Having only spent time partaking in the consumption of craft beers, I have long been saying I would like to spend time partaking in the production of beer. Queue awesome wife who decided that a gift certificate to brew beer of my choosing (or a least one from their list) at Brew By U Hunter would make the BEST Father's Day gift; she was right.
If you thought beer flowed from the divine skies (pictured left), or that a giant goat in Valhalla has an endless supply streaming from its udders (check this out), then you are severely mistaken. Dave, from Brew By U Hunter (pictured right), walked me through the whole process, and believe me when I say brewing beer is like some of these makeover shows; started out ugly, turned into a princess.
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Secret hops and spices (grains) |
After selecting brew number 125, the Belgian Special (similar to a Duvel) brew coach Dave got me started by measuring out the secret ingredients.
Filthy malt |
Make sure to strike up a conversation with Dave during this time or you'll spend an awkward 60 mins stretching the limits of your Facebook newsfeed.
From here, the brew is pumped through their cooling system and very quickly goes from 90 degrees to around 25 degrees before the yeast is added. Your brew spends the next 2-3 weeks being housed in its own fermenting drum inside the Brew By U Hunter cool rooms and the ingredients do what they do best; make heavenly beer. What was left for me to do was bottle and cap, so 3 weeks later I returned and did this ...
I know I've over simplified the process but I'm no master brewer (yet), I'm a beer consumer, and as a consumer this is what I know:
1. You take home a massive 50 litres of your own, personally handcrafted beer. If you can't picture that then check out my fridge baby.
2. A carton of beer contains 24 beers and the premium Belgian range are bottled in 330mL. So 1 carton of beer contains 7.92 litres and 50 litres is roughly equal to 6 cartons and 7.5 beers (I said roughly).
3. A carton of Duvel will cost you $142.99 (google it if you think I'm telling porkies), so if you wanted to purchase 6 cartons and 7.5 beers, assuming the price for the 7.5 individual beers is the same unit price as a single beer in a carton and you can purchase 1/2 a beer, then you'd have to fork out $902.71.
Now the alternative (prices used for comparative purposes only) :

2. You'll need to either bottle your beer or keg it. I chose the least expensive option of bottling, so they cost $80 for 100, 500mL or 133, 375mL sterile, reusable, pop cap not twist.
3. As BBU Hunter do not use any preservatives or chemicals (you could consider it organic) you'll need to refrigerate your stash, so a fridge large enough should cost you under $100 if you're savvy.
Let's compare:
Go to Dan Murphy's and buy 6 cartons and 7.5 beers of Duvel = $902.71
Go to BBU Hunter and bring home 50L of faux Duvel = $375
Knowing you saved $527.71 and you get to keep the fridge = priceless
The first thing I notice on the pour is the effervescence and lively carbonation, you can almost hear the beer singing to you. The head is slightly weak however I am expecting growth as the beer bottle conditions. The texture is smooth and extremely creamy on the palate. Upfront flavours are sweet fruity malt, floral notes, bold spiciness and subtle alcohol warmth given the 8.5% ABV. Finishes slightly dry with some residual spice.
Having gone through the process, I concede that the brewing missionaries have saved another soul from the commercial, and highly priced world of boutique beers. Valhalla goat awaits.
Brewskies and mugs,
David
Brew by U Hunter would like to offer 5% off one brew session to any (legal age) PKM reader who mentions this post.
Merry Christmas & You're welcome!
*Full Disclosure: Brew by U Hunter sponsored this post by providing the beer bottles!
Yum, I'm thirsty! I have a friend in Melbourne who took to brewing his own craft beer and it took over the whole house! Learning at someone else's micro brewery sounds good:) Thanks for linking with #TeamIBOT!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting post. Fitting for Melbourne Cup day too! I will not be showing my husband this post, lol. He needs no encouragement. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a beer drinker myself but my hubby is! He has had a long held dream to home brew but we sadly don't have the space (*cough* not)! lol That is a gorgeous photo of you and your husband! :-) xo
ReplyDeleteI know people who make their own wine- but not beer! I love beer, not sure I could chance the brew of someone doing this as a hobby at home - looks very interesting though xx
ReplyDeleteCan't say I'm a beer fan sorry! But I know a few people who brew their own, they are totally in to it. It definitely is an art.
ReplyDeleteWow it certainly is good value! My hubby is a bit of a beer-nerd too so he would probably love something like this for Christmas. Off to Google Brisbane brew-your-own-beer facilities - thanks for the great tip :)
ReplyDeleteZOMG I lived in North Freo for a year and LOVE the Little Creatures brewery. *sniff* I'm getting all misty-eyed now. I can't believe the value for money on the brew-your-own though. I am shite at cooking so I figure I'd be shite at this too. I explode cakes. I should not be let near this kind of set-up. Neighbours would probably think I'm running a meth lab.
ReplyDeleteI don't drink beer but my partner loves it. You would definitely be popular in his eyes lol!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so cool! I don't drink it (although I love it ... just got stupid food sensitivities).
ReplyDeleteLeanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
That sounds really cool! We are fans of Craft Beers too and my Dave (the ladies love a Dave he says ;) ) brings home a different type each week. A new craft beer bar has opened up near us recently. James Squire. Can't wait to abandon the kids one day and try it out ;)
ReplyDeleteHugzilla:Breaking Bad
ReplyDeleteI'm a massive fan of drinking beer! This looks like fun :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband used to LOVE to brew his own. He got quite good at it too though I dare say this would be better! I'll keep it in mind for his birthday!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and brother love brewing beer together it's really cute how into it they are and I love the results so I think that's a win-win x
ReplyDeleteI love a good beer. Lately we've been buying the pricier types of beer but having less. Completely worth it. This looks like a pretty inticate hobby but pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by the process in brewing beer. And the colour in that second last photo…perfection!
ReplyDeleteOh that looks like so much fun, and what a saving :) My hubby {David also!!!} has always wanted to try brewing his own beer...maybe one day when we have the space :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great step toward brewing your own. All David's should get into it.
ReplyDeleteI too love the science behind it. The beer turned out more amber than intended,
ReplyDeletebut you can't taste colour.
I've always been a quality over quantity guy. Now I get to have both. Totally worth it!
ReplyDelete@cybele cute and beer brewing...hmmm, not too sure about that. Sounds like they've taken the plunge into homebrew. Glad you are enjoying the results of their cuteness.
ReplyDeleteBe prepared to have him come home one day with a home-brew starter kit after he whets his appetite with Brew By U Hunter.
ReplyDeleteTotally fun and educational. Now you can be a massive fan with a massive amount
ReplyDeleteAbandon the kids, abandon life and brew some beer. No XXXX Gold should ever touch the lips of a Dave.
ReplyDeleteI think this would make a great gift
ReplyDeleteAnd you'd be equally as popular for giving him a fridge full of beer.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're the Heisenberg of baking. You'd have to be on meth to stuff this up. Those Brew By U Hunter boys know what they are doing.
ReplyDeleteBest wife ever I hear him say.
ReplyDeleteAgreed that it is an art, luckily someone else was telling me how to paint
ReplyDeleteThere are no stomping grapes needed here. The beauty is that you don't need to sacrifice your garage
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't describe a more perfect situation to brew with these guys. I'm time poor and don't want to sacrifice the garage
ReplyDeleteI found it a great way to learn and leave the hard work to someone else.
ReplyDelete