Traditionally, the Iron Kettle competition is centered around a secret ingredient that must be utilized in the beer.

We’ll be doing it a bit differently this year by providing all participating club members a “Black is Beautiful” kit from Gentile’s. This imperial stout recipe was developed by Weathered Soul Brewing and has been tweaked and brewed by over a thousand pro breweries across the country (including many here in Ohio).

This time, the secret ingredient(s) will be chosen and provided by the brewers. If you have a inventive, wild, or unique idea for something to tweak your beer with, keep it a secret. As all the base styles will be the same, your yeast and secret ingredient(s) choices will be your opportunity to make your beer stand out from the rest. The beers brewed at Iron Kettle will be judged later for bragging rights.

• What You’ll Need To Bring

Your all-grain brewing set up which may include, but isn’t limited to:
Burner
Kettle
Mash Tun
Propane Tank
Fermentation Vessel (Carboy/Bucket)
Pump/Extension Cords
Cleaner and sanitizer
Oxygen
Grain mill
Tents/Canopies are advised in the case of bad weather
Table/Chairs
Chiller/Hose Splitter/Pre-chiller/Bucket/Ice/Hose(s) – In addition to the Brewery’s hose bib, AJ will try to rig one of the tanks with a garden hose outlet and several barrels of water in it to provide another source of chilling water. If possible, plan on using a pre-chiller. An ice run may have to be made at some point. The less water the group needs the better everyone can be accommodated.

Secret Ingredient
The secret ingredient(s) that you provide can be used during the brew day, during fermentation, or any other time you want to add it. You do not need to utilize it on site, but you’ll need to declare your secret ingredient prior to the kits being distributed.

Yeast
Please bring as much of your chosen yeast as needed for the kit(s) you’re brewing. You do not need to pitch on site, but you’ll need to declare your yeast strains prior to the kits being distributed.

• What’s Optional To Bring

Kegged Beer
AJ has offered kegerator/tap space if you’d like to bring a keg of beer to share.

• What You Don’t Need To Bring

Ingredients
Each brewer will receive an all-grain kit for a 5 gallon batch, including all malt and hops.

Brewing Water
Filtered water will be provided at the brewery. (If it can’t be, we’ll notify everyone prior to the event.)

Lunch
The club will provide a lunch around midday.

• When and Where Is This?

Dan Meyers, AJ and Hoster Brewing Company (655 N James Rd #1837, Columbus, OH 43219) will be hosting this event on Saturday October 17th. Brewers can arrive anytime from 8:00am on but should be setup and ready for a 9:00am start, at which time the kits will be distributed.

They ask that participants park at the far ends of the rear lot, in such away as not to block an emergency vehicle if necessary, leaving the center portion of the lot (outside the brewery) available for set up of brewing equipment. They have dollies and flat rolling carts to make bringing in your equipment easier. With prior arrangement, it’s even possible for participants to drop off equipment a day early and pick items up the following Sunday or Monday.

• How Do I Reserve My Spot?

Email Ryan Bell at spiderwrangler@gmail.com. If you are brewing with a partner, make sure to let Ryan know the total number of kits you’ll need (1 kit per brewer).

This is a fun event to brew as a team. If you are brewing as a team and planning on doing a 10-gallon batch, just let Ryan know so he can have two kits on hand for you and your brew partner. Ingredient kits will be provided for all participating current club members, so if you’re brewing with a non-club member and request an additional kit for them, that cost will be covered by them (or you if you’re really nice).

If you want to brew but don’t have a portable brewing system and would like to team up with someone, let Ryan know.

If you have the ability to brew a 10-gallon or larger batch and are willing to have someone team up with you, let Ryan know that too.

• When do I need to commit to this event?

The deadline to sign up is Sunday October 11th by the end of the day. That will give Ryan and Gentile’s a chance to make sure that they can order in all of the necessary ingredients and make up the kits in time.

** If there are any further changes to these details, we’ll update everyone asap. **