National Homebrew Conference 2015

[billvon 3,095]

The NHC is into its second day in San Diego and a few observations from the conference:

Session beers are in. At least two talks about doing low-alcohol beers without losing body, hoppiness, color etc.

More women. At the last NHC I was at (2011) it was about 90%/10%. Now it's closer to 70%/30%. Good to see that homebrewing is not just a "guy thing" any more.

Single vessel systems. I saw at least three systems that combine the HLT, the mash tun, the boil kettle and the fermenter in one vessel. Much easier to clean and sanitize than a traditional system (nothing to sanitize, really) although more expensive and lower throughput.

One completely automated system - "Picobrew." You put hops and grain in hoppers, press a button and you get beer two weeks later. (Might have to pitch yeast after a day; didn't ask about that.) Cleaning is again super easy; mainly you have to clean out the keg (which is also the fermenter) and the tray. Nothing to sanitize though; they just have to be clean, since there is no "cold side."

More microbreweries here with their beer. It makes sense; this is a crowd that is going to be willing to pay more for really good (but oddball) beers. Ballast Point has a big presence, as does Stone and Green Flash.

[JohnMitchell 16]

Wow, enjoy.

BTW, my hops are growing great.

[billvon 3,095]

>BTW, my hops are growing great.

Russian River and a few other people introduced a new experimental hop - HBC 438. Supposedly it will do better in southern locations, and it tastes like Simcoe.