James Weed.

Home Town: Centerville Utah

I’ve been a homebrewer since: Oct 2012

Do you have a homebrewing disaster you’d like to share? I have had 3 fermentation blow the top off the lid. I keep them under the stairs now for big brews. Also I made a mint beer. The first glass was refreshing but by the second glass it was more like Listerine.

What is your favorite style(s) to brew? Smash beers

What style(s) will you never brew? none, I like to experiment. 

What was the first beer you ever brewed?  How did it turn out? it was a amber extract kit. Turned out ok.

What is your favorite beer recipe? bocks

Are you a BJCP Judge? No

Do you have a favorite homebrew trick or gadget that you’ve found to make your beer better/brewing easier, etc? I spray my kettle with water from the wort chiller to help cool faster. Fill the kiddie pool with heated water for after brew dip.

Describe your brew system. 15.5 gal keggle for mash tun, 15.5 gal kettle for boil kettle, 10 gal cooler for hot liquor tank. 3 step gravity fed.

How frequently do you brew? once to twice a month

What is your favorite malt?  Why? Mine that I make, or Maris Otter

What is your favorite hop? Why? Though I am not a hop head Mosaic is magic.

Do you have a favorite or house yeast? I keep a mix of Irish reds in the fridge. D47 for meads wines and ciders.

Do you have a good homebrew club story you’d like to share? I have only been to a few meeting since I work Sundays. That should change soon.

What haven’t we asked that you would really like to answer? Yes, I am opening Solstice Malt in Salt Lake hopefully in October. I will be floor malting base malts at first. If you know anyone who can help with an appreciation for beer, we should talk.

If you could serve your homebrew to someone famous, who would it be and what would you give her/him? Andre the giant, I would give him all the beer to see how much he could really drink.

Can you send a picture or two of some labels you’ve created for your homebrew? The wife makes cool labels for her brews. see photo

What’s the most unusual ingredient you’ve ever used in a brew? dandelion, spruce tips

Do you have any pets or kids named after beer styles or ingredients? no.

How many medals have you won from homebrew competitions? none

Do you brew alone, with friends or with someone you live with? Usually alone, unless someone wants to join.

Are you an indoor or outdoor brewer? outdoor

List some of the names you’ve given your beers. Which is your favorite? Forty foot ale (Spruce beer); Four inch ale (Dandelion Hef)