Name: Dylan Uecker and Brooke Behmke
Age: 29 and 27
Occupation: Engineer & Sales Executive
Years Brewing: 1
Brewing History: We have been brewing sours since day 1, even our first beer was a single extract brew kit we added blueberries to and kettle soured in our attic. We fell in love with the process and have been experimenting with flavors and styles since. Our beers now start with all gain brewing and have expanded beyond simple kettle sours to include stout, Rye, blonde, and a failed attempt at a Brettanomyces soured helles.
What got you interested in brewing to start: Dylan “It’s a bit of cooking and a bit of chemistry. I have always been particular about beers I enjoyed, so I thought I should create the ones I enjoy most rather then wait to find them.” Brooke “There are very few sour beers here! Plus it’s fun to do when the weather doesn’t cooperate.”
What kept you brewing: We thought it would take a lot longer to make a good beer. We were ready for a long haul, but we have surprisingly enjoyed a lot of our creations. Experimenting has been a lot of fun, and the outcome is beer!”
Current brewing rig: Anvil Foundry 10 gallon
Any rules you have for brew day: Not really, no.
Best brewing advice you were given (by whom if you can remember): Any extract can make a good beer, but it takes more than an extract to make a great beer.
Most influential brewing tip you learned: Watch fermentation temperatures, there can be large swings even indoors that will impact beer flavor more than you realize.
Your tip for new brewers just getting started: Brew things you are going to enjoy, and don’t be afraid of complex styles- just do a little research first. Learning the science is the fun part that allows you to make your beer your own.
Go to beer style for consumption: Sours
What’s on tap at your brew house right now: Lots of bottled sours and a stout.
Favorite beer style to brew: Quick sours.
What’s your next brewing related project: Berliner Weisse.
What do you want everyone to know that wasn’t asked here:
- The Anvil was a game changer for us. It was worth every penny and has made our brew days much easier!
- Almost any beer style can become a sour- treat sours as if you are brewing a specific style and add the souring process to the end. With that approach, you will come up with far more unique and interesting flavors than the standard sour beer you find at most breweries
