Saturday, 21 July saw the inaugural Queensland Beer Week Home Brew Day, and the setting of a new World Brewing Record.
To mark the day, Brewers Choice, sponsor of Queensland Beer Week, ran a series of home brewing demonstrations across their six stores introducing people to the art of home brewing.
These demonstrations were followed up with a combined brewing effort to set a World Record for the most people brewing in one place at one time – at the Wacol store.
In all, approximately 100 people participated in the demonstrations and record attempt. The official account for the World Record now stands at 37 brewers. The logistics for producing 850 litres of beer – with a steady demand for hot and cold water, beer kits, grain, hops, stoves and electricity – were complicated but ultimately it all worked on the day. Participants ranged from first-time brewers through to seasoned all-grainers, with everyone excited to be involved.
Brewer Choice extended a special thanks to Matt and Fiona who put in a 650km round trip – lugging their Braumeister all the way – to participate on the day. And also to the Lockyer Valley Brewers who travelled down to Brisbane for the attempt and, more importantly, stayed behind to help clean up after the day was over.
With side demonstrations on new Blichmann Hop Rockets and Bottle Filling Guns, as well as a Food Demonstrator whipping up a quick 5 kilos of tasty, home-made sausages for the BBQ, the day was enjoyed by all the participants and onlookers.
Next year’s record attempt is set to be bigger and better but in the meantime, the challenge is on for other groups to beat the new World Brewing Record.