Hello from Sydney

brdean · Post by **brdean** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 2:50 pm

Hello all,

Before jumping into discussions I thought I'd say a little hello. I'm new to Sydney but been brewing since I was 18 (34 now), I grew up in a mean ol' country that doesn't let people drink until they're 21, so I learned to brew good beer instead. I've brewed beer in Virginia, Montreal, cottage country Ontario, and now here. After 16 years, I just bought my first keg system, because I'm rightfully sick to death of bottles.

I'm all-grain, been doing that for about 9 years, but off and on as I moved around a lot til we bought a house. After my propane hose caught on fire a year and a half ago and near scared the bejesus outta me, I took a little break and decided to regroup. Now that our fixer-upper house is running pretty smoothly, I just brewed my first batch and built my kegerator.

(Put together with the standard Danby 4.4 fridge and stuff from OntarioBeerKegs.com)

I am a woodworker by trade and I work for myself. I was hosting people on couchsurfing.org and had one of your fine brewers stay with us the night, told me of your group, and here I be! I'm interested in the prospect of group-buy, and just shootin' the shit with other brewers.

Cheers!

Brian

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:01 pm

There are a couple of us in Sydney also brewing, we should exchange some brews!

Post by **mr x** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:03 pm

Welcome, and nice kegerator!

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:04 pm

I grew up in Sydney

homebrewcrew · Post by **homebrewcrew** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:05 pm

Welcome seems like you have a lot of brewing knowledge. I am looking at building a L-Shape bar in the near future so if you have any good plans that you have done for other people or yourself let me know.

jeffsmith · Post by **jeffsmith** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:12 pm

Love the platform on top of the kegerator as well as the towel hanger, nice touch!

BrooklandBrewer · Post by **BrooklandBrewer** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:17 pm

Nice to know there are other brewers in the Sydney area! We'll have to exchange brews sometime!

brdean · Post by **brdean** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:25 pm

Bryan, that'd be great!

Thanks for the welcomes, everyone, and it's nice to see such an active forum.

hombrewcrew, I build just about anything, but never done a bar yet (would be sweet). If you were in Sydney I'd be right over to check out your situation, I love that kinda stuff...

jeffsmith, thanks and holy crap: bourbon vanilla oatmeal coffee porter, how's she taste?

brdean · Post by **brdean** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:28 pm

BrooklandBrewer, if you guys wanna start an evening every month and get together or something like that, if it doesn't already exist?

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:31 pm

brdean wrote:BrooklandBrewer, if you guys wanna start an evening every month and get together or something like that, if it doesn't already exist?

Nothing exists as of yet... but I'm game!

jeffsmith · Post by **jeffsmith** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:38 pm

brdean wrote:jeffsmith, thanks and holy crap: bourbon vanilla oatmeal coffee porter, how's she taste?

A bit too much going on. One is nice in an evening, but that's about it…

LiverDance · Post by **LiverDance** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:44 pm

I grew up in Glace Bay and my family has a house in Mira now. Next time i'm down we'll have to hook up for a pint somewhere.

KMcK · Post by **KMcK** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 4:06 pm

Bryan wrote:
brdean wrote:BrooklandBrewer, if you guys wanna start an evening every month and get together or something like that, if it doesn't already exist?
Nothing exists as of yet... but I'm game!

If you guys do get a regular thing together you'll need a clever name before you can get your own subforum. Start drinking and thinking!

spears104 · Post by **spears104** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 4:08 pm

Hi from Port Hawkesbury. I get down to Sydney every now and again and would be game for some trades. Welcome!

brdean · Post by **brdean** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 4:27 pm

I will keep that idea on the burner. Let me get some brews up and we'll make it happen guys.

Post by **LeafMan66_67** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:00 pm

Welcome! I grew up across the harbour in Westmount but now am in Halifax.

CorneliusAlphonse · Post by **CorneliusAlphonse** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:24 pm

KMcK wrote:
Bryan wrote:
brdean wrote:BrooklandBrewer, if you guys wanna start an evening every month and get together or something like that, if it doesn't already exist?
Nothing exists as of yet... but I'm game!
If you guys do get a regular thing together you'll need a clever name before you can get your own subforum. Start drinking and thinking!

cape brewtoners

Jmac00 · Post by **Jmac00** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:56 am

Welcome!!! i'm from the area and currently in transition of moving back. Hopefully once i get straightened out i would love to take part in a brew session to get a better grasp on the all grain process..

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:17 am

Jmac00 wrote:Welcome!!! i'm from the area and currently in transition of moving back. Hopefully once i get straightened out i would love to take part in a brew session to get a better grasp on the all grain process..

Perfect. Keep us posted!

BrooklandBrewer · Post by **BrooklandBrewer** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 1:32 pm

I'm game as well. Bryan and I brew together a bit and it's nice to see the hobby growing around here!

Jmac00 · Post by **Jmac00** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 1:40 pm

BrooklandBrewer wrote:Bryan and I brew together a bit and it's nice to see the hobby growing around here!

Lack of resources seems to be a big problem with the hobby there...but with more and more online resources i find it slowly growing. I've been in NB the past 10yrs, started brewing a few yrs ago...but there was always a few local places with supplies here....in CB not so much.

BrooklandBrewer · Post by **BrooklandBrewer** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:56 pm

I usually order my stuff from Noble Grape in Burnside. It's about $10 to have it shipped down and it arrives within a couple of days so that's the only saving grace for us Cape Breton brewers.

Jmac00 · Post by **Jmac00** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 4:41 pm

Yeah, i popped in there one time i was in the area and they were good to deal with...good selection, etc...and explained the shipping options.

on a side note, i'm surprised no one jumped in on the keg group buy...i'm guessing not many do the keg route?

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 4:46 pm

Jmac00 wrote:Yeah, i popped in there one time i was in the area and they were good to deal with...good selection, etc...and explained the shipping options.

on a side note, i'm surprised no one jumped in on the keg group buy...i'm guessing not many do the keg route?

I have 4 kegs myself... didn't see the group buy; next time!

Tony L · Post by **Tony L** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:24 pm

Welcome, Brian.

Great looking kegerator.