April 13th, 2010
Hamilton’s Smooth from Portland Maine
Denno recently returned from Portland, Maine where he was brewing Hamilton’s Smooth a west coast hopped pub ale (think San Diego meets Boddington). If you recall last memorial day we launched our inaugural Shipyard Lobster Bake for firkin Friday. This year we decided to go brew a beer to release for the event so Dennis went north east to ’get’r done’. Dennis recaps:7am (4am San Diego time!)Federal Jacks brew pub –the home of Shipyard brewingAfter a night on the town of Portland Maine, sampling the fine English style ales that Shipyard Brewing had to offer, I went back to my room to sleep for what seemed like 45 min. then up at 6am (which is 3 san Diego time—about the time I usually am going to bed!) a scenic 20 min. drive and I am in Kennebunk –a cute seaside new England town.The brewery at Federal Jacks is a 7 bl, open fermentation system. They have 5 fermentation tanks. During the busy season they will brew 2 batches a day 7 days a week!With brewers Mike and Paul, I was the brewery monkey, helping with all aspects of the brewing process. We milled in the grain–steeped it– then transferred it to the kettle. With 3 hop additions of “West Coast” hops. This isn’t going to be a Boddingtons clone!Shipyard uses a very healthy strain of English yeast. While transferring the wort thru a heat exchanger to the open fermentation tanks, we scooped off some yeast from the top of a brew that had been bubbling away for 3 days. We added that yeast to about a gallon of our wort and within 45 min. it had rose and was spilling over a 5 gallon bucket! Now that was some happy healthy yeast.We pitched the yeast and continued to do the never ending cleaning that is required to keep a brewery ship shape. By the time we were done cleaning, the top of the tank already showed signs of fermentation. Then it was time to go upstairs and drink some of the other fine beers that Shipyard produces.Going to Maine to help brew this special beer for Hamiltons was a great experience. The people I met were all friendly and made me feel right at home. I cant wait for Memorial Day weekend to get to drink this beer with all of you!” Denno