Great Lakes Brewing News Archive

Between Grain and Glass

Originally Published: 10/97

By: Tina Weymann

Respected since 1976 for fine stainless tank fabrications used in winemaking, beer-brewing, and agriculture, Century Manufacturing, Inc. is now poised to fill the needs of smaller-volume brewpubs and microbreweries. Century's 3 BBL Mini-Brew system comes complete for about $69,000, with timely delivery (expect lead time of 8 to 12 weeks). Century renews its longtime commitment to quality and service to brewers, offering first-rate craftsmanship in its products and experienced installation and follow-up help to the next generation of beermakers. The Great Lakes region is predicted to enjoy a robust craft brewing market through the year 2000, and Century will be there for the celebration. RSVP Century's sales office, 1-800-0726, ask for Brad.

Briess Malting of Chilton, Wisconsin, has rushed to the aid of harried homebrewers with its Concentrated Brewers Wort line of mylar-bagged 3.3 # malts. Economy-sized 3 gallon containers are also available. Unveiled at this year's AHA Nationals and touted by Ray Daniels, author of Designing Great Beers, CBW is available in Golden Light, Sparkling Amber, Traditional Dark, and Bavarian Wheat. Retailers, please contact your rep to stock up on CBW and to arrange for introductory packaging which includes complimentary copies of the informative 40-page Briess Homebrewing Companion.

Blighted, maybe, but not beaten, U.S.-grown hops hang tough. Hopunion reports that 1997's outbreak of powdery mildew disease may affect some cultivators more than others. Early diagnoses indicate Galena, Cluster and Symphony may be hardest hit; Willamette, Chinook, Tettnang, Fuggles, Mt. Hood and Liberty could fare better. Perhaps most resistant are Cascade, Columbus, Nugget, and Perle. Want to know more about hops? The American Hop Museum (P.O. Box 230, Toppenish, Washington 98948), has answers!

George and Laurie Fix have authored another book published by Brewers Publications of Boulder, Colorado. An Analysis of Brewing Techniques takes the guesswork out of the brewing process, presenting the lates brewing research and illustrating how different techniques affect finished beer quality. For more information on the book, contact Brewers Publications, at 303-546-6514.