TTB Frustrations Continue...

Just to update everyone on my TTB application (required federal permit)... I successfully submitted my application in February and was approved on March 17 for processing.  I have not heard a word from them since with constant phone calls (twice a day sometimes) and emails over the past two months.  The initial estimate for approval using their new on-line system was 60 days mind you.  Well I finally get a call from a TTB representative YESTERDAY indicating, in no uncertain terms, that my application was passed from person to person and mine was "lost".  Amazing how that could happen in a digital world! So they are just now looking at my application.  Needless to say I am completely frustrated by the fact that no one called me to even say "Hi my name is so and so and I'll be your assigned representative" nor did any of my emails or phone calls get returned.  I will provide updates as soon as I get them.

Well If I have to find any good in this situation, I would like to congratulate my friend Adam Fry in Maryland who is starting Frey's Brewing for receiving his TTB approval yesterday and Scott from Mad Horse Brewpub in Lovettsville, VA.  for getting his approval within 35 Days! 

Some people have all the luck... 

We Got Our Growlers!

Our 2 liter growlers arrived from Tote Glass and they look great!

Brewing and building

Well things are moving along.  I've been brewing typically a barrel at a time trying to get a little ahead of the game.  Kolsch, porter, pale ale, tripel, and a English bitter.  I've decided to take a stab at doing some cask ales, so I took some of the bitter and put it into my first firkin...

I've also been working on changes to the brewery to support keeping kegs cold and a controlled environment for the fermentors. I picked up a Coolbot and an 8000 BTU AC to cool a portion of the fermentation room. Here are pictures of the upgrade...

We are going to order our first shipment of growlers with our logo on it in the near future from Tote Glass and we have completed our submission to the TTB for our license and are hoping to be legal by May.  We have inquired about participating in the Northern Virginia Brew Festival held in Morven Park in Leesburg, Viginia which would be our fist public outing.  We also may participate in the Frederick Beer Weeks brew festival at Stillpoint Farm.  Good times ahead!

Finally, we set up an account with Square.com and now we can easily take VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards.

The Fermenters Have Arrived!

Well the fermenters have finally arrived! Now I need to get on the ball and get cleaning and brewing... just got to find the time in this busy time of year.  Here is a picture of them:

Also,  Just tapped latest batch of Dogwood IPA.  Bold citrus flavor and with grapefruit and piney aromas that came in at the top end of the IPA scale or low end of the Imperial IPA scale.  Have 10 Gallons of American Stout ready for kegs.  It's great smelling Cascade hops coming out of the fermetor during active fermentation of a stout...





Barnhouse Brewery Xmas Brew

Just finished wax dipping my Strong American Stout that laid on heavy toasted American oak infused with Makers Mark bourbon for 6 months.  Roasty malts and some sweetness from blackstrap molasses and bourbon.  Definately a sipping beer.. 8.2% prior to being oaked.  Only 19 bottles in this batch. Brewed December of 2010.

We Are Established, Just not legal yet!

Welcome to All!  We have created the company as an LLC and are beginning the licensing process to become a legal brewery.  I'm really excited about this new venture and I want to thanks my many local supporters for convincing me that I should start living the dream....

As we are continue with the paperwork, we are also working to build out our brewery.  We've got 760 square feet of dedicated space, and I'm completing a climate controlled fermentation room. 

The Brew Space (1/2 Barrel System)

The Fermentation Room

We've also received our first shipment of our cooperage (AKA kegs)!  Shiny and new stainless steel 5.16 gallon kegs.  Now it's time to fill them!

Our beloved cooperage!

Finally, we are waiting for delivery of our two 80 Gallon fermentors from Stouts Kettles in Oregon and our 2 liter growlers from Tote glass in Pennsylvania.

That's all for now...  We'll keep you posted!