"Success" - The (Rottweiler) Porter and (Exploding) Hef Story

Many batches ago (Ok, more like 6) we set off to redeem ourselves from our Cream Ale mistakes and decided a Porter and Hefeweizen might just help us do just that. There were a few bumps in the road but the outcome was nothing short of pure bliss.

First the Porter...

The ingredients had been laying dormant for a while in the Heartache Brewing Company stock room (also known as the fridge) due to work and a TDY in paradise, so when our Wyeast #1187 Ringwood Ale Yeast smack pack failed to swell in a timely manner, we were a little worried. It just so happened that we were Tally that weekend for a graduation ceremony and decided to swing by a LHBS and search for a replacement. The Home Brew Den was more than helpful. The guy in charge there agreed with our yeast concern and recommended a liquid White Labs British Ale yeast substitute, just to be sure of yeasty goodness. While we were there and the fact that this was the closest full LHBS around we also picked up out our Hefe kit. Mr. HBD seemed very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions even if I happened to let on that knew more than I actually did. The Porter turned out awesomely and left no doubts to the naysayers that the Heartache has talent. Enjoy some pictures of the brewing and conditioning cycles below. You may also notice why we dubbed it the "Rottweiler". Loki, the house brew dog guarded this libation with his whole, working breed heart!
























Now for the explosion...

Our Hefeweitzen went very smoothly all up until I left it in the primary for a couple of days unattended while visiting Titletown. While gone, the White Labs yeast went crazy and blew up all over the beer's resting place and threw the airlock a few feet away (in pieces). This did not hurt the beer but just made one heck of a mess that was left for me to clean up. I wish I had taken some pictures of it but I was in too much of a hurry to clean and sanitize everything. At this point I realized we needed to invest in blow-off tubes for the cellar. They won't be a big expense and will absolutely serve a greater good. A post soon to follow will demonstrate these simple devices.

As previously stated, both beers turned out amazing and were the inaugural ales for the Heartache Draft machine, from this day forward referred to as the "kegeGATOR". Stay tuned for a "how-to" and plenty of pictures of how we turned an ordinary mini fridge into a suds spouting, marvel of stainless steel that serves up one seriously mean pint. Rumor has it that Tim Tebow only drinks beer from the kegeGATOR and Chuck Norris pleads to be allowed to sip from this heavenly fountain.

Cheers...