Keg Collar Label Approval!

TTB Approved!

We got approval from the TTB, it took us a couple of tries, but thankfully the online COLAs submittal process makes it much quicker than snail mail. This was our third attempt for approval of our original label; we had left out a couple of things:

1. Alc. x% by Vol. (we forgot the "By Volume")
2. Added "-Style" behind Kölsch and Vienna, otherwise it is misleading--we are not from Cologne or Vienna. We don't want to mislead anyone...

It was interesting working with the TTB because the text content wasn't the only issue. The size of the text proved to be a challenge. Regulations said that the text in the Gov't Warning (on the left side of the label) and in the Beer Name section had to be 3 and 2mm high respectively.

However to measure the text, the TTB doesn't print out your art - they literally get out a ruler or calipers and measure the art on their screen. Yes, they measure the height of the characters on the monitor. If I say it again, will you believe me? Our graphics team was pulling out their hair when I found this out, but the solution was simple. No, I did not tell them to adjust the resolution of their monitor. We did have Patton slightly enlarge the whole label so it actually just appeared larger. Voila. Same label, larger, approved.

Now to be sure, the text on our label is 3.2mm and 2.7mm, well above standard, but only after pumping up the size of the file did approval come - once it appeared larger than 3mm on their monitors. It's a crazy world out there at the TTB, but we live in it...

In other news, we got our stickers from Sticker Robot and they look pretty dang awesome too.

Not For Sale.

We will not be selling in these bottles, they are for your viewing pleasures only (unless you are a bar or restaurant in which case I'll be bringing these by for sampling in the near future!) However, if you want a sticker - come on by!

Kegs Arrive!

Major Laser.

The kegs arrived a few days ago from Plastic Kegs America. They come with some nice etching on the sides. I'm wondering whether I should spray paint a big "H" on the side just for kick however... Neon blue perhaps.

Plenty of Storage.

240 Gallons worth of keg space, also known as eight barrels. Do you think that will be enough for distribution? 

Light Weight.

21 lbs empty versus 29-31 lbs for an empty steel keg. That is a 28% reduction. They are quiet too, which is great, but bad news for my steel drum band side project.

Remember.

The biggest issue I've heard of is that they are a little taller than a standard steel keg. Hopefully that will not be an issue.

Oh, and an Osprey Flew By...

SD World Beer Cup Winner's 2010

The World Beer Cup list of winners is out. San Diego did a mighty fine job this year. I can't wait to get our brews out there! This year SD got 9 Golds, 7 Silvers, and 5 Bronzes. I've tried the majority of these brews (still need to try four of them) and I can say they are all world class.

Best Small-Sized Brewery & Brewmaster:
Ballast Point Brewery - San Diego, CA

Belgian Pale Strong Ale:
SILVER: Revelations - Pizza Port Carlsbad

Other Strong Beer:
SILVER: Stout - Green Flash Brewing

Out of Category - Traditional Brewed Ales:
GOLD: Fathon IPL - Ballast Point Brewery
SILVER: Hot Rocks Lager - Port Brewing

English-Style Brown:
SILVER: Longboard Brown - Rock Bottom La Jolla

Wood or Barrel Aged Strong Beer:
GOLD: Bourbon Aged Piper Down Scottish Ale - Ballast Point

Scottish Ale:
GOLD: Wee Heavy - AleSmith
BRONZE: Reed's Wee Heavy - Pizza Port Carlsbad

South German-Style Weizen-Bock:
GOLD: Decadence 2009 - AleSmith

Irish-Style Red:
GOLD: Red Trolley - Karl Strauss
BRONZE: Rag Top Red - Rock Bottom La Jolla

Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout:
SILVER: Port Truck Stout - Pizza Port Carlsbad

German-Style Dopplebock / Eisbock:
GOLD: Broken Skeg - Breakwater Brewing

American-Style Strong Pale Ale:
GOLD: O'Brien's IPA - Alpine Beer Co

American-Style IPA:
BRONZE: Duet - Alpine Beer Co

American-Style Red/Amber:
GOLD: Rudolph's Red - Rock Bottom La Jolla

Baltic-Style Porter:
BRONZE: Token - Alpine Beer Co

Imperial Red:
BRONZE: Shark Attack - Pizza Port Solana Beach

American-Style Stout:
SILVER: Sticky Stout - Pizza Port Carlsbad

Oud Red:
SILVER: Red Poppy - The Lost Abbey

International Pale Ale:
GOLD: Sculpin IPA - Ballast Point

P.S. I would also like to let everyone know that Lawson's Finest Liquids of Vermont won a Bronze for their Maple Trippel. Way to go Nano!

The Installation of the Brewery.

Greg loading up the Burner and Whirl Pool Stand.
The stand fit perfectly into the back of a standard full-sized truck. Almost like we engineered it that way.

Old Dominion Dropping of the Conicals.
Our four 60 gallon conicals arrive via freight. I think Old Dominion is my favorite trucking company. Such a great name.

Brew Stand is in Place.

Slowly but surely this place is coming together. 

Mike and Jorge working on the Kettles.

You can see more of his work on JplusE.com, the man is an artist.

1.66 Barrel Brew System.
Almost complete. We just need some Stainless Steel Tri-Clover fittings and some hoses and we will be in Business!