New 120 bbl fermenters set to arrive this week...

We'll have two new 120 bbl fermenters arriving this Wednesday (if they don't get clipped by a low-hanging overpass). We'll be setting them up in the space in front of the window from the taproom, unfortunately cutting down on the view of the bottling line from the taproom (or, fortunately, depending on what's going on with the bottling line on any given day).

It's starting to get a little tight in the brewery again, kind of like it was at Marathon before we ran out of room. I'll post some more pics of the tanks and our attempts to stand them up later this week.

Here's a pic from Friday of the tanks being loaded at Newlands Systems in Vancouver. They always look smaller on their sides than once you stand them up, but they are 19' tall and about 9' in diameter.

Fortuitous time

Thank you to all of you who came out for the Fortuitous event. We appreciate each and every one of you! I hope everyone had a great time and that anyone who didn't win a ticket got hooked up by someone who did. I've never had so much great beer in my life, and thank you to everyone who brought out some special stuff to share. We will be doing something like this again in the future, for sure.

Fortuitous Release Saturday Feb 18th at the brewery

Fortuitous Ale release Feb 18th at 2 PM at the brewery

We weren't planning on having any release party at all when we finally finished bottling this beer and got ready to ship it out. But after talking with some of Nashville's fellow beer geeks at the 12th South Winter Warmer, who argued that we would be almost cheating them out of a reason to all get together, we decided to hold an event at the brewery to celebrate Fortuitous' release.

The main problem is that due to Tennessee's archaic beer laws, we can't sell high-gravity beer here (see my previous post from last year for the details of why).

So here is how we plan to do it: We will open up the doors to the brewery at noon on Saturday, Feb 18th. From noon until 2 PM, everyone who comes in will get a free raffle ticket. Then at 2 PM, we will raffle off the 120 special certificates that will allow the holder to purchase up to four bottles of Fortuitous at a separate location (not far from the brewery). Whatever is not purchased on that Saturday will be available to the general public starting the following week. (Or maybe I'll just keep it and drink it all myself - seriously, I'm considering it.)

We don't want people having to camp out or wait in lines outside to get this beer. As long as you get here in time to get a free raffle ticket, you will have a good shot at getting up to four bottles of Fortuitous. We want this to be fun, so come on down for a few hours and join us!

Sly Rye Porter out soon in six-packs!

SB 2167 and SB 2446

There have been some questions about the intent of these two bills - the wording on both is still pretty vague, and one of the abstracts mentions "high-alcohol content beer". I called Sen. Finney's office (one of the sponsors) today to try to get some clarification. The intent of both bills is to give the TN ABC the authority to regulate beverages with 90% abw or greater differently than beverages with less alcohol. The impetus of the bill was the death in Sen. Finney's district of an underage girl who overdosed on "Everclear", which is around 90% or 180 proof.

I was assured by the executive assistant that I spoke with that the bills would have nothing to do with anything except authorizing the ABC to regulate these 90% beverages differently than normal alcoholic beverages. She said that two bills were introduced in case one bill was held up in committee.

I think TN craft beer fans should keep an eye on the final language of any bill that makes it out of committee. But it doesn't appear that limiting the sale of high-alcohol beer is the intent of this bill at this point.

Hop Project #63, full of Australian Galaxy hops!

This is the one I personally have been really anticipating. Last year I managed to get my hands on just a little bit of Australian Galaxy hops, which we used as just a finishing hop in one of the Hop Projects. But we couldn't make very much of it, and I went back to trying to source a larger amount. Well, we got lucky and found enough this year to do a nice long run of Hop Project #63, featuring this great hop from down under, in both a flavor and aroma hop role. It's got a wonderfully ripe fruity nose, with a long, lingering, and clean bitterness. We made 160 bbls of it so far (equivalent to about 2000 cases) so we should be able to get some out to all the areas that sell Yazoo Hop Project over the next month. Look for it in Nashville first, then Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Jackson and Vicksburg, MS; and very soon along the MS coast!

Job opening on our packaging line...

We have an entry-level position opening on our packaging line. You would work on preparing our packaging prior to bottling - assembling boxes and inserting the six-pack carriers. You would work on our packaging line, loading empty bottles at the entry, operating the labeller and filler machines, and packing full bottles into their cases and placing the case on a pallet. We are looking for an individual with the following qualities:

- Ability to learn a fairly complex operation
- Energetic, positive attitude
- Ability to function well in a teamwork-oriented environment
- Able to work a flexible weekday (Monday through Friday) shift, anywhere between 6 AM to 6 PM depending on our production schedule
- Able to repeatedly lift 30 lbs (case of beer), and to be on your feet most of the day
- Able to occasionally represent Yazoo at promotional events like beer festivals, tastings, etc.
- Over 21 years old and have a clean driving record. Forklift training is a plus.

This is an entry level position within our company. But we are growing and there will be opportunity for advancement for the right person.

Please email your resume and cover letter to jobs@yazoobrew.com, or mail it to Yazoo Brewing Co, 910 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37203.