Expert: Alan Ward - 3/31/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
My wife wrote in to you a couple of days ago. She keeps telling me my microbrewery is disgusting, because I am too lazy to clean it properly. I am 26 and just started brewing. My father is full blooded German, and my mother is Irish, My father and grandfathers have been brewing for years and they have never heard of using detergents or cleaners to sterilize their brewing equipment. The only methods that they use is boiling water and scaling the vats which I do. I am trying to brew authentic ethnic beers German Bach and an Irish amber. In the ways of old which I brew for my own personal consumption I have no interest in modern brewing methods I prefer authentic old fashoned flavor and not much of that modern crap you get in a store now a days Jon
Answer -
Jon,

After your wife explained what you where doing I understood the method that you where using. While I would think twice before I used the same method I do understand why you brew in that manor.  I have a big problem here with the airborne yeast so I have to ferment in a closed system.

As I explained to your wife my only questions is why do you leave the spent grain to rot in the tub? I have read and done a lot of research but I have never seen where the spent grain was left to rot in an unused vat.  Is there a reason for that?

I support every man's right to brew in their own manor. As I explained to your wife the good thing about brewing beer is that you can do no real harm.  I might suggest dumping the spent grain in the garden as a compromise to your wife unless there is a reason not to. I do not know about your house but at mine if momma is not happy no one is.  

I wish you luck in brewing in the old manner. As for me I will continue to brew with sterile equipment.  As long as we enjoy brewing and the beer taste good I guess it really does not matter the process used.

Alan


My home is different I wear the pants I could care less if the missus is pissed you were asking as to why I let my unused rot in the tub well, decaying vegitable matter is rich in nitrogen and methane gasses well can I let you in on a little secret man to man I do it because it pisses her off.

Answer
Jon,

I bow to your choices.  

Also thanks for taking the time to explain why you leave the spent grain in the tub.  As long as it makes you happy then go for it.

Me I use mine to fertilze my hops and tommato plants.  I started growing my own hops about 3 years ago and I really enjoy using home grown hops.  I would love to grow my own grain but then I would need a lot more land.

Happy brewing.

Alan