James Bywater.

The Basics

Where are you from?
Lincolnshire, UK

I’ve been a Lauter Day Brewers member:
2.5 years.

Do you have a homebrewing disaster you’d like to share?
I got an urgent work phone call one Sunday just after I had put my immersion cooler into my kettle. I was only away for a minute or two but when I can back the hoses on the chiller had caught fire! I had to make quick repairs and got the wort chilled eventually – that beer went on to win a medal at the beehive brewoff. The next time I brewed that same beer, I fell asleep during the boil and woke up to 1.135 gravity wort and a sticky mess all over my patio – again the beer was good though!

Do you have any pets or kids named after beer styles or ingredients?
No.

Do you have a good Homebrew club story you’d like to share?
Nothing in particular but one highlight was manning the LDB stand at homebrew con 2018 and serving some of the club’s beers to John Palmer, Brad Smith and others.

If you could serve your homebrew to someone famous, who would it be and what would you give her/him?
James Watt from Brewdog. I’ve drank beers with him before and he has an amazing palate. I’d serve him something I was proud of.

List some of the names you’ve given your beers. Which is your favorite?
Sump Oil (imp stout), WASP god (that one has a wasp in it).

Have you won any homebrew competition medals? If yes, what place and for what beer(s)?
Bronze at BBO ‘18 for Sump Oil.

Are you a BJCP Judge? If so, what is your rank and how long have you been judging??
No.

Brewing Experience

How long have you been homebrewing?
3.5 years.

What was the first beer you ever brewed and how did it turn out?
IPA kit from Hong Akingbade brew craft. Awful.

What is/are your favorite style(s) to brew?
IPAs, Porter/Stout

What style(s) would you never brew?
I’ll give anything a go.

Do you have a favorite homebrew trick or gadget that you’ve found to make your beer better/brewing easier, etc?
Hydra chiller.

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

How I Brew

Describe Your Brew system
I just moved to BIAB with a 10 gal kettle on a gas burner. I have a 7 gal conical as well as a couple of glass 6 gal fermenters.

How frequently do you brew?
About once a month.

Are you an indoor or outdoor brewer?
Outdoor.

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

Do you have a favorite hop? If yes, what is it and why do you like it?
Amarillo – just tastes and smells great in dry hop.

Do you have a favorite malt? If yes, what is it and why do you like it?
Solstice because it’s local!

Do you have a favorite yeast? If yes, what is it and why do you like it?
Imperial Pub.