically a larger version of my esky mash tun system with HLT and boiler/burner then no dramas.

In other words you need a brewing foreman? somone to speak to if shit hits the fan!

And yes its a gravity system. :icon_cheers:

 

[beerDingo]

Manticle, yeah, i reckon Fents system might just be a larger version of your (not that I've seen yours). He just uses gravity, from urns, to esky, to pot. I have also put my name down to help, so with Hutch helping, we shouldn't have a problem. Except when 25 other brewers tell us that we're are doing it all wrong. Or we get too drunk :kooi:

 

[manticle]

Cool. If we do end up going back to back then plenty of wort for everyone. I'll still need my glass filled.

I may also need to arrange a lift with someone there and back. Sappas has offered but I'm pretty sure he's only intending to be there for an hour or two and probably not till later.
Anyone from essendon, brunswick, coburg, pascoe vale, carlton moonee ponds etc etc who might be able to help?

 

[WarmBeer]

Oh oh, not another one!

I'm nothappy with the beer I'd planned to swap. Not sure I want to hand it in.

I've got Pale Ale that I did about a 1.5 months ago, which I had as a possible backup, so depending on how that tastes out of the bottle, there MAY be another swapper wussing out. Hope not, but giving "ample" h34r: warning.

Mate, as long as it's not infected, just put it in anyway.

I know my beer is not great, but I'm only up to my 5th AG, so I'm hoping to use this as an opportunity to learn. I would love for it to have turned out spectacularly, knock people's socks off and open new doorways in the subconcience, but it didn't.

If everybody was to take the approach that they're not going to put anything in but a "perfect" beer, we're never going to get anybody in the swap other than people who have been brewing for years. I think everybody agrees, the best part of this forum, and the case swaps, is the community built around a common interest. How do you think people who are brewing K'n'B or new to extract are going to feel when they see 'I'm not putting my beer in the swap, cause it's not good enough'? Intimidated is my guess. I know, cause 2 years ago, as a lowly K'n'B brewer, I didn't put my name in for the case swap cause all the talk seemed too intimidating. This sort of talk prevents people contributing.

Some people might complain about "I'm not putting my double-decocted-imported-malt-triple-hopped-masterpiece beer in the swap if I'm getting an average beer in return". But, I doubt these guys were born knowing how to brew, and probably learnt through trial, error, and feedback from more experienced brewers.



FFS, it's only beer.

 

[Wardhog]

8 cubes (of the 17-20Ltr variety).

If I can claim the 8th cube, I'll assist Manticle drive Fents' system if he's agreeable.

(And provide the 8 cubes + a 50 Litre HLT)

 

[Fourstar]

I may also need to arrange a lift with someone there and back. Sappas has offered but I'm pretty sure he's only intending to be there for an hour or two and probably not till later.
Anyone from essendon, brunswick, coburg, pascoe vale, carlton moonee ponds etc etc who might be able to help?

I'm PTing it to fents place, but if you want to share a cab back to our neck of the woods i can just bail out at alexandra pde or something. A cab from fents area is roughly 35 bucks to my place so maybe we might go a 3 way home if interested?

That being said, if anyone else wants to join in the fun, i guess the offers open to a bypass via collingwood/fitzroy/clifton hill to brunswick?!

 

[manticle]

Could work out. Still need to arrange to get my swaps and extra beer there though - I'll check what time Sappas is heading out there.

Will 3 persons' swap beers plus numerous swap items (rhizomes, yeast slants and lottery bottles) fit in one taxi?

 

[Fourstar]

If everybody was to take the approach that they're not going to put anything in but a "perfect" beer, we're never going to get anybody in the swap other than people who have been brewing for years.

Looking at the list its the biggest (AFAIK) swap count to date.

There are a few new names there compared to the last swap and the swap prior. I get why people dont want to go into the swap especially if they are contributing tip-top beer or an expensive beer if all they are getting is dodgy beer in return. It's not really worth the effort. (my AIPA i swapped at beerdingos cost circa $60 as i wasnt bulk buying anything then)

The swap is designed for HB'ers to exchange examples of their 'finest' and shouldnt be treated as a opportunity to get free troubleshooting on their faults or an exercise to get some great home brewed beer at the expense of everyone else swapping. Thats what the swap day is for! :lol:

I also backed away from joining in the '08 xmas swap for the same reasons as you and the fact i didnt think my beer would have been up to scrach. i think thats a good thing that people have an expectation of quality. its how it should be.

I understand your standpoint (and used to agree alot with it) and im happy to swap 'not my best' beer (recipe issues/balance/etc) with others but certainly not infected dribble. I think thats a standard that should be kept. unless is a lambic swap. :chug:

 

[Fourstar]

Could work out. Still need to arrange to get my swaps and extra beer there though - I'll check what time Sappas is heading out there.
Will 3 persons' swap beers plus numerous swap items (rhizomes, yeast slants and lottery bottles) fit in one taxi?

i'll be collecting my junk the day after.

 

[wakkatoo]

But if anyone is coming from the yarraville area...and has room for me....don't be shy !

Ferg, I'm planning on stopping by grain and grape that morning(ish) probably around midday and could give you a lift there. Couldn't help out with the return trip tho as I'm catching up with a mate in Craigieburn for lunch on the Sunday.
Offer is there, PM me if you need the lift.

so maybe we might go a 3 way home if interested?

Not sure I signed up for this kind of swap! h34r:

 

[manticle]

It's not a proper 3 way if you leave your junk behind.

 

[Fourstar]

It's not a proper 3 way if you leave your junk behind.

yep, say no more! :unsure:

 

[zebba]

FFS, It's only beer

Go to hell, heretic.

I felt like crap after last swap with a few folks getting infected bottles. Yes, it was good for ME, cause it got me to look at a few of my processes and make some major changes, but I still felt like a dog.

I hope this time around I've made up for last time.

 

[Wardhog]

I felt like crap after last swap with a few folks getting infected bottles. Yes, it was good for ME, cause it got me to look at a few of my processes and make some major changes, but I still felt like a dog.

I hope this time around I've made up for last time.

If you've learned something and have improved your brewing since last time, the case swap has served its purpose.
I still expect to learn things from case swaps, that's why I continue to go in them. There hasn't been one I haven't learned something from, and I've put in a couple of duds as well.

Some people tend to think of case swaps as a competition. I think it's a learning excercise.

Also, I'm one of these types that enjoys helping people improve, to share what I've picked up along the way. If I can help someone make a better beer, I'm happy.

 

[brendo]

OK... so as I have mentioned previously, things have been a little touch and go with my case swap (given poor temp management at the start of the ferment). It has now been crash chilled, filtered and kegged/carbed and the end result is that it isn't as bad as I was fearing.

Sure the alcohol is a little hot (I always feared some fusels), but I think it stops short of being solventy and there is a really nice rich malt profile under there. I am spewing that I let it go, as I reckon it would have been a top notch beer. :angry:

I am going to elicit some second opinions tonight from some other knowledgeable brewer mates, but I think it will be a goer - not bad enough to warrant a scratching, but definitely below what I am capable of. Could be worse... it could be infected h34r:


Brendo

 

[Fourstar]

Could be worse... it could be infected h34r:
Brendo

Think about that cal common you brewed brendo. When I 1st had it before beerfest i thaught it wasnt top notch but an acceptable cal common. A few months down the track and she was a completely different beast and a bewwwdiful example. You have a knack of doing that bud and i woudlnt be suprised if your swap beer does the same. I'll make sure i hang onto it for a while. :icon_chickcheers:

You have the same approach as me it seems. First taste, freak out, second taste, realise it wasnt that bad. It also helps if you taste things with a neutral palate and have not been on an aeroplane for the past 12 hours.