This is me…

Minnesota through and through.

Hi. My name is Scott, and I am new to this whole “blogging” thing, but I thought I’d give it a go.

My buddy and I recently started homebrewing around the same time   he has taken advantage of this whole blogging craze (while I’ve been sitting by the wayside), and he’s been reaping the benefits ever since. I just hope I can stay committed to this.

A little about me (because this is really going to be the only post you ever read about me)…

I was born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I went to college in Grand Forks, ND and studied Airport Management (what?!) and Spanish. I also learned how to drink beer (cheap, crappy, watered-down, so-called “beer”). Well, actually… that isn’t entirely true. I learned how to drink real beer when I graduated and actually started making money at (you won’t believe it) an association that represents airports around the world.

I have been out in Alexandria, VA for the past three years, and have done a lot in that time. That being:

1. Joined a running club, hockey team, roller hockey team, soccer team and rock climbing gym

2. Started back up with swing dancing in D.C.

3. Welcomed my best friends to D.C. (where they also just moved)

4. Rekindled a friendship with a buddy from a college study abroad trip

5. Found my roots (of being a Minnesotan) by becoming a fisherman and huntsman (thanks to my buddy/roommate)

I only hunt to perfect my zombie killing skills.

6. The point of this blog… STARTED HOMEBREWING!!!

My cousin Zach, probably the coolest kid on the block, got me this homebrew kit from Northern Brewer (yeah, I’ll definitely give them a shoutout), and I haven’t really slowed down since.

Big ole’ catfish!

I was one of those guys that wanted to jump right in to all-grain brewing, but I had a few things in the way. The extract kit that my cuz gave me, lack of knowledge as to how all-grain brewing really worked (effectively), and $$$. It was time to acquire the skills, tools and knowledge to obtaining my ultimate dream. Starting my own microbrewery.

YEAH. I know what you’re thinking… Another microbrewery dream, and another guy that doesn’t really know what he’s doing. Au contraire. I know a few things…

1. This whole “you need to get a real job out of college” mentality is a little broken (another post for another day)

2. I LOVE beer.

3. I LOVE making beer.

4. I LOVE having my friends try my beer and say, “This is actually pretty good. Can I have another?”.

5. I know business… I studied it. I’ve lived it.

Belgian Wit! Turned out pretty good…

I grew up hearing about how homebrewed beers were something to “watch out for”. Maybe back in the day, first batches were always something to watch out for, but brewing (from my first two experiences) is actually quite simple. Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. It’s compleletely possible for ANYBODY, whether it be your first homebrew or your first 15,000 gallon batch, to spoil a beer. I’m hopeful that my blog will be a place that you can go to hear funny stories, learn about craft beer and brewing, and learn how to brew your own beer. Maybe while I’m at it, my writing skills will be improved (who knows…  I’m more confident that I can start my own brewery).

Bottling was NOT as easy as I thought it would be…

For now, I hope you will follow my blog and comment on my posts!

Oh… in case you were wondering, Boeser Brau came from my last name and my heritage (I suppose). My great grandparents came over from Germany and Ireland in the late 1800’s to farm and live a freed man’s (woman’s) life. When they came through Ellis Island and gave their name Böser, pronounced Boozer (yeah yeah, laugh it up), it was documented as “Boeser”. My family pronounces it Besser. Anyway, enough history… Böser in German means: wicked man, evil, corrupt and bad… I’m not against that. Bräu simply means Brew. Boeser Brew is my site, and it’s my future brewery name! (hmmm… should I copyright that?)

Well… That’s it for my first ever blog. Happy drinking and reading!

Prost!