Why Are Breweries So Popular?

Good morning. For those of you who aren’t Swifties, the Chiefs and the Dolphins played in the fourth coldest game in NFL history last night at -7 F (-22 C). You couldn’t pay me enough… well, I guess you could, which is why they were out there.

-Brandon Copeland

Why Are Breweries So Popular?

Breweries appeal to the masses - it’s a family affair, you can bring your kids, your grandparents, and even your “too cool” 21 year old cousin.

It’s not a place that you often see people getting irresponsibly drunk - most people come in, have a few delicious beers, and then head on their way. This is a fairly new phenomenon - in the past, you were forced to go to a bar if you wanted to go out for a drink, and you definitely weren’t bringing the kids.

Just yesterday, Bluepoint Brewing Company on Long Island, NY (known for their Toasted Lager) held their annual 10 mile race. This event fields 2,000 runners, and for good reason - at the end of the run, you head into a massive tent with free beer for all the runners. I can tell you from experience - there is nothing better then a good beer after running 10 miles.

Beer brings people together - it’s meant to be shared, and consumed with friends. Homebrewing is no different - we make beer to share with our friends and family, and to invite the classic question “Did you make this in your bathtub?”

Cheers to you, wherever you are in the world, even if it’s before breakfast - maybe if everyone shared a few more beers, the world would be a better place. And if not, at least we’d all be pleasantly buzzed.

Beer Trivia Question

🍺 What is the only national park in the United States that has a brewery on the premises?

Read to the end to find out if you're right!

Homebrewing Equipment Highlight

American Oak Cubes

This is a departure from our normal equipment highlight to present a homebrewing ingredient that is often overlooked. Most of us have been to breweries that have had big, barrel aged beers on draft. I always like to try these because it’s not something I can easily make - I don’t just have old barrels laying around to age my beer in.

However, I discovered these cubes when I was brewing a porter last year. If you add some of these into the secondary for a month or so, you will get a nice roasted, oaky quality to your beer that is reminiscent to a barrel aged beer. There are all different flavors/roasted cubes you can choose from, but I highly recommend trying it out to see how it alters your next brew.

Deal of the Week

Deal of the Day - MoreBeer

If you’re ever bored and want to see a daily flash deal on homebrewing equipment, head to MoreBeer for their “Deal of the Day”. Yesterday it was a CO2 regulator that was discounted - it’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.

Brewgr Recipe of the Week

San Francisco Treat

Still held on to that sourdough bread making hobby from the pandemic? Well, fire up that yeast and use it for this recipe. To be honest, I’m a little skeptical of this one - but if you’re the adventurous type, grab that sourdough yeast starter and use it for something 10x better than bread.

Credit: mpt2222

Last Week’s Poll: How Do You Add Aroma To Your Beers?

Last week’s poll was a mixed bag, as I anticipated - it really depends on the type of beer you are brewing, and how aromatic you want it to be. Adding a whirpool into the brew day can really up the quality of your Hazy IPA’s - dry hopping is still necessary, but you’ll notice a much more robust nose when you also whirpool effectively.

And the Answer Is...

🍺 Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is home to Superior Bathhouse Brewery which along with being the only brewery in a national park, it is also the only brewery in the world to use thermal spring water to brew their beer.

Having been there, I have to say it’s the highlight of the national park - great beer and no hiking involved.