Summertime
When I drive into Amana, and see license plates from all over the country, I know its tourist season. This whole week has been very busy, and will be so into school starts again. Its times like this that I wonder why the builders of the brewery put the only stairs to the cellar in the sales room. I have to squeeze by people lined up to get beer on my way in and out of the cellar. Well I guess everyone gets to see the brewmaster this way!
Yesterday Dan, our salesman, said he needs 60 1/6th barrels to fill all the orders he has for the next week. Thats way more than we usually have around at any one time. We are going to have to buy more! Its seems like this industry is really going to the 1/6 barrel (5 gallon kegs). I notice that even brand new bars don’t put enough room in the back for full kegs. They got 9 taps but not enough room for nine full size kegs. Its good for us, because we make more in selling 3 1/6th barrels anyway, but it does require more capital, since 1/6th barrel kegs cost the same (if not more) than regular 1/2 barrel kegs.
Today I order malt from Briess.. in the order are the grains for the first batch of Oktoberfest. I want to get it ready early, and also send it in to the GABF for judging.
Speaking of that, I have been thinking of making a special brew for our 20th anniversary. Any ideas? I was thinking of maybe making a Barley wine and selling it all to the ABD. But then I realized that we couldn’t sell it here becuase we don’t have a liquor license. As I read the rules there is nothing preventing us from brewing a beer over 5%, but we can not hold any other type of liqour license other than a class “B” license. We cannot even get a class “A” license to let us sell someone elses wine. But I could make a strong beer and sell it out of the state, no problem. I’m not sure if it be worth trouble though. I love Barley Wine and Dopplebocks though….