Who Are You:

Michael Roszkowski

 

Home Town (City, State):

Valparaiso, IN (mostly)

 

I’ve been a homebrewer since:

A couple of years now

 

Do you have a homebrewing disaster you’d like to share?

I’ve had a few airlocks clog and blow lids off of buckets.  Been pretty lucky except for a Russian Imperial Stout that’s now a “wild fermented Russian  Imperial Sour”

 

What is your favorite style(s) to brew?

IPA’s & French/Belgian Styles

 

What style(s) will you never brew?

Never say never, but probably anything in category 1

 

What was the first beer you ever brewed? How did it turn out?

Extract ESB–a listerman kit…it was pretty good.  Fermentation temps were all over the place, so it was pretty estery…in a good way.

 

What is your favorite beer recipe?

I’m kind of happy with my Saison right now, but my AIPA is my (and most of my friends) favorite all-around beer to drink.

 

Are you a BJCP Judge? If so, what is your rank and how long have you been judging?

Yes.  Certified.  Started my “judging” career a year ago and pretty much jumped in with both feet.

Do you have a good beer judging story you’d like to share with the rest of the homebrewing world?

Rotten blue cheese berlinerweiss at NHC last year?  Oh…it was supposed to be a pomegranite berlinerweiss…either way, it was un-smellable (new word) and not even close to drinkable.  I hope I never see that beer or its cousins again.

 

Describe your brew system.

Pretty basic, a cut and valved budweiser keg, and an igloo cooler.  My pump and counter-flow chiller are recent adds.  It gets the job done.  Working on turning a piece of rolling scaffold into a workable brew-stand…right now it’s just another flat surface to collect all my brewing paraphernalia. 

 

How frequently do you brew (times/month or /year)?

No consistency.  1/mo at the least…5 batches in one day was the most.  If I had to average it out, I’d say I do 15-20 gallons per month.  I try to alternate brews between keeping my “old faithfuls” in stock and brewing new recipes. 

 

What is your favorite hop? Why?

Amarillo….just like the other 99% of IPA lovers, I’m sure…I’m partial to fruity hops.

 

Do you have a favorite or house yeast? What qualities do you like about that yeast?

WLP 001 or BRY 97 for IPA’s…super clean and a bit dry.  WLP051 if I want a bit more sweetness and ester. 

 

What’s the most unusual ingredient you’ve ever used in a brew?

Juniper Berries…kumquat and elderflower coming soon.

 

Do you have any pets or kids named after beer styles or ingredients?

I have a dog named Booker after the bourbon…close enough?

 

Have you won any medals in a homebrew competition?

A few. 

 

Do you brew alone, with friends or with someone you live with?

It’s always more fun with friends—especially friends that bring over good beer to share.

 

Are you an indoor or outdoor brewer?

Outdoor—usually when it’s 100+ or -20 degrees…I need to plan more beers for 65-degree days…

 

List some of the names you’ve given your beers. Which is your favorite?

Evil Bunny is probably my favorite…named after the rabbits that keep “pruning” my hop plants.   Of course I’ve had to follow up with “Bride of Evil Bunny,” “Bunny Wood,” Etc…sort of turned into a theme.

 

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Hi, mom!