The title says it all. I started Homebrewing in the fall of 1989. Last year, I scheduled 2 knee replacement surgeries, the first January 2025, the second July 2025.
Before the first surgery, I brewed a boatload of ales and lagers, so I had plenty on tap post surgery. Around April, I had recuperated enough and went on a brewing tear, with last batch brewed in early June and all beers kegged and in the keezer by the end of July when my next surgery was scheduled.
Given how my previous recovery period lasted, I was expecting to begin brewing again end of September. But an unexpected event occurred. I drew a cow moose permit, which is like winning the lottery for a Montana hunter. So, instead of brewing, I went moose hunting. I ended up bagging a cow moose on mid October. Time to brew? No, wife had scheduled a beer trip to Catalonia in early November (beertrips.com, Mike is a great beer guide). So, no time to brew, fine, I will start when I get back.
We come home, and first thing I notice is our tap water is off. I looked it up, and found our water supply has been changed while the water treatment plant is getting upgrades. The alternative water source is Missouri River water, which is unsuitable for brewing (its unsuitable even for making star san solution). And now its the middle of winter, 2 feet of snow on top of all my brewing equipment.
I can’t wait for spring. Ready to try to revive some expired Saison yeast smack packs. My lagering freezer is currently out of commission, as it holds 300 lbs of moose meat. 🫎
