One week later, a handful of changes to the steam lines, and we achieved boil.

Once again it pays to double-check your equipment. The kettle’s thermometer read 195 degrees. An electronic thermocouple showed it to be off by 19 degrees. We technically had a boil last week, but didn’t realize it.

Lessons learned, we’ll be running a first batch of the Golden State Ale on Saturday. Check back then.

So it turns out that our safety paranoia got the better of us. A pressure reducing valve in the steam line, intended to protect the kettle from exceeding 30psi, is preventing it from reaching boil. No beer today.

Breaking out the wrenches, because we’re back to plumbing.

The first few kernels of malt hitting the rollers.

We’re heating the first liquor and milling our grain. On track for a first batch, the Golden State Ale, to run this evening.

It is Thursday, August 30th, and Uncommon Brewers has begun operations.

Several hours of delving into the arcane arts of 220 volt electrical wiring later, we realize that all of our problems can be traced back to one source: the original wiring in our breaker box was performed by electricians even more amateur than us.

Power has been restored, pumps are running, and tomorrow we make steam.

it… it… it is alive!

Uncommon Brewers is just a few scant weeks out from firing up our first commercial batch. Check back in a few days for some sneak peeks into the brewery startup process and the preparation for first fire in our boiler.