WE DID IT!  Here is our 11′ Combi (hot liquor & mash tun) tank laying down…resting before it begins it’s life long job of making beer.  This tank was a challenge to say the least.  As we were standing it up we realized the fork lift needed to go beyond the height of the ceiling.  Since it could not, 5 of us had to GENTLY push it the rest of the way.  As it tee-tered back and forth on it’s stubby little legs, we held our breath and got out of it’s way.  It stopped and we cheered!  No wall reconstruction needed.

The install is coming. Check back for new pics on how the hell we're getting those tanks in the building. 

Rich (Head Brewer & Co-owner-sitting) and Kevin (Sunpower Construction-standing) mapped out the availability of solar exposure for each month . This determined the viability of a pre-heat solar hot water system. 

If the removal of two 80-year-old pine trees constitutes ground breaking, then Under Cover Ale Works is underway. On April 22nd we fell two trees to begin the cut for the brewery foundation.

Ten days prior we ventured down to Guadalajara Mexico to check out a 5 bbl steam fired brew-house that was (and still is) for sale. Although we did not purchase the equipment never-the-less it was a fun trip.  We tasted a new craft beer from a brewery in Guadalajara called Minerva.  I can honestly say that Minerva’s beers are a refreshing step in the right direction for Mexico beer. 

May 16th 5 hours after receiving an email about a 10 bbl direct fired brew-house available in Gunnison, Colorado, Rich, Karu, Lao Tzu (our doggies) and I were packed in our VW Westy and heading East.    

Twenty hours later upon arrival to view the equipment we learned that not only had someone else beat us there but this someone else had put in a full price offer.  We viewed the system and decided to go to the Gunnison Brewery to talk it over.  Ultimately, we didn’t think the equipment was worth bidding more than the asking price and so we camped, played some disc golf, drank a few brews and headed to Goblin Valley State Park in Utah.