Hello from Melrose, MA

[DakotaRules]

Well I've been searching and using this site for awhile and figured it was about time to say hello. I moved from Denver, CO about 6 months back and am now working at a brewery here in MA. I've been brewing for about 3 years and am working on my 3rd system. Upgrading and replaceing from day one. Well as they say don't worry have a homebrew. If any local Brewers are near I would love to chat and possibly start local group of brewers.

 

[Daddymem]

Welcome! A bit far, but I'm from the southcoast area and we have a group, Southcoast Homebrewers Association. Which brewery?

 

[kappclark]

Welcome aboard -

I used to live in West Chester ... Go Eagles !

 

[DakotaRules]

I'm working for Blue Hills Brewery
http://bluehillsbrewery.com/
Check them out
Im covering the North Shore and expanding the territory.

 

[Daddymem]

I know them. Always wanted to stop in there after work when I worked up in Braintree...then I was laid off. I go to work on Cape now so maybe someday.

 

[Greyhound]

Welcome. I can't say that I've had any of the Blue Hills beers, but I'll be looking out for them now.

 

[crombie]

I'm from Weymouth and now I'm pretty interested in taking a tour sometime.

 

[DakotaRules]

We do brewery tours every Friday 3:30 - 6:30 and Saturday from 2:00 - 6:00 with plenty of tastings!

 

[Daddymem]

Any chance of a private tour for a homebrew group?

 

[DakotaRules]

Im sure I could work something out. Just PM me and we can start by getting a time and date estimate and go from there

 

[Daddymem]

Cool! I'll speak with the members.

 

[New2Brew17]

Well I've been searching and using this site for awhile and figured it was about time to say hello. I moved from Denver, CO about 6 months back and am now working at a brewery here in MA. I've been brewing for about 3 years and am working on my 3rd system. Upgrading and replaceing from day one. Well as they say don't worry have a homebrew. If any local Brewers are near I would love to chat and possibly start local group of brewers.

http://mvcbrew.blogspot.com/

This is a local group that I have started to meet with.

 

[I-Hop]

Hello from Revere MA.
It's good to see fellow homebrewers in the area. I would be interested in joining a local group. I'm sure it would be helpful to be able to pick the brain of other homebrewers in the area. I have been brewing extract kits w/ specialty grains for a while now and am collecting the necessities to build an all-grain system. Welcome to the area.

Keith

 

[DakotaRules]

Keith, I'm up in Melrose and do tastings at Blanchard's (15m min away). I am about to finally start brewing, as i have just about everything I want to control the process! This is my third set up and Im making the jump to pumps and chillers. I have always done 5 gallon batches and can let you know where I spent my money and where Im now upgrading and where I should have spent it at the beginning.

 

[I-Hop]

Thanks DR, I could use a steer in the right direction. I have accumulated 3 kegs with the tops cut off, a stainless false bottom and some angle iron to construct my stand. Being an extract brewer for so long, I am not all that familiar with all grain so I'm a bit unclear on where to go from here.

I go to Blanchard's in Revere. They have a great craft beer selection and they do tastings on Friday nights.

What do you do for Blue Hills Brewery? Sounds like a great place to work for a homebrewer.

 

[DakotaRules]

Thanks DR, I could use a steer in the right direction. I have accumulated 3 kegs with the tops cut off, a stainless false bottom and some angle iron to construct my stand. Being an extract brewer for so long, I am not all that familiar with all grain so I'm a bit unclear on where to go from here.

Do you have burners, tubing, connections, valving, and cooling just to name a few things. This is the longest period of time since I haven't made a brew because I really want to get my new system dialed in perfectly before I brew.

I go to Blanchard's in Revere. They have a great craft beer selection and they do tastings on Friday nights.

Yes Blanchard's is great, Rich (beer geek, beer buyer) is a great guy and knows his stuff on all the beers he brings in.

What do you do for Blue Hills Brewery? Sounds like a great place to work for a homebrewer.

I'm a sales Rep for them covering the I-93 Beltway and surrounding areas. It is a really good job for a home brewer. I can pick the Brew Masters brain and plenty of samples.

.

 

[I-Hop]

I have only one burner which I use for my extract brews. It is a 220,000 BTU burner and I love it. It has cut down my brewing time tremendously compared to brewing on an electric stovetop. My wife had bought it for me from www.homebrewing.org for a christmas gift. I've got some stainless valves & fittings that I have been accumulating but I was thinking of going with tri clamp fittings instead for sanitary reasons. Thats about it so far.

I agree, Rich at Blanchard's is a great guy. He knows his stuff and is very enthusiastic when he sees a craft beer drinker browsing his section. I havent been in for the tastings lately, been picking up my son from his aunts house after work on Fridays.

Sounds like a sweet gig you got going at Blue Hills. I've got a friend that is a marketing guy for Long Trail. He loves it. Gotta love the craft breweries. They put out a great product and you know they had to have been started by guys like us, homebrewing in their garages or basements.

Got any pics of your brewing set up?