One of the first beers we brewed on our “professional equipment” was our Just Wright IPA, a beer we’ve been making for a long while. We do have a few recipes from back in the homebrew days that we still brew now. What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?īoth: As homebrew, I think we brewed a brown ale that probably taught us exactly how little we knew about brewing at the time. Photo courtesy of Altered Genius Brewing. As a result, we offer a pairing experience of Jekyll and Hyde, showcasing the impact of those yeasts in two strikingly different, complex beers that only differ in fermentation. We decided to brew two batches and try both, a traditional English Ale yeast and an Abbey Style yeast. When we started this recipe 8 or 9 years ago, we were in agreement on the malts and hops, AND the fresh, roasted sweet potatoes, the nutmeg, the brown sugar, and the maple syrup, but we had two different ideas about what yeast profile we wanted. Jekyll and Hyde, our pairing of Fall seasonal brews, is a great example of using a creative approach. However, we probably get the most creative with some of our seasonal offerings. Mike: I think we offer a stylistically robust portfolio of beers and that in itself shows creativity. We have done some very creative, unique beers in a variety of styles. Typically we focus on traditional beer styles, but that doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate our creativity as well. What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?ĭonnie: We generally brew a variety of beer styles. We brewed together for 10-11 years (and took some courses to better educate ourselves) before we began adjusting some recipes to pilot on a 2bbl system in preparation for Altered Genius. At the time, Donnie and I shared a classroom where we teach and we began talking about the shared interest. Mike: I have an affinity for DIY projects and I like beer, so naturally I was interested in trying the process so, I received a homebrew kit as a gift. After many years of brewing together, we decided to make the most of our opportunity to open Altered Genius. Gradually, we began to get better at the process and started upgrading our equipment. I remember thinking, “I can make my own beer!?” Soon after that, Mike and I met and we began brewing together in our garages. How did you get started as a brewer?ĭonnie: I had a friend who brought some of his home brew to my camp. After that, a few beer trips through Colorado and Vermont really solidified my passion for craft beer. Honestly, I believe some of my appreciation for craft beer can be linked to a couple of wine trips I took in my early 20s as I began to view craft beer tasting through a similar lens. Mike: I think it’s natural to gravitate towards something that tastes better and has more variety. Through that process, I learned how much I enjoyed a lot of beers I had never thought to try. At the time they had a book that you could use to track the beers I was drinking and I earned rewards. What was your introduction to craft beer?ĭonnie: I started hanging out at a few places after college that carried craft beer, Fat Heads being most notable. Read more to find out their introduction to craft beer, where they see the craft beer industry heading, and more! Mike Hass (L) and Donnie Cardone (R). Mike Hass and Donnie Cardone are the owners and brewers at Altered Genius Brewing. As the story goes, the two brewers behind the brewery (Mike and Donnie) originally worked together as teachers in alternative education (hence the name….Altered Genius).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |