Fermentation Friday, aka the Homebrewers blogging day, is back with Rooftop Brew hosting and the topic is Yeast. Ah yeast the misunderstood little engines of beer, notice your local brewery has a distinctive flavor yeah that would be the yeast. Whenever I convince myself a brewery uses a special malt or process to get a character I invariably learn later it goes back to the yeast. I am not really surprised anymore by it. For example I thought for a while that Fat Tire was using some particular roast malt to get a certain character out of their beer until I had their Sunshine Wheat at which point I realized that this beer had no roast malt and it was a yeast derived character that was giving me the flavor.

So yeast is in short the major flavor component. Over the years helping at homebrew shops I have had the chance to try their products on varying degree. White Labs was the regular yeast Homebrewers Outpost carried until the last year or more. Eventually they added Wyeast, which is the primary company you will find at American Brewmaster. They both make a fine liquid yeast product, Wyeast with the smackpack and White Labs with the tube. I know some people have trouble breaking the smackpack, I have myself even, but it does give a clear indication that the yeast is awake and ready to go as the pouch expands. Regardless of which you use there is quite often that they both stock the same base strain but under different name. This chart I have found to be very useful for comparing to find what you need to find a certain yeast, but are dealing with a shop that carries only one of the companies products.

On to the specific yeasts that I prefer...

Weihenstephan Hefeweizen - WLP300 or 3068 which ever you prefer it is the Hefeweizen yeast. There is no other, if you want to make that style of beer this is the ultimate and for good reason.

London ale or Worthington White Shield - WLP013 or 1028 I use it for my Brown ale and like the malt dominate character it brings out.

McEwans aka Edinburgh ale or Scottish ale - WLP028 or 1728 I like it in my Scottish of course but also the Mild ales I have experimented with like my Oat Mild and Heather ale, it has a great flavor.

Czech Budejovice aka Budvar - WLP802 or 2000 I use it for my Black Lager and would consider it for any Pilsner.

Then of course American ale WLP001 or 1056 - Solid performer, great character.

Beyond that I play with a lot of different strains all the time working at the shop, I have a dry German ale strain working on an Alt beer right now, so I really try to use them all as appropriate. The above though are my favorites. I would like to try my luck with a wild strain fermentation this Spring to see what the Raleigh area will yield me, but that will take some time for the fermentation look for a post on it perhaps this time next year. Happy New Year and new brews to all the Fermentation Friday community.

Last week I had the opportunity along with some of the other folks at American Brewmaster to get a preview look at Lone Rider Brewing. They are just a few weeks from releasing their brews, mostly just the paperwork details that need to be completed. But in January we should start to see their beers around the Triangle.

Mihir was more than generous with his time that evening. It is an unusual operation in the sense the owners have day jobs that they will continue to work as the brewery begins operations. They have hired brewer David Leeds to make sure the fermenters stay full, I didn't get much information on him but he has a good reputation among the Chicago brewing community I heard.

The thoughts that stood out to me when I entered the brewery was planning, money and care. To start off with the design was well laid out with good potential for future growth. The design should allow for addition fermenters and other equipment as it becomes necessary. It was also shown by the efforts to make pleasant design setting for the brewery. The walls have been painted and their has been a clear plan to how they are going to do things.
Last the 15 barrel brewing system looks great, but besides the system, there has been a lot of early attention to the details so they look right. One example I noted was the kegs they are using are all brand new and most have the breweries name stamped into them. I can think of many breweries that have been around for years that still do not have their name stamped on all the kegs they own.

The brewery had Shotgun Betty and DeadEye Jack available for a taste while we were there. Shotgun Betty is a classic Hefeweizen, with nice banana-clove notes and a healthy carbonation to keep the beer light in body. It hit all my preferences for the style being unfiltered, in fact none of the Lone Rider beers will be filtered initially. The use of white wheat and the classic Hefeweizen yeast in the beer was readily apparent and I am sure it will be a strong starter for the brewery. DeadEye Jack is their porter and hits the roasted character you expect from such an ale, but enjoy it this Winter as it's planned to be a seasonal release.

They will be offering tours on Friday nights, as a change from the area tradition of a Saturday brew tour. The logic being it will be a great Friday night activity for people at the Research Triangle and surrounding area. They won't have a taproom, but will be offering keg and growler sales from the brewery. Lone Rider already has a distributor who is ready to send out their beers all around the Triangle so look for their soon in your favorite area bar expect to arrive in January and February.

I meant to have some pictures along with this post but expect them after my return to NC.

I am not taking a computer along for the pending holiday trip to Arizona so expect light posting until after New Years. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and hope you get to enjoy so good times with friends and family over the next couple of weeks.

It seems like an Arizona beer week for me. Beaver Street brewery plans to expand to a second location and begin producing beer for the market in cans. This is a major game changing move for the Arizona beer scene for while the state has many great breweries no one has really taken the effort to go big in terms of production, but this maybe the company that can make it happen. I have been going to Beaver Street since they first opened and while the beers were not always the most exotic lineup they have always been well made. Also the brewpub has always been known for quality service and food on top of it. What has changed over time is that the owners have gotten more comfortable with trying new ideas in their beers and it's paid off with a Gold at last year's GABF.

Last April I wrote that for Arizona to have a brewery on the Top 50 list of breweries besides the current production breweries only a handful of names had a chance to make it big time, Beaver Street was on that short list. Now I am very hopeful it can become a reality. I'll be sure to see what else I can find out about this story when I am in Flagstaff soon for the holidays.

(Thanks to Jeff for sending the story to me)

In latest beer news for all my Arizona beer readers, Odell Brewing will be available in January. For further details you can checkout their site http://www.odellbeerinarizona.com/. While I'll miss them as I won't be in the state long enough over the holidays to sample them, I'll be sure to give them a try the next time I make it out that way.

I see you there you have a beergeek in your life, lucky you, but the holidays are quickly approaching. You are confused, you want to get them a gift that fits their hobby *cough*obsession*cough*, but you don't necessarily want it to be a bottle of brew that while is enormously enjoyed but lasts only an evening or far less. So the holiday season just call me Santa's Not-so-little helper as I help you find the perfect gift for the beergeek in your life.

First off New Belgium has new beer glasses taking flavor to another level.

Check out your beer geek's favorite local brewery gift shop, or that wall they hang all their tshirts and assorted goods on, it's always appreciated. Or if you don't have a brewery nearby a number of breweries offer online shopping options like Flying Dog.

Another great option is a bit of reading material for example
Good Beer Guide Prague & Czech Republic is now available in the States and would be a great gift for your traveling beergeek. Another option is Red, White and Brew, while I haven't quite complete the book yet for a full review it's a fun ride that will make the perfect gift for anyone.

A magazine subscription would be another reading material option. AHA membership includes subscription to Zymurgy. All About Beer has a great information base and is a good read. Last Draft magazine has a lighter beer content approach, but is a fun read.

If your beergeek isn't homebrewing, it's a fun hobby to get them started in. Kits can range in price starting at $100 and up. If they haven't been around the homebrew process before go light on equipment a basic starter and first batch of ingredients will be plenty. There are plenty of upgrades available down the road.

If you do want to get them something of a beer nature here are a couple of suggestions A Rather Curious Collection of Ales Bad Elf, Seriously bad elf and the popular one around my family Lump of Coal (Not that we have tried the beer yet, but well it's been a long promised).

Last Lost Abbey aka Port Brewing has a special release club. Pricey obviously, but I am betting well worth the money.

So here you go a few quick ideas, if you need more specific help leave me a comment and I'll try oblige.

Asheville finds itself back in the spotlight with not one but two articles in the papers. The first is an article from Friday that highlights Asheville Pizza and Brewing is beginning to bottle their beers. No word on distribution, but if they find their way to the Triangle area I'll be sure to let you know.

The second is more of a survey piece in today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, not really an in depth piece, but a good overview for those unfamiliar with the town's offerings.

Last of note Boylan Bridge has begun production with a Pale Ale, a Golden ale, and a Winter Warmer fermenting away. Mark mentioned they should be ready to tap in about two weeks so the opening is just around the corner. I am looking forward to a pint at the brewpub before New Years.

Calendar
Big Boss and Duck Rabbit Dinner at Brixx
Wednesday, December 10th - 6:60pm
Brixx Restaurant
Chapel Hill
Vegetarian beer dinner with Big Boss and Duck Rabbit Breweries at Brixx in Chapel Hill. It will be $32.00 and include a five course meal, as well as a reception beer. Each course will be paired with either a Big Boss or Duck Rabbit beer. You can find tickets at the Big Boss brewery while they last.

Big Times @ Raleigh Times
Saturday, December 10th - 6pm
Raleigh Times
Raleigh, NC
Two casks for one night only, stop in and sample Big Boss Brewery beers. Mark's Belgian IPA and the Winter Stout without the coffee will be available.

Carolina Brewery Tour
Saturday, December 13th - Noon & 1pm
Carolina Brewery
Pittsboro, NC

Big Boss Brewery Tour
Saturday, December 13th - 2pm
Big Boss Brewery
Raleigh, NC

Last if you know of a Triangle beer event and want to get word out send me the details at geistbear[at]gmail[dot]com.

It's not a huge article, just a brief interview but it's interesting to hear the head of what the largest craft brewer in the country has on his mind.

I hear people not always speaking kindly of them, but between the Longshot competition, their hop sales to craft brewers, and general efforts to support the craft and homebrewing community I think they serve a positive role in the community. They make some interesting brews as well.

This monthly on the Session the 21st Amendment asks "What does the repeal of Prohibition mean to you? How will you celebrate your right to drink beer?"

I had a full day at work and a holiday party to attend so it's late, but how did I celebrate it? I lived it. I helped people get started in their brewing adventure. I helped people find their ingredients to make their own beer and wine. I twittered about my appreciation of a newly found brew. I attended a function where beer was served, though the selection was bad so I had wine and a mixed drink, but there was a choice. Last as I sit at home and write this I have a tasty glass of this year's Anchor 'Our Special Ale' by my side.

Did I celebrate? I suppose so, I lived it.

Saturday night found me driving down a dark country road South of Raleigh. I had never been down the road so I had no clue exactly how it would lead me to the area's newest brewery. Eventual the road lead to a darkened airfield and a homemade sign indicating Aviator Brewing.

I turned down the bumpy dirt road, but I was confident I was near. Sure enough another sign a short ways down the road indicated parking and the only building with an active light had another sign above the door.

The night was still so the calm country air punctuated the moment before I went inside the airport hanger.

As the door opened into the hanger the scene became alive with a flurry of activity. The bar was filled with neighbors, friends, and well wishers to celebrate the opening. At the center of the party was owner and brewer Mark Doble.

He greeted me immediately and for his opening night had a guest tap and his Hot Rod Red. The Red turned out to be his take on an Irish Red ale. His had a bit more hops than normal and was quite tasty. The beer was young and unflitered so there was a bit of yeast still in suspension but that didn't bother me as a little yeast is a good thing.

Mark showed me around his system that is an amalgam of systems he's cobbled from California to Montana to here. The converted dairy tanks being used as open fermenters were the real star of his 10 barrel system. I have been reading about converted dairy tank systems since the early 90s but I think this was the first time I saw one actively used in production. It provided a homemade feel to the brewery and a unique character to Aviator's approach to brewing.

Mark said the bottling line should be arriving in the next week, but hopes to sell kegs mostly if possible. Aviator brews should be showing up in the Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, and Apex. The rest of the Triangle area will have to find it own way down to the brewery, but it's well worth the trip.