Visit dry dock brewing co.
The brewery was Aurora, Colorado’s first when owners Kevin DeLange and Michelle Reding opened with a 7 BBL brewhouse in a 900-square-foot space in 2005.
Lori Parsons
- How long have you been homebrewing/winemaking? I have been brewing beer for a bit over 29 years and wine for about 25 years.
- How did you first get started in Homebrewing/Winemaking? I got my husband a brewing kit for Christmas in 1993, 6 years later, my beer was better than his, so he has been letting me brew all our beer since then. I was at the Brew Hut, buying beer ingredients and one of the guys told me that since I liked wine as well, I might as well start making wine along with the beer. I have 4 wines and 1 beer fermenting right now.
- What are your favorite styles to make? I really like my nut brown and my milk stout, so those are usually always on tap at one of my houses, but I brew everything, but sours.
- Are you a member of any brew clubs or organizations? I joined the Aurora City Brew Club last year and have really enjoyed getting to know everybody and learning new things. Currently taking a course for becoming a beer judge.
- Have you won any medals or awards? Haven’t won anything, yet, but only entered my first competition at the Brew Hut last year.
- Describe your brewing system or equipment: For a gift to myself when I retired from United, I bought a Brewzilla system…that was 2 years ago and I have brewed around 56 batches of beer on it so far.
(The Brewzilla, making a Holy Mole beer in the fall) - What piece of equipment or brewing process has made the most difference in your beer and/or wine? Before I bought the Brewzilla, I was doing partial mashes with dry malt. The first beer I made in the Brewzilla was my nut brown and then I did another doing a partial mash and dry malt. My older brother and I then did the side-by-side taste test and WOW, the all-grain was so much better. Really love the ease of using the system and the great-tasting beers it has been producing for me.
- What other fermented beverages have you made? So besides the beer and wine, I also make mead, ciders, and hard seltzers. It is a great hobby and keeps me busy
- List of any other hobbies or interests. I retired as a captain from United Airlines in 2020 after flying for them for 30+ years and haven’t missed flying the big planes. I do have my own airplane, a 1947 Beech Bonanza and it has been down for maintenance for a while, so really looking to get it back in the air for some general aviation fun! I also have a ranch and will ride my horses occasionally and I do go skiing and at a number of different areas in the winter.
- Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself? I never knew buying that brew kit for my husband would lead us to still be brewing and enjoying the process so many years later. The people at the Brew Hut have always been so helpful and great to work with. I look forward to earning my judging credentials and to keep learning about brewing.