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Yoh. Lots happening on the home brew scene. So many great brewers brewing so many great beers.
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Enough of that, on with the news:
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That’s it, we have passed the halfway mark! A scary thought but it’s been a year for beer!
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A heartfelt congratulations to Greg, Ryan and Adrian for cleaning up at BTS! By my reckoning, this puts Ryan and Adrian in the running for Brewer of the Year. Time for the rest of us to step it up for the next BTS!
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Shirts, caps and openers: Shirts are undergoing embroidery and will be ready likely before the end of the week. Caps and Openers are here, they will be packaged according to each individual order, labelled and ready to be fetched at the next meeting or from BeerBros after the next meeting. Apologies on this score good people, life has been interesting of late.
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How about that announcement from BeerBros last week?! Most of us owe Scott, Brad and Claire a very big thank you, not only for keeping us in grains, yeast hops and all the other bits and pieces, but also for shepherding us through our initial brewing journeys. Without Scott on the other end of WhatsApp, I would have despaired of my first brew in late 2014. Claire has been behind the counter and on the phone helping to manage the ridiculous home-brewer tendency to “panic order” and need their items post-haste, with always a calm and happy tone in her voice. Brad, your no-nonsense approach to feedback has always been appreciated! We will miss you guys being at the helm, but there’s a new captain at the wheel!
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With that, Adrian Ryley, we wish you the best of luck and know that you’ve got the stones to make it your own! Thanks for getting behind the wheel, you’ll be sure to have Durban Home Brewers along for the ride!
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This month we introduce a fairly new comer to brewing. He is full of enthusiasm (and beer) and he brews awesome beer. Ladies and Gentlemen, Meine Damen und Herren, Madodakazi Namakhosikazi, Mesdames et Messieurs, we give you Clifford.... just Clifford.
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Do you have a nickname and what is it?
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I have many. Corporaal Koos. Jinx. Ginger
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How long have you been brewing?
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How did you get into brewing?
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Same as everyone else I guess. I heard about it and read about it and watched friends make beer. After round 2 I was hooked and went forth and procured all I needed
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How many brews have you done?
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2 assists on brews. About 15 to 20 this far.
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3 tier old school authentic
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What is your favorite step when brewing and why?
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The mash in is best because you get to see the base of what you are about to produce. You also get to taste and the aroma is amazing
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What is your least favorite step when brewing and why?
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Anything after the wort is cooled.
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What is your favorite style of beer to brew and why?
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Favorite speciality malt?
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Best beer you have ever had?
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This is a tough one. I would have to say anything that's brewed with passion.
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What is your choice of pouring?
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Have you ever had a 'bottle bomb'?
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Not yet but been really close.
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Do you brew strictly to a recipe or do you tend to do your own thing?
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Recipie is that even how you spell it?
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Are you pedantic about keeping records of everything you do?
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For certain things like speciality additions and gravity readings.
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Favorite piece of equipment?
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What is the biggest lesson you ever learnt about brewing?
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Do what you want till the end of the boil.
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Has being a member of Durban Home Brewers had any influence on your brewing?
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Yes it has in a positive way by always having someone to talk to when needing that tiny bit of advice even if it leads to tons of puns.
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Tribute to 2 Legends of Durban Home Brewers
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Roughly five years ago, Brad and Scott, both eager home brewers decided to open a online home brew supply store as they, like others, battled to get ingredients and equipment to brew their beer. Not too long after that, they opened the store as we know it now. They hosted many brew days at their home and at Tops in Hillcrest, sharing their knowledge which has inspired many of us to brew great beer. They were also instrumental in starting Durban Home Brewers. Sadly due to work and other commitments they have not been able to pay as much attention to the business as they would like to.
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One day, an angel appeared.... sorry, wrong story... Adrian Ryley appeared and a, presumably, ale induced conversation followed. Before long lines were drawn, papers were signed and Beer Bros had a new owner.
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Huge thanks need to be given to Scott and Brad as due to their efforts, many of us got to learn to brew. We also got a rubbery ear to chew about our brew issues. I don't think you guys realise just how much you have contributed to home brewing in Durban. Scott and Brad, we salute and thank you for all you (and Claire) have done for home brewing in KZN. We hope you will remain a part of Durban Home Brewers and we look forward to your input over the years ahead and we look forward to seeing you more often at Brew Club meetings.
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Red Black - 27 June
Thanks to Red Black for hosting our last meet. Winners of the Stouts and Porters BTS were announced. Was nice to see Claire and Byron from Beer Bros attended for the first time, it was great to have them there. The announcement, Scott and Brad, informed us that Beer Bros has been sold. Good news is that one of our own is the buyer. Congrats Mr Ryley on your acquisition of Beer Bros.
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BTS Results
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In Third place was Greg Hardie's 'The Big Stick' Scoring 35.13 points.
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In second place, the new BTS Sponsor, Adrian Ryley's 'Tiramisu Dream' scoring 35.5 points.
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In first place, Mr Consistent himself, Ryan Swart's 'Cold Brew' with 36.25 points
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Next meeting - Republik Florida Road
Wednesday 24th July - 17:30 for 18:00
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Quiz night, come test your brewing and beer knowledge. You will be amazed at how much or how little you actually know. Cool central venue, lots of Craft on tap, pretty slick Burgers too. Pull in, crash a Crafty or two, chomp a burger or two, yak in someone's ear, share your brews you have made and have a good time in the presence of like minded home brewers. Open to all. Let us know if you will be attending by mail: info@durbanhomebrewers.com
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Sour beer time!
Lactobacillus, a bacteria which is not normally welcome in a brewery, is one of the organisms a brewer can use to make sour beer. There are more than 100 species of Lactobacillus, many of which are used in the manufacture of other food stuffs such as yoghurt. Lactobacillus ferments sugars and primarily produces lactic acid, the compound that reduces the pH of beer and produces the sour flavour we are after. Lactobacillus also produces other flavour compounds, so your choice of species will affect your final beer flavour. Lactobacillus does not fully attenuate and will not produce much alcohol, so using yeast in your brew will be important. You have a number of techniques when using lactobacillus, from kettle souring through to secondary inoculation, each producing different sour characteristics.
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Part of the fun on this challenge is where to source you Lactobacillus. Malt grains are full of them, but they can also contain other organisms (be careful). Yoghurt or probiotics can be used to make a lactobacillus starter. You could also source specific strains from suppliers such as White Labs, but those are not so easy to come by locally.
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Choose your sour beer style, your souring technique and your source of Lacto and get creative.
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Judging will be held at the August meeting...
and judging will be done according to BJCP style guidelines. Remember, there are amazing prizes on offer from That Brewing Company for the top three beers.
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Prizes: 1st place - 50kg Pale Malt AND a R200 S43 voucher.
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2nd prize: 'That Brewing Company' T-shirt; a case of 'That Brewery' beer AND R100 voucher for S43
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3rd prize: a case of 'That Brewery' beer and a 'That Brewing Company' cap.
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All this just for doing what you love doing, brewing beer. How can you go wrong.
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Challenges for the rest of 2019:
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August - Lacto Brew – brewing with Lactobacillus
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November - Wood Aged Beer
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Judging will be done in September - Open Style
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As this BTS has very different criteria to normal BTS events, we are making sure that all angles in terms of judging and deciding whose beer gets selected for Clarens are covered. Some lucky brewers beer will be selected to be brewed by Nguni Brewery for Clarens festival in Feb 2020. Keep a close record on you brew recipe and processes. Note that to qualify to win the Clarens incentive, you must be a paid up member and your recipe needs to be commercially viable. In other words affordable to upscale to a 3000 liter batch. Watch this space for more details... we will send out a special edition so you know how the comp will work.
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BEER BROS BTS 2019:
- September 2019 - OPEN Style, Freestyle, free range, you choose. BUT, you need to take careful notes and records as the first placed PAID member of this competition will have their beer brewed by NGUNI Brewery for CLAREN'S beer fest in 2020. That is an awesome prize!!
- December 2019 - IPA, APA and Pale Ales.
Brewer of the year scores:
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Reds |
Stouts |
Open |
IPA |
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| Brewer |
score |
Score |
Score |
Score |
Score |
| Ryan Swart |
34,88 |
36,25 |
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71,13 |
| Greg Hardie |
35,50 |
35,13 |
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70,63 |
| Adrian Ryley |
34,25 |
35,50 |
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69,75 |
| JP Otte |
28,50 |
25,75 |
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54,25 |
| David Lombard |
22,50 |
31,63 |
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54,13 |
| Matthew Coetzer |
27,00 |
25,75 |
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52,75 |
| Doug Berry |
17,00 |
31,63 |
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48,63 |
| Dave Harrison |
22,75 |
21,25 |
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44,00 |
| Schalk van Der Walt |
36,38 |
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36,38 |
| Seth Deghaye |
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34,88 |
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34,88 |
| Etienne van Tonder |
34,75 |
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34,75 |
| Warrick Van den Heever |
33,33 |
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33,33 |
| Thomas parry |
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31,00 |
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31,00 |
| Wade Potts |
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25,75 |
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25,75 |
| Andre Van Rensburg |
25,50 |
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25,50 |
| Jay Venter |
25,50 |
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25,50 |
| Clifford |
24,25 |
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24,25 |
| Anthony Desmarais |
23,75 |
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23,75 |
| Deon Bosman |
22,75 |
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22,75 |
| Claire Bevan |
17,00 |
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17,00 |
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May Quiz answers:
- New Zealand
- 4-6 weeks
- Southern Brewer
- Helles
- Pilsner
- Standard Reference Method
- Celestial
- Astringency
- International Bitterness Units
- Corn
- Lactose
- Japan
- Storage
- Minty, Peppery, Floral
- Saaz, Hallertuer, Spalt and Tattnanger
- Chile
- San Miguel
- Lupolus Humulus
- Dusseldorf Altbier and Koln Kolsch
- Magnesium or Calcium (both answers accepted)
- Raspberry
- Butter or Butterscotch
- Zymurgy
- Canada, Belgium, India, Denmark
- Duff beer
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Beer Bros - Under new management
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A word from the new owner, Adrian Ryley:
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"We look forward to growing the homebrewing community in Kzn and inspiring homebrewers to grow with our brand. There are big things coming and exciting announcements, new products, events etc ………. Watch this space!!!!
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We would like to thank the homebrewing community for all the support thus far and we would like to grow with you on your brewing journey. Providing new and exciting ingredients encompassing innovative ideas in the brewing industry."
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New times:
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Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm
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Saturday 7 am to 12 midday.
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Ales for Tails - 27 July 2019
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Ales for tales is back. Only 3 more weeks to go. There is time to produce a batch. Put a big SPCA Blue mark in your diary for this event. Make your pledge here and start brewing now!!
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Beer Boot Camp
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24th August 2019 - Johannesburg - The Big Smoke.
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So if you didn't make the Powwow, there is Beer Boot Camp. Beer boot camp is a full day symposium focusing on delivering a high quality educational experience to South African brewers and beer enthusiasts. Delegates will hear from leading brewing specialists from around the world, as well as experiencing practical sessions, beer tastings and of course networking and socializing opportunities. There is a awesome line up of speakers including Jennifer Tally, Fal Allen, Michael Ferguson, Clement Djameh, Peter Brown and John Keeling. Not sure who they are?? Check out their bio's and all the other beery info on the Beer Boot Camp website: https://beerbootcamp.weebly.com/
Let us know by reply mail if you are keen to go to this event. We are looking at sharing costs for transport and accommodation.
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Support SPCA
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Zap them a few Randelas with the Zapper Q-code below.
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