When did you start brewing?
There are four of us with differing years of brewing. Collectively, we have 143 years of existence and 25 years of brewing experience.
What was your first brew?
Two of us tackled an IPA on the first brew, one went wheat, and the other milked a stout.
Were you into craft before you started brewing?
Yes. We all lived in areas that helped pioneer craft brewing: Fort Collins and Portland. We are all drawn to the experience of craft beer and the fun events that often partner with craft beer. Who can turn down dirty cross stitching with a Double IPA?
How many brews have you done?
Carnally, thousands. In our own homes, 45ish
Do you have a favorite type of beer (style, brand, whatever) to drink?
We typically find ourselves in the company of IPAs, Exceptional Seasonals, and Saisons
Do you have a favorite type to brew?
We enjoy brewing IPAs with fun dry hop additions, sexy and intriguing dark stouts, and traditional styles with local flavors.
Bottles or keg system? Why?
Keg. Much easier,much more precise, less equipment, less space, and having beer on draft at home is awesome!
Besides being the fantastic four of home brew, what do you do for a living?
We see ourselves more like the Four Stooges than the“Fantastic Four”. To answer the question: Teaching Medicine, Teaching,and Medicine and Marketing.
Do you employ any aspect of your job into brewing?
Yes. Science is certainly an aspect that we bring into our brewing. We also always look at each and every brew day as an opportunity to learn from and teach each other. Finally, brewing is one of our favorite forms of creative expression, too.
Do you employ fermentation control?
Yes
Any tips/tricks you have picked up so far that you think we should not overlook?
Clean and sanitize everything. Then, do it again. Have fun! Do not take yourself or your beer too seriously. Clean and sanitize everything. Then, do it again. Check your temperatures. Take notes!
Is there a beer that is totally out there that you want to sample? To brew?
Barrel Aged Beers, Sours, and there may be a “glitter” of hope for something fun in the near future.
Do you have a DIY attitude in general?
Yes. When other people do something for you, they tend to expect money in return, and they don’t do it as well as you would have done it in the first place. If you have the time and the knowledge, do it yourself.
You have been with the club for almost a year now, what has been some of the best experiences so far?
The best experience so far has been enjoying and sharing good beer with each other. That’s really the whole point, isn’t it?
You are relatively new to the home brew club, but you four have already become a force to be reckoned with. What has been a major drive for your motivation and uniqueness?
Our only motivation is enjoying and sharing good beer with each other. We want to be a part of and contribute to the unique camaraderie that exists in the craft beer community.
Ales or lagers?
Ales
What about that style do you prefer over the other?
We appreciate a great lager, but ales allow for more variety, simplicity, and are much less time consuming. Brew 4 – 6 ales, or 1 lager? We’ll take the multiple ales, thank you.
English, German or other beer?
Yes
What is your favorite pastime aside from brewing?
Drinking beer. Oh, we also bike, hike, ski, paddleboard, love our dogs, visit craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries, and breed dust bunnies.
What is one beer you have discovered
that the rest of us should know about?
This depends on who you ask. Try these: Avery Czar, Casey Advanced Peach Cut, Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat, and New Belgium La Folie. That being said, we honestly believe that the best beer ever made and being made is home brew. Not many people will get to try it, but it’s a numerical likelihood that the best beer in the world is one that was made in someone’s garage, yard, whatever…
Any words of wisdom?
Have fun, and don’t be a dick.
Netflix or Hulu? Why?
Rabbit Ears. It’s a free signal and its fun having someone designated to move them to the correct position.
If you could meet one person in all of history (dead or alive), who would it be? What would you say to them/ask them?
We would have Queen Elizabeth tell Thomas Edison, “Don’t steal Tesla’s ideas, you tallywacker. You need to learn manners and eloquence.” Mother Teresa would be nearby silently observing. We would not disturb her silence, but would leave our best beer at her feet to enjoy. As we exit, Santa Claus intercepts us in his sleigh and ushers us to the North Pole for an eternity of brewing Gingerbread Stout to be delivered to all the good home brew girls and boys around the world.