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And then there was beer :). But before I get into all that, I just need to…talk…just for a second. Would that be alright? To say that the last few weeks have been trying would be putting it lightly. A bout with the flu (yes, this year’s flu vaccine is a bust), a syncopal episode followed by seizure, and a trip to the ER to see my dad the day after New Year’s…I really wouldn’t mind a little boredom in my life.
It’s almost been a year since my dad made the arduous journey from Indonesia to the U.S. to receive treatment for stage 4 metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and I still can’t seem to wrap my brain around the situation. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of keeping my emotions in check, but seeing my dad in the ER last week struggling for air, completely incoherent…it broke me inside. Especially when in his confusion, he was able to identify me – “That’s my son. Tim.” He couldn’t recall his own birthday or follow simple commands, but he knew who I was.
And as a new year begins, I can’t help but be reassured by Psalm 65:11 – “You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.” I also hope that when things don’t quite go my way, my response will be right – “Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes.”
So after a week in the primary fermenter, it was time to transfer the beer to a glass carboy, my secondary fermenter. Before making the move, though, I couldn’t forget the single most important step – sanitize EVERYTHING. Thank goodness for no-rinse sanitizer. Now at the end of Part I, I was a little concerned due to the lack of activity in the airlock, but once I popped off the lid to the fermenter, I was pleased to find a nice krausen ring on the sides of the bucket. I was pretty clumsy with the siphon (still learning the ropes) and probably exposed the beer to too much oxygen, but eventually I got all the beer into the carboy.
The hardest part of home brewing for me so far is all the waiting. One week in the primary fermenter, one week in the secondary fermenter, three weeks in the bottles… I know, I know…patience is a virtue. Actually, work’s been so busy lately that the week in the carboy went by pretty quick. After checking the specific gravity, I helped myself to a little taste :).
While waiting for all my bottling gear to dry off, I prepared the priming sugar. Once cooled, I poured the sugar water into the bucket and then transferred the beer to the bucket. I was a touch more proficient with the siphon this time around…not by much.
Using the siphon (hello, dear friend) and a bottle filler, I, with the crucial help of MJ, proceeded to fill 45 bottles of beer…45 bottles of beer, take one down, pass it around, 44…sorry, I couldn’t resist. I should have ended up with 48 bottles, but due to loss during all the transfers and my oversized tasting glasses, I was left with a modest 45.
So as the yeast ferment the priming sugar and carbonate the beer, I wait. Just a little while longer, and I’ll get to enjoy my very first batch of homebrew. I sincerely hope that my rookie mistakes haven’t ruined the final product. Until next time, my friends…
Prayers to your father and to you. Mr. B is a home brewer as was his father who passed on Thanksgiving morning. We shared the last batch his father brewed to toast at his memorial. I have to say, I love the smell that fills the house when Mr. B is brewing a batch. You should check out Brewtubers.com! He posts as Maxim and also has a YouTube channel here https://m.youtube.com/user/MaximAvs?desktop_uri=%2Fuser%2FMaximAvs Happy brews to you 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your home brewing at The Pin Junkie. It was featured at this week’s party. Hope you’ll stop by to grab a featured button and share another great project! https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/01/friday-link-party-50.html
My prayers are with you and your father/family. That is a lot to deal with, but luckily, God gives us the grace and the strength to carry on, even in incomprehensible situations.
I’m really excited to read your journey with the homebrew. I, like MJ, got my husband a whole set for his birthday not long ago. Today is the day we siphon from the primary to the glass carboy. I can’t wait!!! What flavor beer did you guys start out with? We’re doing a Live Oak Hef clone recipe now.
Thank you for the prayers and the kind words, Katie. It’s reassuring to know that we serve a God that knows all…even the things that make absolutely no sense to us.
Oooh…you guys are close to bottling. Will def need two sets of hands for that unless you got the upgraded bucket with the spicket. Since I got my kit in December, we thought it would be appropriate to start with a holiday ale (Austin Homebrew recipe) but didn’t realize the beer would have to sit in the bottle for 3 weeks :(. I’m handing out late Christmas presents now…
First off, thank you for talking about your dad and the trials you’re facing at the moment! As I read this post that one verse comes to mind…that all trials and tribulations are only momentary, and although it doesn’t feel like it (besides, who am I to say that, right?), the Lord will take you through this season victoriously. He loves you guys so much and will provide all the comfort you need! Truly hope your dad is feeling better right now~keep us posted if you don’t mind.
And wow, all this beer making shabannnng is tedious lookin’!!!!!
Thank you for the good word, sister. I know that our God is more than enough, and I recognize that whatever the outcome, God’s perfect will will be done. I take comfort in that.
Home brewing tedious? YES! But I’ve had a lot of fun. I really can’t wait to try out all the various recipes.
Thanks for the in depth tutorials. home brewing is something I am interested in. Warm and positive thoughts to you and your dad. Just try and remember the good times and how much he must love you.
Thoughts of my father and how he’s influenced my life have been consuming my mind lately. And thank you for the positive thoughts…can’t get enough of those these days. You should totally take the home brewing plunge! I’ve only done one batch and I can’t wait to do my next. It def takes some work, but getting that finished product is so rewarding.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father and hope everything is okay now. Sounds like you have been very busy physically and mentally and hope 2014 will get better and better! One of my friend is into home brewing too! He lives a bit far so I only see his photos from facebook. How fun to make beer at home!
My dad was discharged from the hospital earlier in the week. He seems quite defeated by this most recent episode but we’re just glad that he’s back at home. As for the home brewing, it’s been a blast! I’ve already given away a few bottles and received some positive feedback. Thanks for the well wishes for 2014.