My Blog

To the ladies of the divine inebriation.....the Unmata scotch ale has been brewed!

Jen — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:01:45 GMT

Great day brewing....threw in almost five hundred pounds of grain to make this lovely concoction.....history of the scotch ales...these beers tend to be on the maltier side with slight hop additions for hops do not grow well over in the land....it's a beautiful lovely dark dark red brown....I walked around the pub showing everyone it's color...the wort was still so sweet since it hasn't been fermentated but ohhhh I can't wait until tomorrow to see if it's bubbling happily with the energy of some of the most lovely ladies I have met :) For my silly brew friends I got a starting gravity of 1085! The highest I have ever done ! wooot! (as miss erin would say!) I'm excited for it to represent me at the next few brew fests and super excited to bring the bottles down to Blood Moon...and to give little tastes out at Cooley city retreat for it's preview :) Are we drooling yet?

Just those times when you're thinking...when someone has passed....I hope to see them again soon....

Jen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:57:14 GMT

~ ........................~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qihmSgutIpk On a cobweb afternoon In a room of emptiness By a freeway I confess I was lost in the pages Of a book full of death Reading how we'll die alone And if we're good we'll lay to rest Anywhere we want to go [Chorus] In your house I long to be Room by room patiently I'll wait for you there Like a stone I'll wait for you there Alone On my deathbed I will pray To the gods and the angels Like a pagan to anyone Who will take me to heaven To a place I recall I was there so long ago The sky was bruised The wine was bled And there you led me on [Chorus] And on I read Until the day was gone And I sat in regret Of all the things I've done For all that I've blessed And all that I've wronged In dreams until my death I will wonder on.....

you run as if i don't see you.......

Jen — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:53:03 GMT

All righty you beer snobs....give me your thoughts on this...

Jen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:14:20 GMT

I've got an assignment....I need to pair up some beers with the dishes listed below...what would you choose? I have some ideas but want to see what you put up here..... Seafood and potatoes steamed in Belgian ale..seafood consisting of clams, large shrimp, scallops, and muscles....veggies are shallot, garlic, shrooms, potatoes and the beer a beligan white ale Hoisin Barbecue sauce for chicken or ribs....ingredients ...hoisen sauce, thai fish sauce, veggie oil garlic and mirin to taste..... panfried salmon with pinot noir and thyme....pretty much explains itself beer braised short ribs.....all basic ingredients ....beer added is a hef or a brown ale for the recipe... forever roasted pork...spices are salt and pepper, fresh sage, and a fennel spice..... and the last dish...vegetarian pad thai----rice noodles, tamarind, soy sauce, brown sugar, sriracha (chili sauce) scallions, shallots, tofu, peanut oil, garlic, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts are the ingredients.... what do you think? doesn't have to be just one style either......

Hell's YeAh!

Jen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:37:37 GMT

I fucking won the barley cup and people's choice award at the brewfest this weekend! drink up!

hey my herbal peeps :)

Jen — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:23:21 GMT

been brain storming about beer flavors....anyone know much about how to break down certain plants...example...rose or mint? do you know if they are better dried or fresh to pull flavor out of ? ever worked with them much to make oils or anything? am thinking of a honey rose wheat...and one of my brew pubsters thought of chocolate mint porter....but how do you work these herbs and such? let me know if you got any ideas ! love from the alewife!

I heart my ZePhYr biAtcheZ!

Jen — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:18:26 GMT

thanks for last night girls....practice rocked and hanging out afterwards was perfect! stress level is now down to me just getting my shite together! thanks for all the smoochies, the beers, the laughs and the energy..if yesterday didn't happen I don't know where I would be today.....*walks away doing a happy dance and a Joyce jump for added spark* haha see yas tomorrow!

freaking out with stress....what a good time!

Jen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:17:00 GMT

Will people show up? I haven't even put my workshop together....peeps are canceling (which is totally cool for life happens) haven't worked on my solo...work is hard hard hard this week....my head is spinning...I'm having horrible dreams of everything falling apart....my lord what have I goten myself into ? fuck.........

Those times....

Jen — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:25:43 GMT

I keep winding back to when I was in my early twenties....just those days when things were so different and you were so young....living in Springfield over the dry cleaners....a locked fence to our long steep staircase to our apartments...there were only two...and you had to be careful when you came up to the roof and to make sure you stayed on the grip tape path made for walking....you could possibly go through the roof...our large living room window facing over where we stood and smoked our cigarettes...our view was of the park...some old apartment buildings....but always the hint of the sunset during the summer...roof smelling of the warm sun...but yet fresh fresh from the dry cleaners below...my sewing machine by the small window...dried flowers in vases...my collection of black and white postcards mixed upon our youthful literature on the shelfs....two homes open to each other...we would keep the doors ajar and wander back and forth between the two...my friend Ethan always made us good dinners....and always made sure there was a vegetable no matter what...even with the mac-n-cheese...we had our veggies...learning to smoke out of bong...ahh pappy....dancing to the Velevet Underground....learning how to be .....that what I was was okay.....discovering music...wandering out at one in the morning to see the boys hanging out and playing video games....and one of them making me an egg sandwich....because that was what I was craving....traded up the games to make me food...earth, wind, and fire in the background....it was comfort for that bit of time.....scrounging up change to get a ghetto dinner at the minute mart down the street...i had never eaten so many little debbies in my life.....and cheap tostinos pizzas...ugh...my tummy...and it has all brought me to this....this amazing bit of my life....i love my job...dance is in my life and I keep meeting more and more people....staring at them in awe of what they are....how they are on this ride with me on a planet hurling through a universe....damn, what a good time.....

She Being Brand

Jen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:23:00 GMT

she being Brand -new; and you know consequently a little stiff i was careful of her and ( having thoroughly oiled the universal joint tested my gas felt of her radiator made sure her springs were O. K.) i went right to it flooded-the-carburetor cranked her up, slipped the clutch (and then somehow got into reverse she kicked what the hell) next minutes i was back in neutral tried and again slo-wly;bare,ly nudg. ing (my lev-er Right- oh and her gears being in A 1 shape passed from low through second-in-to-high like greasedlightning just as we turned the corner of Divinity avenue i touched the accelerator and give her the juice, good (it was the first ride and believe i we was happy to see how nice she acted right up to the last minute coming back down by the Public Gardens i slammed on the internalexpanding & externalcontracting brakes Bothatonce and brought allofher tremB -ling to a : dead. stand- ;Still) e.e. cummings

JusT pLaiNly.....

Jen — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:17:00 GMT

fuck it.....

I"m just blown away by my Sunday class....

Jen — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:09:38 GMT

You girls kick ass! To see the dedication that you have given me and your dance it amazing....sitting and watching you today just made my heart sing! Watching you take the lead and change the circle up and seeing you all so nervous with me giving you guys critiques and all...silly silly girls! You humbled me so much with your gift of the ipod....bitchez! What you have given me as a teacher I couldn't even explain....you have all helped me create my class and kept it going. Last class I did was very hard and I was sad to leave it behind but now....now I get it and it's thanks to you guys. I can't tell you how impressed I am with your dedication and your involvement...and to see you all becoming dancers makes me jump up and down and do a silly little jig! I can't wait for Beltane and to show your community what you girls are capable of. Six months is not long and to see how far you all have come...wow! And to Zira and Loki....you two are amazing and kick ass...thanks so much for helping me when I'm tired or need to be gone or need a drummer or need my familiars around...you make me very comfortable and proud to have you there. I'm truly blessed by having all of you in my path of life......

mY LaSt cIGaReTTe..may it rest in peace

Jen — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:17:23 GMT

I took two drags off of it and had had enough....Five days in! Though it may be a small number at least i"m on the right path yay!

EnOuGh oF tHe BeEr TiMe FoR tHe WaTeR....

Jen — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:36:45 GMT

I love this song...adore this song...reminds me of home...and I want to dance to it badly...but I find that my biggest challenge is that when I'm soloing I don't know how to put some sort of passion into my expression....I am almost completely rooted to one spot....but when I am home I know how to let it go and show it....show it to no one that is looking....just feeling...want to push it out of me and scare myself with finally doing it....not caring what others see...not be intimidated by who is watching...my fingers reach out to the other side but my body won't follow past that wall....troupe and soloing are such different worlds for me...the energy is completely different...how do you do it? people's passion that I adore...Dahlias, Susan, Jody, Indigo, Samira....to watch them release amazes me....catch my hand and take me there..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6DvATT2_Gk

Yay oh Yay! the beer biAtch is back in business!

Jen — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 03:09:45 GMT

Great week brewing! Found the problem ....yeast is happy as hell and blowing my brews out in about four days with it's strength! I feel like a brewer again! Chocolate chili porter is in tank...I love the Liftsource crew! been so helpful and named the brew after them...you guys all rock! will be brining down jars for you guys to sample what you helped me create...kudos to Steve to sitting down with me at Pete's awhile back and talking about making this brew :)

I don't want to play brewer anymore....

Jen — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:24:46 GMT

Brewing sucks right now...I'm having bad ferments and the customers won't shut up and my staff is a pain in the ass in dealing with it all....makes me doubt all that I do right now....had another crying episode by myself in the firm room....lame lame lame...I'm so ready for the new year to start....

Tuesday Blues...

Jen — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:26:48 GMT

They're all about hanging out in my world lately....things are askew for friends...people are leaving this world rapidly in fast numbers.....it's getting dark.....songs are full of emotion..... though the vid is corny the song is wonderful... and it's only Tuesday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FviZKVDqlg

Warning...mass beer rambling involved

Jen — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:17:07 GMT

....One day in Oregon it was summer....the sun was out for a few weeks and it was beAutiful. Then one day in Oregon it rained...and it hasn't stopped hardly at all! So not ready to be shrouded in the Pacific Northwest Gray yet....I shuffle into the brewery in the morning with my tea and wrap my coat further around me....the days of turning on every fan the second I walk in are over for the time being...now the mornings are lit by the lights instead of the sun coming through the window....though the yellow of leaves is pretty through the window...the steam off the water going into the mash is warming....it rolls off the ceiling and the toasted smell of the grain makes me crave rice crispies for some reason haha with a big ole glass of orange juice.... ...I brewed Black Widow for the second time in my brewing time at the pub....was bummed though for my starting OG was only a 1063 and I wanted it to be more close to 1068 to 1070...so let it boil for a half an hour longer to get the gravity up..saved some extra wort off the mash to help get a good fill....got a great extract of 71%....last year it had a really slow ferment but this year it busted out in about four days and finished at 1011...lower than I expected...came out to almost a 7.2% abv....it's an imperial porter with a licorice back on it...we add four ounces at the last half hour of the boil... these four little black sticks that you dilute in a bit of wort...it's gassing up now and will put it on tap the week of Halloween...yum. ...I've been battling my body in trying to keep my back okay for work and dance...I've been bad and not having constant massages like I used to and I feel it....my neck is tense again from my anxiety and panic showing up for a few weeks...we went to the Roots Organic Brewery for a brewers meeting and sat on these low to the ground benches and it tweeked my back for three days....had to walk around like an old woman and couldn't stretch enough....wish that stretching would just take it all away ....at least it helps .... ....The quick turn of the season has me warped in a weird mind world....senses are all askew and will be back to center soon..I'm just not ready to hibernate yet....but I don't think i have much of a choice with where I live....ahhh well....that's why there are great nights of bundling up around a heater outside with all your mates sharing pints and bitching about the weather are for :)

Cool thing in my daily brewing...

Jen — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:24:18 GMT

Was stepping outside to go to the grain shed and opened the back door to find about a group of twenty crows flying away in startled flight from me...I usually only see a couple of sets that like to hang out at the pub together...this way amazing! I hope that they come back soon....they startled me as much as I startled them....it went too fast....just a sudden cloak of wings flying away.....

Coastie girl goes to high desert....

Jen — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 18:13:01 GMT

Went to a beautiful crazy land the past weekend....I felt like I had time warped to a dream that I hadn't woken up to yet....it was amazing yet startled the coastie girl in me....my good friend and I went up to Washington to the Coolie City area..about an hour and a half up past the Gorge Amphitheater area....for a bellydance fest....the drive was amazing...we drove up the Columbia river that was surrounded by these crazy huge soft rolling hills....they had been tinged a dull golden color from the sun...at the distance we were away from they they looked like velvet..I wanted to go and just pet them but knowing they would not feel as I saw them....the scenery was crazy at how quickly it would change...trees were abundant for awhile...then the sage took over...we would drive up over these huge hills to drop down into small towns nestled at the base....horses hanging out with each other on huge pieces of land.....saw the rib cage of an animal who didn't make it laying out in the hot sun in one of the fields....but we also had some hilarious times....when we got to the camp we decided to tent it instead of sleep in one of the cabins...of course I forgot the poles...classic Jen move....but this beautiful green green patch of grass beckoned us to sleep upon it....not taking note of a beautifully taylored lawn in the high desert...we laid the tarp down and nestled ourselves in our sleeping bags....listening to everyone having a good time..waking up to glowing colors of people practicing poi....the sky was like nothing I had ever seen...every star was clear...the Milky Way huge....made quite a few wishes on the ones that fell out of the sky...felt small in the universe and shocked that I was there.....I remember waking up to sudden silence...everyone had gone to bed....sitting up to see lovely gal sleeping next to me....the moon rising up over the amazing rocky cliffs....laying back down to a quiet sleep....to be interupted by....(remember the green lawn?) oh yesss.....sprinklers! heard the click of them rising up out of the ground...the hiss of the water starting...my friend sitting up quickly and us both saying SHIT and laughing our asses off as the water came and showered us...standing up in my sleeping bag trying to hop like I was in a potato sack race to get away ...none too quickly that way....to where the volleyball net was and dry ground offered us sanction....so we relocated to underneath the net...but yet the sprinklers weren't done yet...they had only done the first half of the lawn so about an hour later we were off and running yet again and decided to crash in the car....good times lol there was so much that I did...time was slow in a great way...I had the best nap of my life tucked under a tree on a sleeping bag with the warm air being stirred by the wind that would rush down through the canyon....drums and zills in the background....danced my ass off and learned a lot of great new things...I also had a child hood find...there were these lovely trees that sat on the side of the road that went down to the showers.....I didn't fully look at them at first...but then the fragrance hit my nose...it was Colorado all over again...as I got closer I squeeled with delight....as a kid my best friend had in her yard this odd tree that had leaves similar to a willow but also produced these odd shiny pale pale green little berries also...not sure if they're berries but we'll call them that for now...and they were the same trees! we used to make pretend soups out of them ...and to have them in my hand again after all those years made me happy.....high desert is a crazy universe for me...It's big and vast and open....I enjoyed it a lot but it felt great when we rolled back down into the valley to the trees and home......

Help your breweries out ....

Jen — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 02:51:01 GMT

Big thing going on lately is the theft of beer kegs. Since prices have gone up for metals we have many lovlies running about breaking into keg sheds or finding shifty ways to get their hands on them .....they are able to take them to scrap metal places and get up to $100 per keg.....my sister pub had about fifteen kegs stolen .....there was an alarm on the keg shed which has fencing as the side walls....they had set it off one night trying to break it but returned the following week and cut AROUND the alarm to make a hole in the fence and proceed to take the kegs.....I had three returned to me this week due to a great person who was looking outside and noticed a person loading many empty kegs into their car and called the police on them....good person good person! Anyway, just help your brewers out if you see any of this going on...they cost a lot and as mine are so old school the more we have the better! Now go order a beer :)

I love Closed Caption....

Jen — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 05:44:20 GMT

I have really really bad hearing....so I always love it when I actually get to see what lyrics I have been missing for a long time with music....was flipping through the telly last night and came upon the Pixies on Austin City Limits....it was so great to be able to see sooo many lyrics that I haven't understood for years.....I've always had my own little version that runs through my head when I heard the songs....they became a bit different in understanding as I read the words along with the music....didn't really realize that Velouria was such a love song....I listen more to the musicians playing because it's what I can hear best.....I was just happy to have that connection with music last night.....

Feeling like a brewer again....

Jen — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:36:01 GMT

It's funny when you're away from work for a small chunk of time how things become somewhat new again. After I was home for a few weeks after my hurt back I was able to go back to modified duty work...washing kegs and doing the paper work thing....it was strange working with my boss for one it's my boss...for two...he does things so differently than I was trained....I learned a lot of new things from him for a few weeks (such as how to really open those damn grain bags with the braided string at the top that I always threw curse words towards)...sweet little tricks of doing things and watching how he worked his batch of brew...just little things....I think he also got a bit frustrated for there was so much I wasn't taught properly that I should have known....but hey when I'm taught something I do what has been told to me...but anyway, today just felt good...I've brewed four times this week and things are good...good fills and extracts...and trying new flavors...dry sacked (those two words together sound dirty ;)) some roasted green chilis into a light chocolate porter....the aroma is starting to come through and I really hope that some flavor ends up coming through to the palate....ahhh beer, the ever keep your fingers crossed career.....my back is feeling twenty times better than it has been.... got to go to the coast for a blip of a second to see family and the smell of home all around....dance has been amazing and burning fire is always a treat....I like being good....good is a great thing ....

Hard to breathe......

Jen — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:38:59 GMT

can't wait to step on the cool sand and take a deep breath......

Barley Cup..

Jen — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 05:31:30 GMT

Wish me luck....eight other beers of love to be consumed besides my own! yay! Come on out and say hi...I'll be the schmoozing brewer giving tours and talking beer all day ;)