The Baby, The Fermenter, and The Beer
Hi There,
Sorry that it has been do long since I’ve sent out a newsletter – it has been crazy around the brewery lately. Plus, Kristy and I escaped for a few days. We didn’t get to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary last year, so we decided to celebrate both our 25th and 26t wedding anniversaries this year by doing the trip we didn’t get to do a year ago. But why have things been so crazy?
Well, our big news is that we recently added a 60 bbl fermenter to the brewery – which increases our production capacity by about 43%. To put it another way, that’s about another 287,680 more cans of beer – almost 12,000 cases each year. Or 215,760 more pints of Blood Orange. Needless to say we’re excited. However, that meant we had to do a lot of work to get that big boy in place. But it is installed now and, once we get it all hooked up, we’ll be filling it – very soon we hope.
On another note and, as many of you know, we will probably never open the brewery taproom again – at least not in the form it is now. We’re going to use the downstairs for canning and storage. But we are seriously considering moving the bar upstairs and reopening the it for private parties, meetings, etc. We’ll be calling it the “Brewer’s Lounge.”
Speaking of brewers, we just hired another brewer who will begin working with us in a couple weeks – part time for a while and then full-time this fall. His name is Weston Ring. More about him later.
We have moved the taps from the brewery taproom over to the Downtown Taproom garage and will soon (maybe even this weekend) have it operational. Believe it or not, we’ve been unable to finish it because of a shortage of 5/8” crimp clamps. Having taps in the back beer garden will allow our incredible beertenders to give even better service.
Want to know what we have up our sleeves for future releases and Thirsty Thursday beers? We may not be able to have a Thirsty Thursday release tomorrow. Our brew schedule was thrown into whack because we couldn’t brew for a few days because of the 60 bbl installation. However, we’re trying our best. If it works out (and the latest forecast is that it will) and because we’ve had so many requests, we will re-releasing 13 IPA. Butch Pale Ale will come back soon, as will a brand new, simply amazing pale ale that is on the lighter side but packed with great aroma and flavor. Once things settle down a little, we’ll be putting out our next bottle release – a barrel aged Belgian style Blood Orange Sour (yup, made with the Blood Orange you know and love). As Arte Johnson from SNL used to say, “very interesting.” For those of you who are fans of the original West Coast IPA style – after hours of research and scouring recipes from my home brewing days, we’ll be coming out with one soon. I think it is also about time we put out our Berliner Weisse again. What do you think? Here’s our biggest news: We’re going to release Lulu’s Lager in cans – most likely sometime in July.
Please note: We will (yes, we will) be open on July 4th with Bond as your host. However, we will NOT be open on July 5th – because we are having an employee party. It has been so long since we’ve been able to have one, that a few of our employees haven’t ever been to attend one. Needless to say, and I’m sure you’ll all agree, we have a great team. Kristy and I are very excited to be able to once again have a party for them.
That’s about it for now. Thank you for making it this far! If you have, the next time you’re at the taproom, say this to your server: I read Tom’s latest newsletter and thought it was “very interesting” (say it like Arte Johnson would have said it). If you do you’ll get $1.50 off your first beer through July 4th. Glad to have had rain – we needed it, but also very glad to have the sun. Today looks like a very good day to enjoy a nice beer in a beer garden or enjoy a Crystal Springs beverage on a deck (but be sure it is one you’re welcome to sit upon).
And the most exciting news for our little company – Ryan and Amber’s first child, Cody, was born last Monday, June 28th – 7 lbs 11 ounces, 21 inches. We’re all so happy and excited for them. Congratulations Amber and Ryan! And you too, Cody – you’ve got some wonderful parents.
Cheers, Tom
PS – This newsletter, due to circumstances beyond my control, has not been Kristy certified. I am totally responsible for its content.
