Dan Hackley.

The Basics

Where are you from?
Sandy, Utah

I’ve been a Lauter Day Brewers member for:
About 14 months

Do you have a homebrewing disaster you’d like to share?
Tried making an Imperial Stout before i knew what a blow-off valve was. The dining room walls and ceiling were covered in beer and since I had no idea what to do, I dumped $80 worth of ingredients down the sink just to keep the mess to a minimum.

If you could serve your homebrew to someone famous, who would it be?
President Obama

List some of the names you’ve given your beers. Which is your favorite?
Bó Donn Dorcha Milk Chocolate Imperial Stout (Gaelic for Dark Brown Cow)

Brewing Experience

How long have you been homebrewing?
About two years.

What was the first beer you ever brewed and how did it turn out?
A Dry Irish Stout extract kit. I am sure I screwed it up but drank it anyway.

What is/are your favorite style(s) to brew?
Porters/Stouts

Do you have a favorite homebrew trick or gadget that you’ve found to make your beer better/brewing easier, etc?
Fast Pitch for making yeast starters. Takes only about 5 minutes as compared to 30 like I used to.

How I Brew

Describe your brew system.
Grainfather, Fast Ferment Conical Fermentors and a 3 tap Kegerator

How frequently do you brew?
About twice a month.

Are you an indoor or outdoor brewer?
Indoor.

Do you brew alone, with friends or with someone you live with?
Usually alone. The wife usually vacates the house while I do my thing 🙂

Do you have a favorite malt? If yes, what is it and why do you like it?
Weyermann Beechwood Smoked Malt because who doesn’t love a good Rauchbier.

Do you have a favorite yeast? If yes, what is it and why do you like it?
I have been REALLY happy with Imperial Yeast. They may not have the variety that others do, but I have actually had them call me and answers online questions I have submitted to them. Very customer friendly.

What’s the most unusual ingredient you’ve ever used in a brew?
Mahlab powder, a Mediterranean ingredient made from the insides of cherry pits.

What haven’t we asked that you would really like to answer?
Support your local breweries/brew supply businesses!