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A bit early to start a thread, however I wanted to share some information on the December meeting to gauge people's interest:

While at the Barley Hops and Mash event last month, I was approached by a local Ag producer who is looking to open a small malt house in the Annapolis Valley. We thought it might be a neat topic for discussion at our December meeting, allowing them to introduce themselves and their new venture.

While we haven't had formal topics or focuses at most monthly meetings, I thought this might be kinda neat. And perhaps it opens up the possibility for other (home)brewing topics in the future, from within or out of the BN community.

Thoughts? May I extend the invite to this person? No thanks? Ideas for more topics or focuses for future meetings?

ps. I can host, in Spryfield. PM for details.

Definitely invite them. Would be great to have a discussion topic that's really beer focused. Maybe it can be a private sampling of their beers?

I can't guarantee I'd be able to make it but I would definitely make an extra effort if a rep or reps from such a venture were to be invited.

It's a little hard to believe (although bear in mind that economics is not my forte) that a malt house could be viable in the region. That said, like a lot of other things I would almost certainly be willing to pay a modest premium for a quality local product. I'd also be very interested in learning more about the malting process and what their planned methods are.

Keith wrote:Definitely invite them. Would be great to have a discussion topic that's really beer focused. Maybe it can be a private sampling of their beers?

Misread this, was thinking it was a new brewer. but yea. Definitely would be nice to know of a local supplier.

mumblecrunch wrote:I can't guarantee I'd be able to make it but I would definitely make an extra effort if a rep or reps from such a venture were to be invited.

It's a little hard to believe (although bear in mind that economics is not my forte) that a malt house could be viable in the region. That said, like a lot of other things I would almost certainly be willing to pay a modest premium for a quality local product. I'd also be very interested in learning more about the malting process and what their planned methods are.

premiums could work out totally fine if we didnt have to pay shipping - who knows the possibilities (or maybe they are totally commercial-focused and there are none)

definitely invite them

CorneliusAlphonse wrote:

mumblecrunch wrote:I can't guarantee I'd be able to make it but I would definitely make an extra effort if a rep or reps from such a venture were to be invited.

It's a little hard to believe (although bear in mind that economics is not my forte) that a malt house could be viable in the region. That said, like a lot of other things I would almost certainly be willing to pay a modest premium for a quality local product. I'd also be very interested in learning more about the malting process and what their planned methods are.

premiums could work out totally fine if we didnt have to pay shipping - who knows the possibilities (or maybe they are totally commercial-focused and there are none)

definitely invite them

Considering they are wanting to meet with the club means they must be atleast interested in getting our business. i'm sure we could work out something with them.

I think it's a great idea to have focused topics. Malting is one topic that homebrewers typically don't have much experience with. I'll make an effort to be there!

I realized after my post earlier that I paid a couple bucks extra for Maritime malt in the spring group buy and that NCM claims that all the barley for that malt is grown in the Maritimes, so there's definitely some kind of critical mass of malting barley grown in the region. And having a local maltster would mean potential elimination of this concern from Jayme (from this thread about local ingredients):

Jayme wrote:There is a 'Maritime Malt' available through NCM... though I am somewhat against using it personally because it is shipped west for Malting and then shipped back when you buy it. I'd rather just buy malt that's been shipped once (simply due to environmental reasons).

It's certainly on the minds of people in other areas where both the local food and craft beer movements are booming as in this article about Vermont. Interesting that it's the smaller boutique places that are more able to leverage local ingredients than the bigger, more established breweries whose requirements for quality consistency and volume outstrip the local market's ability to serve them.

I also happened to remember another article I read earlier this year about a more "complete" farm-to-table model. The article touches specifically on how barley may not be a focus crop, but it can be part of a healthy crop rotation schedule and that such crops can find interesting homes if only people realize they're out there to be used. Makes me think that a local malt house could do "well enough" that maybe we can all take advantage of some truly local malt in the next few years despite not living in an area that's hugely renowned for growing grain.

chalmers wrote:A bit early to start a thread, however I wanted to share some information on the December meeting to gauge people's interest:

While at the Barley Hops and Mash event last month, I was approached by a local Ag producer who is looking to open a small malt house in the Annapolis Valley. We thought it might be a neat topic for discussion at our December meeting, allowing them to introduce themselves and their new venture.

While we haven't had formal topics or focuses at most monthly meetings, I thought this might be kinda neat. And perhaps it opens up the possibility for other (home)brewing topics in the future, from within or out of the BN community.

Thoughts? May I extend the invite to this person? No thanks? Ideas for more topics or focuses for future meetings?

ps. I can host, in Spryfield. PM for details.

I think that's a great idea. That guy hangs at Stillwell when he's in town and many would recognize him I think.

I'll be bringing a few beers to the December meeting, and I think it would be highly appropriate to open a bottle of Trevor's Decembeer #9 for the meeting

I'm bringing 2nd place Big Spruce American Wheat, Hoppily Ever After, and if the keg is tapped "Funktown APA" (hard to say)

Yea I think we should bring number 9 good call

I assume that the small local malt house is this: http://www.dailybusinessbuzz.ca/Provinc ... lt-house/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ?

Forgive me if it was mentioned earlier and I didn't notice...

Name wasn't announced that I seen, but from what I've ready online that's the only one and is new.

Hey should have called their launch party "Horton has a brew" and do up a Dr seuss looking character

Yes, Horton Ridge Malt is the company. I wasn't sure if their name was out there yet, so didn't want to spoil his announcement.

https://www.hortonridgemalt.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yea I seen Jeremy (Big Spruce) post something on facebook the other night about them. Really exciting to see, and considering they are coming to our meeting, I'm hoping they will be interested in serving our club. Reducing S&H alone would save us $9-$10 more, and could be made more easily accessible to the group. Mind you I think we'd need someone with a truck and provide gas $$$. But I'm in for that!

Keith wrote:I'm bringing 2nd place Big Spruce American Wheat, Hoppily Ever After, and if the keg is tapped "Funktown APA" (hard to say)

I just blew foam on the last half glass of my Big Spruce. Liverdance, could you bring that bottle of #1 to Tuesdays meeting? I was going to bring some to Derek as he was wanting to try it.

Derek if that bottle is long gone, I have another batch on now that will be ready in a week.

No worries Keith - you can give mine a try if you make it around.

Keith wrote:

Keith wrote:I'm bringing 2nd place Big Spruce American Wheat, Hoppily Ever After, and if the keg is tapped "Funktown APA" (hard to say)

I just blew foam on the last half glass of my Big Spruce. Liverdance, could you bring that bottle of #1 to Tuesdays meeting? I was going to bring some to Derek as he was wanting to try it.

Derek if that bottle is long gone, I have another batch on now that will be ready in a week.

I was mistaken Keith there is no No. 1 bottles in the batch I have.

LeafMan66_67 wrote:No worries Keith - you can give mine a try if you make it around.

I may be able to make it over earlier on. Wait and see what the day brings. I've got another batch on, so will put a bottle aside.
Just blew 2 kegs and I know the other 2 are low. Danger levels!

I've got a tube of Clarity ferm that I will not use that I was thinking of giving away for free at this meeting. Anybody want it?

If no one else wants it, I'll make sure it doesn't go to waste. But if someone else wants to try a shot at using it, go ahead I've got lots.


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mikeorr wrote:If no one else wants it, I'll make sure it doesn't go to waste. But if someone else wants to try a shot at using it, go ahead I've got lots.


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How frequently do you test your beer mike after you've added it? do you test every batch?

I'm DD from Sackville. Does anyone else need a lift from Sackville?
So far Mike, Derek and myself.

Keith wrote:How frequently do you test your beer mike after you've added it? do you test every batch?

I don't bother to test them anymore. Have used it enough (and had enough commercial beers that use it) to know it works.