2 New Beers!

We will be creating a true American IPA this time, to be named later, and a Blonde Cream ale. Keep an eye out. We also will be making our own kegerator with a fridge donated by Mike from Ecohaul. Thanks again, guys!

Haystack Landing Hefeweizen sampling

We are all out of 2006 Earthquake IPA. We hope you had a chance to enjoy it.


We are now sampling the Haystack Landing Hefeweizen. We hope you have a chance to come by and try a pint with us soon!

Haystack Landing Hefeweizen transferred to keg.

The hefeweizen was transferred this evening!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!

Bottle this!

Bottled 5-2-06, baby! IPA.

Coming next - Tecova in kegs.

~D

Bottling

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

Labels

The labels were removed from the bottles on Butter & Eggs Day, 4-29-06. Don't ask me what else happened that day, because I don't remember much after hanging out at the Lagunitas booth.

~D

KEGS!

I just looked in the keg I already have and found a tap and hand pump inside! The question is... Does the IPA get kegged or bottled? I will still purchase a draft system and eventually a jockey box for when we take "Tecova on the Road".

Bottles vs. Kegs

The debate has gone on (hold on, while I grab a beer), (ok I'm back) about bottles vs. kegs. I have a keg, and my original plan was to bottle since it would be easier to transport. 22oz bottles are easier since there are less bottles. I may bottle some in 12oz also just so we have a few 12oz beers to carry around.

Well, that's still the plan for the IPA, but plans have changed for the Hefeweizen! I recently came across a cheap kegerator for $150, but I missed out and someone got to it before me. That got me thinking... I could make my own for cheap. I may have a lead on some cheap components on eBay. Just think of it as me getting paid back for selling my old brewing equipment at a loss, then buying new equipment again. This may make it all a wash. I will be purchasing a co2 tank, tap, hoses, and a regulator, as well as a second keg! If all goes as planned, we will be drinking Tecova Hefeweizen on tap in the California summertime weather!

Ok, I'm off to peel labels off bottles. Oh so fun! At least there's less since they are 22oz bottles!

Cheers!

Transferred to the secondary

The IPA was transferred to the secondary
fermentation container last night!

Fermentation

The beer started fermenting on Friday. We will transfer it to the secondary fermenter sometime this week. It's alive and breathing!

Brewing

The brewing has taken place.