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.
How long have you been brewing?
I got started a few Christmases ago after the wife gifted me a 1 gallon kit. Managed to make a mess on brew day – boil over, some spillage, and pitched half the yeast on the counter and the rest into the fermenter (what a lame Christmas gift). Went out of town for a couple of weeks to come back to a bone-dry airlock (it had a tiny crack). Reluctantly botted it anyway – most of it into the bottles – and some of it on the kitchen ceiling/cabinets/floor (f’ing worst Christmas gift ever). Eventually gathered the courage to crack open a bottle after several weeks. Totally shocked it was a decent beer (or at least better than a PBR). I was hooked – best Christmas gift ever!
What is your favorite beer style to make?
This is like choosing your favorite kid. I love ‘em all equally. (Marzen – but don’t tell Scotch Ale I said that.)
Are you a member of any brew clubs or organizations?
No, would like to – but seem to always have a conflict with the meeting times.
Have you won any medals or awards?
Nah – my family judges me enough…
Describe your brewing system or equipment.
I have a Klarstein Mundschenk all-in-one system and a couple of stainless steel bucket fermenters with glycol temperature control.
What piece of equipment has made the most difference in your beer?
I want to say temp control since it’s what I’ve spent the most money on – but I’ve made beers in a plastic bucket and water bath that were just as good. Temp control just makes it much easier and let’s me brew lagers in the middle of summer.
I think the biggest impact on my brews has been some simple water adjustments. $35 to have Ward Laboratories run a water analysis and using the water adjustment tool in BeerSmith. I understand about 1% of water chemistry. But I can follow a monkey see, monkey do approach with what BeerSmith calculates for water adjustments. Didn’t impact all the beers I make – but in a couple of styles it made a big improvement.
What other fermented beverages have you made?
Does silage water count? Go Cornhuskers (not!).
Do you have any other hobbies or special interests?
Woodworking – but at least since I’ve started brewing, I’ve stopped chasing the latest new woodworking gadget.