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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer Birthday: Jay Brooks, Yes That One

March 3, 2018 By Jay Brooks

brookston
Today is my 59th birthday, and I’ve again been overwhelmed by an embarrassment of riches from well-wishers sending me notes via e-mail, Twitter and Facebook. My sincere thanks to one and all! As it’s usually me posting embarrassing photos of my friends and colleagues, here’s some more howlers of me from over the years.

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One of my first birthdays, with far less beer.

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A birthday in a simpler time, wearing my Y-Indian Guides uniform.

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I wish I still had this striped jacket.

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Not quite ready for cat ownership.

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Ready for my Village People audition.

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Death by Zerostat (only old time audiophiles will get this).

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Trying a beard. It didn’t last.

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I wish I could always make this face. The truth is I’m probably just reaching for some potato chips.

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Visiting Redhook for the first time on my honeymoon in 1996. This was before GPS and we had some difficulties finding it thanks, I maintain, to a faulty map (not my misreading of it). But here I’m pointing out our location on the map, having finally made it after a few wrong turns.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun, Related Pleasures Tagged With: History, Humor, Personal

Porter’s Porter Bottling Day

September 29, 2013 By Jay Brooks

porter-icon
A few weeks ago, for my son’s 12th birthday, we brewed his first batch of homebrew and documented the day as Porter’s Porter Day. The beer was ready to be bottled last weekend, but we only got around to it yesterday. It went surprisingly smoothly.

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Porter having some fun while sterilizing the bottles, which Vinnie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing was kind enough to donate.

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Both Porter and his little sister Alice were on hand to help.

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Alice seemed to enjoy filling the bottles.

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I worked the capper, but everybody contributed to the effort.

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Porter kept the bottles flowing, from the drying rack to his sister.

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But Porter also took his turn filling bottles, too.

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While I was really the only one who could use the capper.

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Eventually, we ran out of beer and filled the final bottle.

Our yield was about 8 gallons, which filled 57 sixteen ounce bottles, which are now bottle-conditioning in the beer cellar. In a few weeks Porter and I will be on the Brewing Network’s Sunday Show and I’ll taste the results, along with the rest of the adults on the show. Fingers crossed, hopefully it won’t suck. But either way, it’s been great fun homebrewing with my son.

Filed Under: Beers, Events, Just For Fun, Related Pleasures Tagged With: Family, Homebrewing, Personal

Porter’s Porter Day

September 8, 2013 By Jay Brooks

porter-icon
My son Porter turns 12 this coming Tuesday. In his dozen years, he’s visited more breweries than the average adult. He’s listened to countless tour guides, brewers, Daddy’s beer friends, and me ramble on about beer and brewing for his entire life. Apparently it started to sink in. A few years ago, he began asking me if we could homebrew together. A casual question initially, but his desire intensified over time and earlier this year I promised him we could start homebrewing when he turned twelve.

Regular readers will no doubt know at least a little about Porter. By age three, he barely spoke. We visited numerous specialists and eventually he was diagnosed as being autistic. I quit my job as the General Manager of the Celebrator Beer News to stay home and do whatever we could to help our son. We found a special pre-school, hired tutors, took him to physical therapy, worked with endless flashcards, and basically did anything we could in the hopes of changing Porter’s fate; we read so many horror stories about worst case scenarios that we were committed to preparing him for a best possible future, at least. Happily, he responded magnificently, and by the end of the first year he was doing well-enough that I started freelancing. That’s also when I started the Brookston Beer Bulletin. Porter’s progress continued, but we decided to hold him back from starting kindergarten for a year (primarily because we’d been convinced that all boys tended to do better in school the later they started). Whatever it was we did, at least some of it worked. Academically, Porter flourished. His math and science (scores and grades) were off the chart. And perhaps more importantly, he caught up in language. When people meet him now, they’re astonished to learn he once didn’t talk. He’s certainly made up for lost time. In his last round of state-mandated testing, he scored perfects on four out of the five math sections, and even managed three perfects in language skills.

His autism mostly manifests itself these days in social awkwardness — but then he has me (and Sarah) for parents, so that’s not too surprising. We notice little things because we’re hyper-attuned to him from years of closely monitoring his behavior and progress. But most people don’t, and he appears more and more like a typical middle-schooler each year. He plays in band, loves Minecraft and was an all-star in little league baseball, where his team won the league championship this year. He even has a girlfriend and several good friends, something we thought impossible as recently as five years ago. The other way that his autism manifests itself is that he’s incredibly detail oriented. Some might say anal retentive. He often takes things literally, missing the nuance of humor or sarcasm. But I’m working on him. But that attention to detail I also thought would serve him well in homebrewing. A lot of brewing is precision and consistency.

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I’d been eyeing Russian River Brewing’s pilot brewery — a 20-gallon brew sculpture from MoreBeer — and over time had asked brewer Vinnie Cilurzo how he liked it. I wanted to recreate commercial brewing at home, as best we could, for Porter to learn the brewing process along with the chemistry and science behind it. I spoke to Chris Graham, COO at MoreBeer, about getting a slightly smaller 10-gallon system for Porter and me to brew on. In anticipation of homebrewing, Chris recommended that Porter read John Palmer’s How to Brew. He made it through 18 chapters before he decided it was getting too complicated and felt overwhelmed. Chris and I lamented the fact that there were no books on “homebrewing for kids,” and suggested I work on the problem.

Because the last time I homebrewed was over twenty years ago (when I was a messy carboy homebrewer at best), I thought I’d ask a few friends if they would be willing to help. To my delight, everybody I asked enthusiastically agreed and we set a date, September 7. Vinnie Cilurzo, from Russian River Brewing, agreed to come and brew with Porter for his first time, and we concluded that his first beer most certainly had to be a porter. I thought we’d use one of Vinnie’s old porter recipes, but he surprised us by creating a brand new porter recipe, which he named “Porter’s Porter.” We also got some help from Rich Norgrove, from Bear Republic, Sean Paxton — the Homebrew Chef — and Dave Keene, owner of the Toronado.

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Since we were going to do all-malt brewing, our first job was milling the barley, which Porter’s sister Alice seemed to love doing. Along with some friends, she ran the mill and got ready about twice as much of the base malt as we needed, just because she was enjoying herself so much. She’s now talking about becoming a maltster when she grows up.

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The next step was weighing and measuring out the base malt and specialty malts needed to start the brewing. Porter weighed it out and kept track of the grain build.

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Then Vinnie and Porter started the homebrew and got things really going. If you noticed that camera in the corner, my friend Justin Crossley, from the Brewing Network, brought a film crew to record Porter’s brew day. He interviewed father and son, along with all of the helpers, and is planning on creating a short film about families brewing. After the beer is finished, we’ll take some to the Brewing Network studio, and everyone except Porter will try the beer for the first time on the Sunday show. Should be fun.

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Vinnie watching the numbers, while Porter measures the kettle, getting ready to move the wort for the hop additions.

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Porter making the first hop addition.

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Porter trying the sweet wort for the first time.

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Getting everything set up to transfer the wort to the fermenter using a counterflow chiller, while Vinnie and Rich lamented the fact that we had no glycol.

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Brewmaster Porter and his intern/assistant Vinnie Cilurzo posing for a photo after the brewing was done.

After a six-hour brew day, the wort was in the fermenter and we had to wait for the temperature to drop so we could pitch the yeast. In between, we drank some great beer, ate some tasty food, and enjoyed a beautiful day in Sonoma County. We can’t thank Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo enough for making Porter’s first brew day such a special one. He was thrilled and excited the entire day. In addition to Vinnie and Natalie, it was great seeing (and having the help of) Rich, Tami and Sam Norgrove, Dave and Jennifer Keene, and Sean, Arlene and Olivia Paxton. Five families getting together to eat, drink and brew. And thanks to Justin Crossley for recording it all for posterity. What a day!

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Porter’s Porter fermenting. Stay tuned to see how it all turned out in a couple of weeks.

Filed Under: Beers, Birthdays, Events, Just For Fun, News, Related Pleasures Tagged With: Bay Area, California, Family, Homebrewing, Northern California, Personal

7 Things

March 11, 2011 By Jay Brooks

brookston
David Turley at Musings Over A Pint punked me last week — in a good way, and on my birthday no less — by pulling me into 7 Things, an internet version of a chain letter. I’m sure it’s a coincidence, but 7 Things is also the name of a song by Miley Cyrus (a.k.a. Hannah Montana). Before you think I knew that little factoid off the top of my head, I did a Google search for “7 Things” to see what I could find out about it. The idea is “I’m supposed to write seven things that people might not know about me” and then bestow the same “honor” on 15 more unsuspecting bloggers. David also nominated fellow beer bloggers Tom, Lew, Eric, Jeremy, Brad, Julie, Thomas, Joel, and Edmond, though so far none of them have stepped up. So I guess it’s up to me to get the ball rolling. I’ve never been too shy about sharing personal details and I’m just superstitious enough to think I better do it … or else.

clothespin

7 Things You May Not Know About Me

  1. I’m obsessed with wooden clothespins. I even used to wear one every day on my collar.
  2. I write and throw with my right hand, but bat and play golf left-handed. I believe I may be partially ambidextrous. I can beat you at ping pong with either hand.
  3. Whenever I travel, I pick up small rocks to bring home as souvenirs. I try to find the most interesting and diverse rocks I can. I now have jars and bowls in the house filled with stones from around the world.
  4. I was active in the Boy Scouts when I was a kid, and even worked at the Scout Camp during the summer when I was in high school. I still have some of the council and OA patches I collected. I even have my bright red scouting jacket with the giant wolf on the back indicating my membership in the “Order of the Arrow” for the Minsi (now Kittatinny) Lodge 5. Once a geek, always a geek.
  5. Something like ten to fifteen years ago when I was struggling with whether or not to pursue writing more seriously, I wrote to one of my favorite authors, John Updike. Updike was born in the same small Pennsylvania town as I was: Shillington. Many of his earlier works were set in towns like Shillington, especially the Olinger Stories. He sent me back a hand-typed postcard that was very encouraging, which he signed and also wrote a note in the margin. I keep it framed in my office as inspiration.
  6. I have a half-brother and a half-sister but didn’t grow up with them. My father had a child with each of his subsequent two wives after he and my mother divorced when I was a year old. I used to keep in touch with my brother but lost track of him over ten years ago. I’ve met my sister two, maybe three times.
  7. I also have an e-wife. I was married in the early 1980s for just under four years. A somewhat funny side story is that the last I heard, she thinks I’m dead. About ten years ago I called a mutual friend of ours, who answered the phone by saying “hey, you’re not dead.” I thought he was joking because we hadn’t talked for a number of years, but it turned out he’d heard from my ex and she’d told him she thought I was dead.

So now you know.

Here are my nominations for 15 bloggers to follow in my footsteps:

  • Alan at A Good Beer Blog
  • Stan at Appellation Beer
  • Lisa Morrison, the Beer Goddess
  • Erik at Beer Tap TV / ErikBoles.com
  • Jeff at Beervana
  • Daniel at Bradford on Beer
  • Bryan at The Brew Lounge
  • Ashley at Drink With the Wench
  • Don at Joe Sixpack
  • Tomme from Lost Abbey’s Brewer’s Blog
  • Maureen at her eponymous MaureenOgle.com
  • Dr. Bill from New Brew Thursday
  • Mark at Pencil and Spoon
  • Pete from Pete Brown’s Beer Blog
  • Martyn at Zythophile

If any of you actually post your own 7 Things, please be so kind as to post a comment here with a link to yours. Thanks. Oh, and by the way, if you don’t … something might happen. Or it might not. Just sayin’.

Filed Under: Just For Fun, Related Pleasures Tagged With: Blogging, Personal

The World Series At 21st Amendment

October 31, 2010 By Jay Brooks

21st-amend-sm
In an effort to help the Giants win for the last win in Game 2 — and being superstitious — I met an old friend of mine from Pennsylvania (actually we were in kindergarten together, making him my oldest friend) who was in town on business Thursday. We met at the 21st Amendment Brewery to watch the game. Hop Crisis, 21 A’s Imperial IPA was tasting fine, as was their regular IPA. I also had one of Rodger Davis’ IPAs from Drake’s (I was in a hoppy mood).

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From the moment I got there, I knew we would win, because karma was with me. First of all, I found a parking space directly across the street from 21st Amendment and then not only was co-owner Shaun O’Sullivan there with a seat for me, but he was wearing one of my logo shirts! Thanks Shaun!

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My friend Jim, from Shillington, PA, though he now lives in upstate New York. That’s 21A sales manager Lloyd Knight’s infamous orange vest I’m sporting.

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Since we were just a few blocks from the stadium where the game was being played, at the 7th inning stretch we walked down to the ballpark just to drink in the atmosphere.

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Even McCovery Cove was packed with boats.

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There were tons of people hanging out around the ballpark, and there was an electric vibe in the air. Very cool. I hope this helps recreates that atmosphere tonight! Go Giants!

Filed Under: Breweries, Just For Fun, Related Pleasures Tagged With: Baseball, California, Personal, San Francisco, Sports

Beer Waterfall

March 8, 2010 By Jay Brooks

humor
In a scene straight out of a deranged adult version of Willy Wonka, the beer waterfall on the belated birthday card below arrived in my mailbox today.

beer-waterfall
The card was primarily the work of my friends Ray and Cornelia, both Beer Drinkers of the Year in separate years. But they took it along with them to Brewvival in Charleston, South Carolina and had a few more friends sign it, which was very cool of them. There were separate notes from Julie and Jason from Brusin’ Ales and also Patrick Rue, from the Bruery. Then there’s another birthday greeting from a name I can’t quite read, though the initials look like G.H. Of course, it’s the thought that counts and I really appreciated getting the card. Thanks guys!

But there was one more note, from the John Hancock of the signatories, big and bold. His (or her) message took up nearly the entire inside left side with the following: “I want to see this in your fucking blog!” So how could I refuse? If only I could figure out the identity of my mystery person. Here’s his signature below. Any guesses?

cheers-unknown

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: Humor, Personal, South Carolina

Beer Birthday: J (Yes, Embarrasing Myself This Time)

March 3, 2010 By Jay Brooks

brookston
Today is my 51st birthday, and I’ve been overwhelmed by an embarrassment of riches from well-wishers sending me notes via e-mail, Twitter and Facebook. Thanks to one and all. Since it’s usually me posting embarrassing photos of my friends and colleagues, last year I posted a bunch encompassing my first 50 years on a page entitled Beer Birthday Overkill. From old baby photos to the high fashion of the 70s and beyond, they’re still up and good for a chuckle. So again in a spirit of fair play and transparency, here are a few more cringe-worthy photos from my days of youthful indiscretions.

confirmation-bowtie
Another classic from the early 70s, around 1972 or 73 when I was 13 or 14. It was taken for a church directory when the Lutheran Church I attended was celebrating their 100-year anniversary, or something like that. My Mom actually made the jacket and, no offense to her, but she was not the finest seamstress to peddle a sewing machine. You gotta love the butterfly bow-tie look. I’m sure glad that died a much-deserved fashion death.

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At Woodstock (’94 — I’m not that old!) and yes, that’s a can of Miller Genuine Draft I’m holding. After a few days in the mud, we couldn’t be very picky or stand on ceremony about using the proper glass, sad to say. The sleepy-looking fellow next to me is Jim Noecker, my oldest friend in the world, who I’ve known since we were in kindergarten together.

sarah-10
While I can’t recall the exact details of where or when this photo was taken, it was definitely on one of my first dates with my wife Sarah, which places it around 1993 or so, roughly seventeen years ago. Good god, we look young.

There’s many more where these came from, just check out Beer Birthday Overkill and thanks again for all the birthday wishes.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: History, Personal, Photo Gallery

Toasting the New Year 2010

January 1, 2010 By Jay Brooks

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Here at the Brookston Beer Bulletin we’re pausing today to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year. 2009 was yet another interesting year and was rarely dull with plenty of drama. Nobody knows with any real certainty what 2010 will be like for the beer industry, but I’ll be here for my fifth straight year of ranting about it, er .. analyzing it, online. I hope you’ll join me on another year’s worth of adventure in the beer world.
 

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Taken last night in front of the Christmas tree; Alice, Porter and a tasty beer. Westvleteren. What better way to start the new year. Sometime today raise a glass of a tasty libation as we toast you a Happy New Year with one of my favorites:

Observe, when Mother Earth is dry,
She drinks the droppings of the sky,
And then the dewey cordial gives
To every thirsty plant that lives.

The vapors which at evening sweep
Are beverage to the swelling deep,
And when the rosy sun appears,
He drinks the misty ocean’s tears.

The moon, too, quaffs her paly stream
Of lustre from the solar beam;
Then hence with all your sober thinking!
Since Nature’s holy law is drinking,
Mine’s the law of Nature here,
And pledge the Universe in beer.

            — Tom Moore, The Universal Toast

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This is one my favorite out-takes. I have plenty more of the kids mugging for the camera and making funny faces. And here’s one final toast.

Love to one, friendship to many, and good will to all.

            — Anonymous

Welcome to 2010.

Here are more of my favorite toasts. Let me know if I’m missing one of your favorites.

Filed Under: Beers, Just For Fun Tagged With: Holidays, Personal

Frites Love

April 20, 2009 By Jay Brooks

If you’ve ever eaten with me, then you know how much I love frites. Along with bacon, cheese, potato chips, Monte Cristo sandwiches, and anything with peanut butter and chocolate, French Fries are among my favorite foods. I can eat them by the truckload, and usually do. I love all shapes and sizes, loaded with salt and with a variety of dipping sauces. One of favorite things to dip frites into is a chocolate milkshake. Yum.

Anyway, since I’m often out on beer adventures where there are also frites, I decided to start documenting the frites I encounter on a separate blog, which is called simply Frites. Wherever I encounter my beloved French Fries, I’ll take a photo, describe the frites and rate them. If you know some damn fine frites I should try, please let me know.

 

The wonderful shoestring frites from Father’s Office 2.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Personal

Autism Awareness Day

April 2, 2009 By Jay Brooks

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day again, and, like last year, I’m using the holiday as an opportunity to go off topic because my son Porter was diagnosed with Autism when he was three. I wrote about my experiences with Porter’s autism last year, and little has changed from that account. Over the past year, Porter has continued to do well in school, especially academically, and he’s made good progress this year making friends and interacting with the other kids at school, an area he’s traditionally had trouble with.

So this year I’ll just point out some good links if you want to learn more about autism. Here’s the official website for World Autism Awareness Day. There’s a touching post on Right Pundits, and Mark Foster has some interesting thoughts on Deconstructing Neurelitism. And here’s the Autism Speaks page for today’s holiday, and they also have a page for sponsored events.

I think I’m going to initiate my own tradition beginning this year, drinking a Porter each year on April 2 in support of Autism Awareness. Won’t you join me?

Porter this morning in our backyard.

 

 
 

And practicing the newly found sport of making funny faces.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Personal

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