that it’s quite possible to home brew
using a stock pot and other items
that are found in most kitchens. “A
starter kit is usually about a hundred
bucks, but that has everything from
the capper to sometimes even your
first ingredients.”
He loves to share his passion,
and does so in the context of a
local Home Brew Club, which
meets, conveniently, at Sunken
City Brewery. “We just started
it last month. We meet the first
Monday of every month, 7 PM,
here.” Incidentally, no experience
is necessary. “We’ve got people that
have never brewed before.”
The brewing process is relatively
simple. It starts with malted
barley. For the curious, Jeremy
explains that barley grains are force
germinated, and then dried to arrest
the germination. It’s also roasted, to
varying degrees depending on the
desired color and flavor of the brew.
This releases the nutrients that will
feed the yeast. Yeast is commonly
found in the air, but rather than leave
the process to chance, the malted
barley is boiled in water, creating a
flavored “sugar water” mixture that
is sterile. Hops are then added.
Hops are a flower that grows in
many places around the world, and
flavors vary considerably. This is one
of the factors that give regional beer
varieties their distinct characteristics.
The overarching characteristic of
hops is the bitterness, which is used
in beer in order to balance out the
sweetness of the malt. This flowering
plant grows at a rate of 25 feet per
year, which makes for an abundant
harvest. Sunken City Brewery has
hops growing in the garden out in
front of the building, but it’s purely
ornamental. Jeremy uses pelletized
hops in order to speed the process;
this also permits the brewer to
import different varieties from
around the world.
The brew is now transferred to
a fermenting tank. Brewer’s yeast is
then added. Yeast is a small organism
that converts sugar into alcohol
through its digestive process. So
in fact, alcohol is the waste that is
produced when the yeast consumes
the sugar. It may be best not to
dwell very long on this point, but
that is how fermentation occurs
in nature. The brewing process
permits controlled fermentation
that contains no other unwanted
organisms or ingredients.
From start to finish, it takes
about a month or two to brew a
batch of beer. Careful handling is
required, for beer spoils quickly
when exposed to light. That’s why
bottled beer is typically marketed in
dark glass bottles, and also why tap
beer seems to taste better. It doesn’t
see the light of day until it’s drawn
into your glass.
Sunken City Brewery offers the
public the opportunity to sample
Jeremy’s creations in a pub-like
atmosphere. Their flagship brew,
Dam Lager, is available locally on
tap and also in cans. Jake’s Place, a
restaurant on the lake, is another
good place to experience craft beer.
They typically have as many as 10
different varieties on tap, and the
choices change constantly in order
to keep things interesting.
Lake residents might puff out
our chests with pride, knowing that
we have our own craft brewery, but
in fact, most Americans now live
within 10 miles of a craft brewery.
That’s good news, as most would
agree that we could all benefit from
a good dose of civilization.
Walt Turner
REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, SFR, CDPE
Phone: 540-493-4469
Email:
Web:
at the Lake
Nothing South
of Extraordinary!
All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, and should be independently veri ed. Listing data provided by Roanoke Valley MLS.
Call Walt Turner today at 540-493-4469 or email
For complete listings, visit
6847 Floyd Highway, Willis
Life Is Good at this Sensational Country Estate. Horse or alpaca
farm (25-30 +/- acres) or a TurnKey B&B Invest opportunity! More
acreage avail (65), additional guest house, and pond. 40x80 (17Ft
Ceiling) electric, Septic, Metal Barn. Additional Barn-12 Stalls, 8
Paddocks for horses. HUGE 2-car garage. Floyd Middle School.
P
ossible owner finance!
#791256
$1,599,000
415 Channel View Drive, Moneta
Open Floor Plan for Entertaining! Designer Feel, Yet Warm, Cozy
Home…for YOUR Extended Family! 5 Bdrm/3 Bdrm Septic. One
Level Living, w/HUGE wrap around deck (tempered glass). LL
3-Season Porch and Patio! Located in a NO Wake Cove, just off the
Main Channel. For the Passionate Collector, 2 5-Car Garages for All
TOYS!
#790789
$936,900
3357 Trading Post Road, Huddleston
Exquisite Lake Home with Covered Dock & Party Deck. Entry Level
Master Suite with Garden Tub. Great Room with Cathedral Ceilings,
Fireplace, & Overlooking Lake/Open Porch. Gourmet Kitchen with
Granite Countertops & Stainless Appliances. Gentle Slope To The
Water. Paved Driveway to Garage & Front Door. All Offers Must
Accompany qualification letter or proof of funds for cash. Sold ''As Is
.”
#790581
$510,000
1040 Forest Way Circle, Moneta
Incredible opportunity to own as Smith Mountain Lake. This expansive,
partially remodeled home features open space, 1672 ft. of decking,
covered porches and patios, nature trail to gazebo, sandy beach and
wonderful dock with lift and boat house. This is an investor’s dream
come true and may provide great rental potential. Square footage and
taxes estimated. All inspections for purchaser’s knowledge.
#797292
$499,900
308 Spring Drive, Huddleston
Sunrise w/your Coffee! Park Like Shade Trees & Perennials-nestled
into the Gentle Slope Lot. Charming Lake House on Craddock Creek
with Lake Views to Mariners Landing Pointe Community. New
Bamboo floors, Roof & Paint (in & out) New Concrete Patio (Lake
Level), Rennovated Kitchen, 2 Fireplaces(propane), This is a cozy
Lake House-Ready for your Family to begin making memories.
#796336
$498,600
410 Marina Bay Drive, Penhook
Sensational Lake & Golf Views from this Top Flr. Condo at The
Waters Edge-Wonderful Soaring Cathedral Ceilings & Turn-Key
Furnishings! All NEW Stainless Appliances, Flooring, Counter Tops &
Paint! Come enjoy SM Lake! & The Waters Edge CC. Leased Boat
Slips Available with Active Country Club Membership. Transferable
from current owner. Great ''Top'' Floor Investment!
#774398
$209,000
161 Baytree Court, Moneta
Unique opportunity, water access with 6.34 acres. Additional
master and bath to be finished by purchaser. Very detailed tile
work throughout the home and beautiful wood floors on entry
level. Lower level heated floors, gazebo with hot tub and massive
detached double garage.
#797607
$199,900
110 Sailors Cove Drive, Moneta
Furnished! Enjoy Sensational Lake & Mtn Views from your Condo!
Great Sunrises! Windows All Around-w/Open Entertainment spaces!
New Engineered Hardwoods Being Installed & Newly Painted in April.
Consider Owner Financing. Wonderful FP-Middle Condo (Bldg on R)
New dishwasher 2012, Dry Covered Deck, Alarm System. Updated
Bath & Kitchen Fixtures. Renovated Deluxe Status w/Bernards Rental.
#792720
$178,950
16109 Smith Mountain Lake Pkwy, Huddleston
Wonderful lake get away and right on the money, Sold completely
furnished and sold ''AS IS'' Waterfront Condo on Smith Mountain
Lake; Beautiful Lake and Sunset views. Walk-In Ground Floor
Unit: Amenities include pool. Covered and un-covered boatdock
are available at the Marine just below Belview Bay. Purchaser to
verify all information.
#798296
$59,888
Long & Foster Realtors
O ce: 540-297-4111
16869 Moneta Rd.
Moneta, VA 24121
Beer Continued...
Hops growing in front of Sunken City Brewery
Discover Smith Mountain Lake
Winter 2014
20
