Continue reading »]]> I thought I’d toss up pics of the grain mill that I just motorized using a 90-VDC motor. Unlike AC motors, you have to use a power supply to control a DC motor, and on e-bay, gear motors that have enough torque at the slow RPM’s needed (i.e. more than 40 in-lb at 120 RPM or above) seem to be much more common in the DC variety. I picked up a used 90 VDC gear motor at 120 RPM with 50 in-lb of torque off ebay for about $25 and attached it to a Monster Mill 3 using Flexible Spider Shaft Couplings from McMaster Carr (I stole the idea from Chris Solito). You can run the motor using a plain 90 VDC power supply but these often how low current limits (i.e. 0.5 Amps) while my motor draws 1.23 A, so I opted for a KB motor control, model KBWM-120 with a 1.5 Amp fuse. These are fabulous controls because they come built-in with a power switch and speed control. You attach the four wires (two for the motor, two from the wall) and badabing! good to go. This was $80 on ebay, and while cheap knock-off versions from China are available, I trust KB electronics. $2 in scrap lumber from Home Despot, $16 in bolts and clamps from ACE Hardware, and a few minutes of jigsawing and it tore through grains in no time. I tested the mill with the hopper filled up before turning it on and it worked just fine.

Here is the finished product, with close-ups of the individual parts below.

Continue reading »]]> If you’re an AHA member (and you should be), elections for the governing committee are here. These are the people behind the scenes who work to set the direction for the AHA, advocate homebrewing , plan activities, and do countless other things that are important to us.

I received an email from Ron Price, a Delaware homebrewer and someone who I (virtually) know as the moderator of the AHA forum, and wanted to pass it along. He’s running for office and is focusing on getting more East Coast representation for the AHA.

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I have been thinking about the future of the AHA and how it will adapt to the recent surge in membership and newfound growth.
The AHA’s membership set a new record high of 30,000 members last month.
The National Homebrew Conference sold out in a record setting five days, and The National Homebrew Competition sold out in only two days.
If you ask me, that’s absolutely amazing!

We are witnessing a renewed enthusiasm in the homebrewing scene. The interest level has peaked.
I am seeing an increasing level of diversity within the craft beer scene across the country. We are seeing more and more craft breweries and brewpubs.
There has been a more recent epidemic of Beer Weeks cropping up countrywide.

I am real excited to see this recent growth pattern within our community. It is my hope to have a direct influence over the decisions that come to pass in these regards.
Have you ever heard of the expression “East Coast vs. West Coast IPA” ? Well, I have… and unfortunately there’s no “east coast” voice amongst the powers to be at the AHA.
It’s time to make a change, and that time is here and now. We not only deserve a voice in the AHA, but we have earned that right.

Let’s show the AHA that the East Coast really does matter by joining together and voting. This is how we will win!

This is where you come in. I’m asking you to spread the word and vote for an “East Coast” voice. Vote for Ron Price!

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/membership/aha-governing-committee/election/ron-price

Please pass this along to colleagues at your local homebrew club and let’s get the vote out!

Go East Coast!

Thanks for your support!

Cheers,

Ron

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Our friends in BaltiBrew are brewing up version 5 of their wildly popular ChiliBrew event.  For those who haven’t been before, this is a rock em sock em good time with both a homebrew competition and chili cookoff where the money raised goes to local charities.  This rendition of ChiliBrew will benefit Baltimore Free School, Bnote, and Bearings Bike Project.  The event takes place on Sunday, April 22nd from 1pm – 5pm at the Baltimore Free Farm (3510 Ash St., Baltimore MD 21211).  Is there a better way to spend Earth Day than with homebrew, chili, charity, and learning about some local organizations?

 Homebrew competition winners will receive brewshop gift cards: $75 1st-place, $50 2nd-, $25 3rd-, $10 each 4th- & 5th-place.  Chili cookoff winners (Vegetarian, Con Carne) will each receive prizes yet to be determined of approximate value as follows: $40 1st-place, $25 2nd-, $10 3rd-place.

Admission price is a $10 – $20 donation and I’ve been told that bringing a homebrew or chili for the competition may get you in for free, but please feel free to donate as well to these organizations as the money goes to a good cause.

Rules and an entry form for the chili cookoff and homebrew competition can be found on the ChiliBrew website.  Although there is no deadline to declare your participation, it is highly recommended that you email organizers to let them know you plan on coming.  That way they can ensure there’s a spot for you.

Hope to see you all there!!!

]]> http://csibrewers.org/content/?feed=rss2&p=1311 0 http://csibrewers.org/content/?p=1307 http://csibrewers.org/content/?p=1307#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:17:32 +0000 bosoxbrent http://csibrewers.org/content/?p=1307

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Our friends at the Pratt Street Ale House and C.R.A.B.S. are running their highly successful Clone Wars Homebrew Competition again.  Last year it was the 3 Lions that homebrewers were asked to clone.  This year it is the Dark Horse mild ale.

First place will receive the coveted tap handle, a $50 gift card to Pratt Street Ale House or Meridian Pint (winners choice), a sixtal of Dark Horse, and the winning brewer will get to brew a batch of Dark Horse with Steve Jones at the brewery.  The runner up will receive a growler filled with Dark Horse and a $25 gift card.

Deadline for submission is April 1st, 2012 and must come in the form of 2 – 12oz bottles.  They may be dropped off at the Pratt Street Ale House, Maryland Homebrew or Meridian Pint in DC.  Although the timetable is tight, we are assured that this is a beer that can be turned around in about 7 days, if kegging.

For more information including the Dark Horse recipe and submissions labels, please visit the Clone Wars page C.R.A.B.S. website

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CSI Members at the Belgian Beer Fest in 2011

It’s that time of year.  We are just a week away from the annual 72-hours of Belgian Beer Festival at Max’s in Baltimore (737 South Broadway, Baltimore, MD).

For those who have gone to this beer festival in the past, you know how legendary this event actually is and no matter what I say, you probably plan on attending.  For those of you who haven’t gone to this beer festival before, do yourself a favor and make it down to Max’s  for this epic event.  There will be Belgian beers and Belgian-style beers served at this event on draft and in bottle that you probably haven’t seen served in the US or will never see served in the US again.  For a review on the 2011 event, please see the write up Belgian Ben wrote.

The event is held from February 17-19, 2012.  Entry to this event is free and you pay by the beer.  You have the option of purchasing sample or full sized beers.  Doors open daily at 11am and it is highly recommended that you get there early if you want to get a seat or some of the more rare beers.

A large group of CSI members will be attending for the opening on Friday, February 17th.  The morning will start off with breakfast a Jimmy’s Restaurant at 8:30am and then we will head over to wait in line immediately afterwards.  If you plan on going and want to attend the breakfast, please go over to the CSI Facebook page and RSVP for the breakfast.

Finally, the draft beer list for this event is 90% complete and we have the latest version.  It is highly recommended that you do some research on the beers that will be available prior to attending.  You can find the latest version of the list here (Note:  List subject to change without notice):

BELGIAN BEERS ON DRAFT

Abbey Des Rocs Grand Cru

Achilles Serafijn Grand Cru

Achouffee Chouffe Biere Du Soleil

Achouffe La Chouffe

Achouffe Mc Chouffe

Alvinne Gaspar

Alvinne kerasus

Alvinne Morpheus Wild Undressed

Alvinne Morpheus Wild Undressed Monbazillac

Alvinne Morpheus Wild Undressed w/ Blue Boskoop Grapes agedin Bourgogne Wine barrels

Bavik Petrus Winter

Bavik Wittekerke Winter

Blaugies Darbyste

Blaugies La Moneuse Saison

Blaugies La Moneuse Special Winter

Blaugies Saison De Epeature

Bosteels Pauwel Kawk

Brugse Zot Blonde

Brugse Zot Dubbel Bruin

Cazeau Saison

Cazeau Tournay Black

Chimay Cinq Cents

De Dochter Van De Korenaar Belle Fluer

De Dochter Van De Korenaar Peat Oak Aged Embrasse

De Dolle Boskuen

De Dolle Dulle Teve

De Glazen Toren Canaster

De Glazen Toren Jan De Lichte

De Glazen TorenOndinke

De Glazen Toren Saison De Epre Mere

De Glazen Toren Cuvee Angelquie Aged in Whiskey/Pinot Noir Barrels

De La Senne Taras Boulba

De La Senne Zinnebier

De Landtsheer Malhuer 10

De Landtsheer Malhuer 12

De Landtsheer Malhuer 12 Aged in Bourbon Barrels

De Proef Draeckenier

De Proef Flemish Primtive

De Proef KO

De Ranke Pere Noel

De Ranke Saison De Dottignies

Deca Westoek X

Dubussion Scladis Cuvee Des Trolls

Dubussion Scaldis Triple Blonde

Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux

Dupont Foret Blanche

Dupont La Biere De Beloeil

Dupont Moinette Blonde

Dupont Monks Stout

Dupont Posca Rustica

Dupont Redor Pils

Dupont Saison

Duvel Single

Ellezelloise Hercule Stout

Ellezelloise Quintine Blonde

Geants Gouyasse

Geants Noel De Geants

Hof Ten Dormaal Blonde

Hof Ten Dormaal White Gold

Hofbrouwerijke Hofblues

Huyghe Delirium Tremens

Huyghe Delirium Nocturnm

Huyghe Delirium Noel

Jandrian Jandrenouille IV Saison

Jandrian Jandrenouille V Cense

Jandrian Jandrenouille VI Wheat

Kerkom Bink Bloesom

Kerkom Bink Blonde

Kerkom Bink Triple

La Rulles Grand 10

La Rulles Triple

La Rulles Cuvee

Lefebvre Hopus

Leroy Christmas

Liefmans Oud Bruin

Musketeers Troubadour Magma Special Cascade Edition

Musketeers Trounadour Special

Noel De Silenrieux

Palm Ale

Rodenbach Grand Cru

Roman Ename Cuvee

Saint Helene La Grognarde

Saint Helene Mistinguett

Scheldebrouwerij De Zeezupier

Scheldebrouwerij Lamme Goedzak

Scheldebrouwerij Oesterstout

Scheldebrouwerij Hop Ruiter

Silly Enghien Noel

Sint Canarus Triple

Slaapmutske Dry Hop Lager

Slaapmutske Hop Collection East Kent

Slaapmutske Triple Night cap

St Bernardus Christmas

St Feuillien Speciale

St Feuillen Blonde

Stillwater/Struise Outblack

Stillwater Jaded

Stillwater of Love & Regret

Stillwater Rule of Thirds

Strubbe Ichtegems Grand cru

Strubbe Keyte Dubbel Triple

Struise Pannepot Grand reserva

Struise Pannepot Reserva

Struise Svea IPA

Struise Tsjeeses

Struise Tsjeeses Reserva

T’ Gaverhopke Extra

T’ Gaverhopke Koerseklakske

T’ Gaverhopke Singing Blonde

Tilquin Gueuze

Van Steenberge Boucanier Christmas

Van Steenberge De Garre Triple

Van Steenberge Ertvelds Wit

Van Steenberge Gulden Draak 9000 Quad

Van Steenberge Monks cafe Flemish Sour

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The 2012 American Homebrew Assocaition annual meeting will be held in Seattle, WA on June 21-23, 2012.  If you are planning on taking part in the National Homebrew Competition at this event, here are a list of important dates that you want to keep in mind.

Online Registration:  Available mid-February 2012
Entry Shipping:  March 19-28, 2012
First Round Competitions: March 30 – April 22, 2012
First Round Results: May 4, 2012

For more information, including submission rules, fees, shipping information or drop off locations, please visit the National Homebrew Competition website.

Continue reading »]]> The H.E.R.O. homebrew competition run by DuClaw Brewing Company in April 2011 was so popular, they decided to make it an annual event.  That is right, our friends at DuClaw are once calling on local homebrewers to submit their finest original homebrewed beer for a chance to have it brewed by DuClaw Brewing Company.  The winning brew will be available on tap at DuClaw Brewing Company restaurants and sold at local beer merchants.  So here’s your chance to get some bragging rights with your buddies.

ENTRY DEADLINE: April 18, 2011

Rules:

1. This contest is open to all homebrewers. Three entries per person/group. Must be at least 21 years old to enter.
2. There is no cost to enter. Entrants must submit three 12-ounce bottles (PET bottles are acceptable). NO growlers.
3. Entries are open all styles of beer (ales and lagers) with the following exceptions: Wood-aged, Lambics, Sours and beers that utilize bacteria in the brewing process.
4. Although you are welcome to enter styles that DuClaw currently brews or have brewed in  the past, we strongly suggest that they be unique and/or differ from our beers in some way. We highly encourage creativity, but be sure to utilize ingredients that can be easily sourced for large scale production.
5. Entry deadline is 4/18/2012.
6. Beers will be judged by the brewery staff and due to time constraints, judging/feedback sheets will NOT be distributed.
7. There is no requirement to adhere to any specific style…again, we encourage creativity!

For more information, including the entry form and regulations, please go to:  http://www.duclawbeer.com/hero/

Continue reading »]]> The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has been dedicated to promoting the community of homebrewers and empowering homebrewers to make the best beer in the world since 1978.  They are the ones who lobbied and fought so hard to get the strict homebrew laws that existed in many states removed so that folks like you can be free to brew what you want.  They are also the folks who bring us the epic National Homebrewers Conference every year.

Beyond just supporting an organization that looks out for our best interests, the benefits are many.  First, they have a homebrewing publication, Zymurgy, that they release 6 times a year with all sorts of recipes, tips, and expert advice on homebrewing.  Next their website and forums are a great resource for all sorts of homebrewing information.  In addition to that you get special invites to members only events (one of which is at the Great American Beer Festival), discounts and freebees at various breweries and brewpubs, and a whole bunch more.  For more information on the discounts, check out the AHA Membership Benefits page.

Anyways, right now the AHA is running a special where if you become a member or renew your current AHA membership, they will send you a free copy of Terry Foster’s “Porter” book from the Classic Beer Styles Series.  Enter the Special Offer code Hail2Queen before checkout to redeem this offer. Offer ends February 29, 2012, while supplies last.

Registration or membership renewal can be done here.