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B-52 Brewing - Houston

30,101 Views | 394 Replies | Last: 8 yr ago by jock itch
jock itch
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Hey guys,

A while back I started a thread asking for help w/ our name, and there seemed to be some interest for a thread like this so here goes.

We just put down a deposit on our brewhouse equipment yesterday, so it looks like we're definitely going forward! If everything arrives in time, we should be in production mid-July to early August...the perfect time for cold beer to deal w/ the sweltering heat.

The idea for this thread is basically just to share our experiences starting a microbrewery in Texas, get some feedback from you guys on what beers you'd like to see, etc, etc. Feel free to ask any questions, call me an idiot, or just talk beer.

[This message has been edited by jock itch (edited 2/9/2013 10:29a).]
jetch17
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AG
Idiot
Helicopter Ben
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Me want free beer!

[This message has been edited by Helicopter Ben (edited 2/9/2013 11:20a).]
jetch17
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AG
Love shack lager
Rock lobster red
Texan_Aggie
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AG
Do a good bock and Oktoberfest. Those are my favorites.
Vernada
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Aquarium Finger IPA
tremble
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quote:
Aquarium Finger IPA
jetch17
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Fingerblast firkin
jetch17
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Hopped & screwed DIPA
jetch17
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Gnome foam
Vernada
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Bayou Sludge Stout
AggieOO
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just make sure the TexAgs posters get nice pours when we come for the tours.
khkman22
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Where is the brewhouse going to be located? Didn't you mention the Conroe area before? I'll volunteer for some taste tests if you're looking.

Just make a good IPA and double IPA and I'll be happy.
Coy94
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I'll second the above. I'm available for taste testing and constructive feedback.


I wish you well and for your beers to have plenty of character. Don't make plain Jane beers; make your special beers.

I vote Belgians and IPAs.


Coy94


[This message has been edited by Coy94 (edited 2/9/2013 9:43p).]
Vernada
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Gotta make some good 'plain Jane' beers for the staples and then do badass seasonal / rotations.

A good amber ale and a good pale ale are solid daily drinkers.
streetfighter2012
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Jock- Congrats on the down payment. My suggestion is brew what you want to drink
AggieOO
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You don't have to make plain beers. Plenty of breweries don't.
jock itch
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quote:
just make sure the TexAgs posters get nice pours when we come for the tours.


Absolutely!

quote:
Where is the brewhouse going to be located? Didn't you mention the Conroe area before?


Yes, we're right off Lake Conroe, but Houston will clearly have to be our target market.

quote:
I'll volunteer for some taste tests if you're looking.


Definitely. We've had a few minor issues w/ our pilot brewery, but should be cranking out a ton of beer soon. I'll post updates in here, get names/e-mails, etc once we have some available to try.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys!
joshwayne330
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I vote for a Hoppy Blonde. For Example, Victory Brewing Summer Love (its a seasonal), but would really like to see it available year around. I also enjoy a great Bock.
metrag06
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I like funny names, I'll try a beer on name alone if it makes me laugh. With B-52 there's lots of opportunities:

BUFF blonde, Carpet Bomber Ale, Hound Dog (cruise missile) IPA, etc....
jock itch
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quote:
I vote for a Hoppy Blonde


That's actually one of the first beers I've wanted to pilot. Something a little more balanced than an American Pale, but more hop forward than a standard Blonde.

quote:
I like funny names, I'll try a beer on name alone if it makes me laugh. With B-52 there's lots of opportunities:


Good to know! I actually didn't like our name when it was first suggested, but like you mentioned the naming/theming ideas are endless.
LCE
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A great Pils would be nice. Love the Victory Prima.
Quantum ace
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quote:
I wish you well and for your beers to have plenty of character. Don't make plain Jane beers; make your special beers.


You should start with a good solid recipe for each beer in the lineup, and then triple the hops on all of them.

Ohh wait, Karbach already did that. Maybe you should just make good beer. Plain, fancy, whatever pitches your tent.
BSD
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Great news! I wish you all the success in the world...as long as you make good beer! Be sure to listen to Jetch when it comes to beer names and if you can incorporate the hand doctor's name into your beer, I'll buy double the amount and put you on my wall of shame!
jock itch
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quote:
A great Pils would be nice. Love the Victory Prima.


It's one of my favorite beers as well! The only issue we're going to have early on is fermentation capacity, so doing a true lager will eat into our production schedule because of the added conditioning time. A hoppy Pils is definitely on the list though.

quote:
Ohh wait, Karbach already did that


Yeah, I just recently met those guys and they really have their **** together. Their IPA is the best in Houston IMO.

quote:
Great news! I wish you all the success in the world


Thanks! Given how crowded the industry is getting, we could definitely use a bit of luck.

[This message has been edited by jock itch (edited 2/10/2013 7:49p).]
jock itch
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And since Karbach got brought up: What is yall's opinion of bottles vs cans?
ajn142
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As a nondrinker (for now), I think bottles have much greater potential. Nothing special about an aluminum can.
Helicopter Ben
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oops nvmd

[This message has been edited by Helicopter Ben (edited 2/10/2013 8:16p).]
jock itch
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I realized I should have posted the pros/cons from a brewer's perspective, so:

Cans:
- Better for the beer: allows zero UV light in so the beer stays fresh longer.
- Cheaper: from the math I've done we can price ourselves about .50-1.00 cheaper per 6-pack vs the competition in bottles.
- More portable: I know a lot of public parks/lakes/rivers don't allow glass.

Bottles:
- Better perception of quality from the average beer drinker.
- We want to do 22 oz glass bombers, so the equipment can be used for both 12 and 22 oz bottles where canning would require a separate line.
- Labeling for small, limited release beers is much easier. The art-work for new cans isn't free and a minimum order # is usually required. With bottles we can just change the label.
jetch17
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I dig the southern star and Karbach cans as they stand out amongst the sea of cardboard sixers in the craft section, but I pour all my beer into glassware regardless... Plus accessibility to take to river or beach given our geography where glass is prohibited. Just a thought, I def understand the lines/labels predicament

Definately special release bombers, though
TxKng82
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Talking to someone the other day about this and he basically hit on what Jetch said. Most craft drinkers pour their beer into a glass anyway and with the emergence of more craft brews in cans it seems it is becoming more of a non issue with the perception but I know it's still there.

Looking forward to tasting some more local brews!
streetfighter2012
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Could you do regular releases in 6 packs and the special releases in 4 packs? I know that makes for a big difference in volume per sale, but that would allow for people to drink one or two then and age the others. One reason I try and buy multiples is to drink one and then age the other.
Vernada
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Great beer in Can? Best of everything.
Vernada
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quote:
Could you do regular releases in 6 packs and the special releases in 4 packs? I know that makes for a big difference in volume per sale, but that would allow for people to drink one or two then and age the others. One reason I try and buy multiples is to drink one and then age the other.


Da fuq!?

What kind of communist saves beer?
khkman22
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My vote is for an IPA more like Elissa and a double IPA like Endeavor instead of Hopadillo and Rodeo Clown if your judging against Houston breweries. Elissa is not my favorite, but still better than Hopadillo. Endeavor is very good though, IMO.
 
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