Noob from Ocala, FL...

[brettanomikey]

Hey, this is mike from Ocala, FL.

I've been homebrewing for about 8 months now. Since my first homebrew over Christmas I've brewed about a dozen batches. I'm a huge fan of Belgians and sour beers. Really I'm new to brewing and to craft/european beers. Ever since I went to my first tasting that included a Westvleteran 12 and a Rodenbach Vin De Cereal, I haven't been the same!

I'm very interested in brewing with brettanomyces and doing weird stuff like dogfish head. I usually get weird looks at homebrew shops, so I usually don't tell the clerk what I'm brewing. (A lot of purists in my area)

I listen to the old BN podcasts all the time. I haven't found a better resource than the Sunday Session. Ocala has no homebrewing scene so I'm working with some buddies to remedy that.

I'm 29 so I guess that's still young. I work as a PE Coach right now, but if some doors open up and I get to brew full time I will thank the Lord and dive in.

thanks
mike

[SpaceKadetKiwi]

hi mike welcome to the bn ^.^

[Crinkle]

Welcome Mike, enjoy the crazieness here. Lots of great people to answer questions and chat with, I learn something new here everyday! Enjoy.

[brewinhard]

Welcome aboard! I am a huge fan of brewing with brettanomyces both in secondary and primary. I currently have 40 gallons of sour experiments rolling along over the past 15 mos. Glad to see more interest in these crazy styles!

[TheDarkSide]

Welcome. Doesn't John Travolta live in Ocala? "My Hair...My Hair...Watch my hair"

Impressive start for only brewing less than a year.

[brettanomikey]

haha, yes JT lives in Ocala. It's hilarious, its our claim to fame, besides being the horse and lightning capital of the world.

brewinhard - nice, i have about 17 gallons of various brettanomyces ales fermenting. I was so excited when the first pellicle formed!... that was like 2 months ago, now I just have to wait. I'm pretty sure they wont be done before Christmas, and one is a Christmas Ale. Waiting sucks! I've never tasted my own sour beer so I'm hoping it all turns out good!
So what are you using to ferment them in? I am using plastic and glass carboys. Would love to get my hands on a 5 or 10 gallon barrel.

[brewinhard]

I typically ferment primary in either plastic or glass carboys depending on what I have open. I always age secondary in glass (usually with oak). Sour beers are fun to make b/c you can brew them up and while you are waiting for the finished product you get to have a year or so to brew all your other favorite styles for everyday consumption.