THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2003
DRINK
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 5
Home brewing fun pastime
By Lindsey Ramsey and Terry Cox
lramsey@kansan.com and tcox@kansan.com
Jayplay staff writers
Alcohol may factor into the free time of many college students, but Timothy Bush has an advantage in that regard—he makes his own.
The Englewood, Colo., senior began fermenting his own wine early last semester.
"I think it first started with my dad," Bush said. "When I lived in upstate New York, my dad grew grape vines in our back yard and during the fall my friends and I would have fights with the grapes, so my dad never got to make any wine."
Bush decided to relate what his dad had taught him to what he could learn at KU.
"My freshman year, I took a class here called Microclimatology," he said. "Being an atmospheric sciences major, I was able to relate a lot of what I was studying to vineyards."
Bush also took the opportunity to thoroughly learn about his love of wine when he went to work at a vineyard during last summer.
"My primary job was to work with the vines and learn how to properly take care of them," Bush said.
He learned a great deal about the process and some of the techniques the owners use, he said.
"Plus I got paid to drink wine and talk with people from
all over the country."
With all the experiences Bush had gained working at the vineyard, he decided to try to make some wine of his own. He has made types of wine such as semi-dry Riesling, Pinot Noir, and is now in the process of making an apple wine.
"The important thing to remember is it is a hobby," he said.
Bush said it usually took one day, but the final product won't be ready for several weeks to several months.
"It's also very expensive, so just when I have saved enough, it's about time to make another batch," he said.
While the wine aged, Bush and his friends could not wait to taste the finished product.
With the experience Bush has gained from bottling his wines now, he hopes to one day open a winery of his own.
"You take great pride in something that takes months to perfect. I think many go out and drink and never think about where it comes from. I think the more you know about it, the more you enjoy it."
Paul Vincent, Lawrence student, recently started brewing his own beer about a year ago.
"A friend of mine makes his own wine, and got me interested," he said. I'm more of a fan of good beer than wine, so I started brewing. Besides, who wouldn't want to make their own beer?"
These days, anybody with a dumper of malt and an overabundance of fresh hops can make a lip-smacking
tasty beer. But don't be fooled. For first-time brewers it may take several times to get that right taste.
"Some of the first batches I made really sucked, but after I learned some lessons I think they are better," Vincent said. "Of course, it's better than Budweiser. I'd be lying if I were to say that my oatmeal stout is better than Free State's, but I think it is almost as good and I have it on tap in my own home."
In Lawrence, home brewers have a chance to come together and share recipes and methods through the Lawrence Brewers Guild. The Guild meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m.Meetings are held at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.
— Edited by Leah Shaffer
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