When: Sunday, October 20th, 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Where: Snow-Line Orchard; 39400 Oak Glen Road Yucaipa, CA 92399
Dear Members:
We have two updates for you, a field trip and a group project!
Cider Pressing
We arranged with Snow-Line Orchard in Oak Glen (on the outskirts of Yucaipa in San Bernardino County) to do a bulk cider pressing. Snow-Line has their own apple orchard, consisting of numerous varieties of cider and table apples. They’re known to have the best cider in the Oak Glen area.
The way this will work is to bring your PLASTIC fermenters (glass is not allowed) to the cider mill on October 20, 2013 at 11:00 A.M and rendezvous with the rest of the Yeastsiders. The amount of cider you purchase is up to you. We are getting the wholesale price, which is anticipated to be about $9.50 per gallon (please be prepared to pay with cash). Remember, this is unpasteurized, preservative-free, fresh off the press, and they are heirloom apples. Take a look a their varieties. Many of the varieties grown in Oak Glen are antique varieties and are grown no where else in the world.
Here’s a quick tutorial on the cider making process.
The drive to Oak Glen from Los Angeles will take about an hour-and-a-half to two hours. If there is a traffic issue, it might take longer. It is about 90 miles away. You are responsible for your own transportation.
Snow-Line has a barbeque vendor on the premises during this time of year. There are also some other sources of food in the area such as Law’s (a local landmark), That Creative Cafe (fun place with great food), and some others. Alternatively, you can bring your own picnic. In any case, stay hydrated, as we’ll be at a decent altitude (4000′).
We will also be given a tour!
Once the cider pressing is over, please feel free to explore the area. Oak Glen welcomes thousands of local tourists every year. Some of the other orchards in the area offer U-Pick apples and other fun, family-oriented activities. Be sure to dress in layers since we’ll be at high altitude and it can go from hot to chilly as the day winds on.
Please RSVP to your president Jerl Leutz by this Sunday, September 1 to reserve your spot.
Group Buy of Hops & Yeast
We are organizing two group buy opportunities for our participating members.
First is a group buy of bulk hops from Hop Union. If you are a hop-fanatic, like many of us, you must use the best, freshest hops in your hop-forward brews, and you have to use a lot of them. This can get expensive, and it can get frustrating if you cannot find the varieties you need. A bulk purchase allows you to get high-quality, fresh hops at a fraction of the price if you are willing to buy by the pound and store them properly. Purchase will take place in September. Hops can be pellet or leaf, inclusive of US, European, Australian, or New Zealand varietals. Prices vary widely, but a rough ballpark is around $8-$15 per pound. Purchases must be in 1 pound increments, and will be delivered in sealed, oxygen impermeable bags flushed with nitrogen. Total orders for the shipment must be in 11 lb increments, so you must reserve space. We also have access to CO2 extracted hop resin. If you wish to participate, please reserve a slot with Jerl Leutz and indicate the varieties and amounts you wish to purchase, and please also indicate which items are most and least important to you. Space is limited and not all varieties are guaranteed to be available.
Second is a group buy of brewing yeast from the well-known East Coast Yeast (ECY) in New Jersey. This one will require coordination as well because ECY limits orders to 6 vials per shipment. Again, purchase will take place in September or as soon as product is available. Please review their selection and be aware that they are currently only propagating the strains ECY01, ECY02, ECY08, ECY09, ECY10, ECY21, and others still to be announced. Please limit your choice to one vial. If you provide some alternate choices, it would help us to accommodate. We may set up a waiting list if demand is too high. Please contact Jerl Leutz to reserve a slot and indicate your choices and alternates.
In either case, please reserve your slot by this Sunday, September 1.
Thanks for reading and cheers to obscure hops and yeast!
Jerl Leutz – Yeastside Brewers President 2013