Faucet re-build

Sometimes a lil' brewer girl can be intimidated when things aren't working properly because that means she will have to fix it.  This can be fun because you get to take stuff apart and figure out what's wrong.  This can be annoying because you then have to put things back together in working order.

I have Perlick faucets because they are awesome!  But not awesome when they start leaking and making a big mess everywhere.

Stout stained carpet

And how lucky that both faucets are leaking at the same time.  Ugh!  Time to get some know how from the internet and take these faucets apart, fix them, then try to put them back together.

Sideways view of tap assembly

After I took this all apart I realized that I could have just taken the taps off the tower.  Duh :)  I didn't actually have to take the shank out of the tower too.  But I was in destructo mode and in the end I'm glad I did because on examining my lines, I realized that they could use a change out and this would be the perfect time.  It was easy taking the taps all apart and interesting.   I figured out where all the o-rings were, and that those were likely the problem.  I wan't really sure how long it had been since they were new.  The hard part came a couple weeks later, when the replacement rings came and I had to remember how to put this all back together.  There are acutally a few more pieces that go on the inside of the tower not shown in this photo and embarrassingly it took me a few tries to get them all in the right order and in the right direction so it all screwed together. 



In the end I replaced 3 o-rings, the handle lever (which probably didn't need replaced), the coupling nuts which were very badly worn, and both the beverage and CO2 lines, just because I was already feeling handy.  Now it's all back together and ready for new brews and no more leaks!

Pliny the Elder

Spending Valentine's Day with one of my true loves, HOPS!!  A rarity in southwestern Colorado, I was so happy to snag the LAST two bottles of Pliny at the liquor store the other day!  Apparently they get a shipment of this gem only about every 6 weeks and they don't even put it out in the coolers.  You have to just know about it and ask for it.  Crazy! 

First time a got to experience the hoppy deliciousness in my mouth was actually at Russian River Brewing.  On a road trip with my mom several years ago, we made a detour on our journey just to hit up the brewery.  We were only able to spend a little bit of time there and I have been jonesing to go back ever since.

As you can see in the picture Pliny is on the light side.  But don't be fooled, loaded with hops it also has tons of body to back that hop up without lots of caramel.  A double IPA at 8%, it's up there but not over the edge.  It has little to no alcohol bite, super piney hops on the nose, and a slightly bitter big hop party in your mouth with the perfect amount of malt to balance it out.  They brew this in small batches (hence the rarity) and put the bottled date on the bottle so you know you are enjoying it fresh.  Don't age it or you'll loose all the fresh hoppiness.  

I am so in love with Pliny! 

Peach Porch Lounger

I don't know why but sometimes I get a wild hair to branch out from drinking IPAs.  I saw peach on the label and was reminiscing on a beer I had last year around August from Crazy Mountain.  Perfectly added fresh local peaches gave a subtle peach aroma and sweet aftertaste to, what tasted like their Mountain Livin Pale Ale.  I usually don't like fruit beers but this one nailed it on the head for me.  So I picked up this bottle of Peach Porcher.  I knew it wouldn't live up, I mean first of all, it's a sour beer.  But maybe it would have a nice hint of peach to please the palate.  Or maybe not. 

I got out my guitar and was ready for some lounging.  Not on the porch, or patio, as that is covered in snow right now.  Sniff.  Yep, there's the brettanomyces.  When I first tasted it I was thinking more of a sour beer, but it really tastes alot like a saison.  Not a lot of body there, or peachiness though.  So now I am confused.  Is it a sour or saison.  I guess it doesn't really matter because it just wasn't doing it for me and at 9.4%, better I don't drink the whole bottle anyway.  I think the best part of this beer is the G. Love logo!  "Yo, can I get a cold beverage!"