Saturday, May 20, 2006

Keg Reconditioning



After picking up a used older Cornelius keg for a deal at Recycletown, that was missing a poppet valve and lid, I decided to recondition it. Finding that most new lids where $30 or more, I started searching for a cheaper used lid. I found one at a place that also had used kegs for cheap, called Brewers Discount. I ordered the lid and o-rings to recondition my keg, as well as the poppet valve. They just arrived yesterday, and I have reconditioned the keg. It's real easy to do:


1. Remove the inlet and outlet valves with a wrench. There is a long dip tube on the liquid (out) valve, and a short tube in the gas (in) valve.

2. Use some "keg lube" and lubricate the new o-rings, then replace the old ones on the tubes.

3. Remove the old o-rings on the top of the valves (I used a razor blade to cut them loose), and replace with lubricated new o-rings.


4. Lubricate the o-rings on the poppets and re-insert. I was missing one, so I purchased this and replaced it.

4. Lubricate the new o-ring on the lid, and replace.

I used colored o-rings for the inlet and outlet valves. I was unsure what the standard was, so I used a red for the gas (in) and a green for the liquid (out).


Coming next, we will attach the co2 line to the keg and test. Then we will keg our hefeweizen.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

New Kegs

The reconditioned kegs are ready to be filled. Homemade jockey box coming soon!





Haystack Transferred



Haystack Landing Hefeweizen, transferred to the secondary, 5-15-2006.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

The triplets:





Everything will change from here on out. This is the first time we have labeled since 2000. The pictures you see here are the first 3 bottled 22oz from the first batch of Earthquake I.P.A. More to come soon: Haystack Landing Hefeweizen in kegs, and Robotsonfire Red Ale. There's no stopping the Phenomenon now. Join us.

Monday, May 15, 2006

IPA



10-days didn't do it, but 14 days in the bottle, and the ground is shakin'.

According to Google, an Earthquake is:
"a disturbance that is extremely disruptive" or "shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth".

An unlucky 13th day, and the IPA is a phenomenon that is welcoming Tecova Brewing to the landscape of Northern California.

According to the brewmaster, he was tired of the lack of brews in his hometown and the unoriginality. There's more than one dog in town now. Are you ready? IPA sampling on Wednesday. All dogs are welcome.

Hey, now that's a fine I.P.A.! Do you sense a disturbance in the force?

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Haystack Landing Hefeweizen




Yes folks, we've brewed the Hefe. The Earthquake IPA is still not ready but we were so excited at our recent purchase of a second keg and our co2 system, that we decided to go ahead, so we could keg as soon as possible!

The IPA should be available for tasting by saturday, but at full flavor in 2 weeks.

We will soon keg the Hefeweizen. We're really looking forward to Summer!

Please submit your entries for our new name. A couple ideas we have are: Doto Brewery & Rohling Brauerei.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Kegs O' Plenty

Our kegging equipment is on order and should be here before we need it. That means we're ready to get started on our Spring release of Haystack Landing Hefeweizen. Keep an eye out for it in a keg near you!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Monday, May 01, 2006

Bottling

The bottles are now in transit to our cleaning facility. Once they are returned, we will sanitize them and begin bottling. Thanks J!

Battle of the Brews 2025

We're still here. We've been doing a lot more with Cotati Home Brewer's Collective , including events and will be at Battle of t...