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Lumberjack Stout (the label, not the beer)

Yes, I realize that I'm posting during March Madness. Yes, I realize that Tennessee just spanked UVA (suck on that, Joel). But that doesn't mean that we're not hard at work.

Thanks to Eli's suggestion, I've been working on another version of the Lumberjack [Oatmeal] Stout label. One that doesn't involve a falling tree, but instead, axes. I still tried to incorporate the tree, but honestly, I have no idea what the response to this thing will be like. So. What's the response to this thing like? Are we there yet? C'mon, I can take it.

Asheville inflates our already monstrous egos

If our trip to Asheville taught us anything, it was that our dream of a microbrewery isn't as far away as previously assumed. Asheville's Highland Brewery (pictured left), the most reputable of the 3 breweries we toured, used the same hops, yeast and grain as we did – down to the brands.

You can see Peter and Jeff actually discussing Highland's measurements. I was taking the picture (a thankless job), but apparently we also use the same measures as Highland, though ours are in a super-dorky Excel spreadsheet.

The head brewer was actually there brewing a cider for himself and Jeff got to talk to him for 15 minutes or so. In summary, scale seems to be the single biggest difference between us and them. And the fact that they make money. And the fact that their head brewer owns (and wears) a PBR shirt. But no worries, we'll get Jeff one soon.

Dissent in the ranks

We've been basking in the overwhelmingly positive response to our Redcoat Bitter name/label. I'm not one to pat myself on the back, but we pretty much nailed that one. Unfortunately, we have yet to nail the Lumberjack Stout (you can either click the link or scroll two posts down to see the label).

Undoubtedly Joel will take offense to the very phrase "nail the Lumberjack," as he is convinced that 75% of all lumberjacks are gay. We question his statistics. I (and most others, I believe) like the name itself. If not the name, the idea of a lumberjack beer.

So here's where you come in. What image would be more potent than a fallen tree? I agree this is not our strongest work to date. If you don't care for the name "Lumberjack Stout," offer up something better. Though preferably still lumberjack-themed. We're going for the 25% straight lumberjack demographic here.

Lagers Coming Soon

To date, we at Monday Night Brewery have stuck to ales. Partly because we like ales. And partly because Joel's house is always at about 68 degrees, which is a great temperature to ferment ales. But a time is soon coming when our temperature control skills will be greatly enhanced. We are investing in a chest freezer that we're planning to convert into a fermentation chiller. How exactly to set it up is still a little hazy - if you have any suggestions on modifying a freezer for lagering and cold fermentations, let us know.

Full house! Also, zombies!

I just got back from Tuesday Night Zombies. After the success of Monday Night Brews, a few of us (okay, just me and Phil) decided to follow it up with a weekly night of dinner-and-a-zombie-movie. This night's flick was the groundbreaking, albeit controversial Romero classic Dawn of the Dead. They said it was controversial anyway. It wasn't.

But I digress. Before I hit the sack, I wanted to thank everyone who showed up Monday night to help us brew and consume beer. We had the largest showing ever (around 15 I believe), and the night was quite fun. Essentially, this is why we brew beer (besides the taste). So please, continue to come by. And if any of you out-of-towners are ever in the Atlanta area on a Monday night, drop us a line. We'd love to have you, unless you're really mean or steal stuff or something. And if you liked our Christmas Ale, please, don't come by. We've changed.

Lumberjack Stout: the newest addition to the MNB family

And just when you thought we couldn't get any more awesome. We have officially renamed our stout Lumberjack Stout (in lieu of Breakfast Stout, which, frankly, doesn't meet the high MNB bar).

Wait... I think it should actually be Lumberjack Oatmeal Stout. Dang it.

No, seriously, I just realized that as I type this. Now I have to redo it. Sonufa!