Returning Member from Scotland

[andrewtrsmith]

Hey everyone,

I've been on hiatus for the past 2.5 ~ 3 years while I've been living in Scotland so I thought I would take the time to reintroduce myself. I've been homebrewing for about 7 years now and have done everything from Festabrew kits all the way up to 100L all grain on a nano commercial setup and everything in between. While originally from Dartmouth, I've been living and working in Edinburgh since July '12 as a Finance Systems Specialist (Accountant by qualification, geek by nature) for two different banks, and brewing and drinking wherever I can. I've had the opportunity to take short trips to Belgium and Germany and although didn't get too far out of the cities due to time constraints. I've been able to take in a few different breweries, most notably Cantillon in Brussels which I highly recommend if you get the chance to visit.

My wife and I are returning to Nova Scotia this year, likely back somewhere in the surrounding areas of HRM, but all depends on where I can find work. Knowing the specialist nature of what I do though, I'll be in the city. I'll keep you all posted as to the exact date of when I return (July at the latest, but earlier if I find work earlier), but look forward to being home again.

Prost!
Andrew Smith

[RubberToe]

Welcome back! Are you lugging any brewing equipment back with you?

-Rob

[andrewtrsmith]

Negative, I sold my gear when I moved to Scotland, and over here I've got a whopping 5L all grain setup and its not worth moving it back to NS. I'll be investing in gear again when I move back so it may be a few months before I'm fulling up and running again in all-grain. I will likely breakdown and do a few extract brews when I get back just to fill up some bottles to hold me over.

[GuingesRock]

Hello, Did you get to like Scottish beer styles much?

[jeffsmith]

Welcome back!

[LeafMan66_67]

Welcome!

[redoubt]

[Keith]

Welcome back.

[andrewtrsmith]

I would say my go to beer here is an 80- where it would have been an APA back home. Also have an appreciation for the beer culture where 4% ABV is the norm. There is a strong movement towards North American style beers amongst the Scottish brewers though with some delicious stuff coming out. My favorite is Fyne Ales Brewery who has exploded since I've been here. They also do a 3 day music and beer festival each year at their brewery / farm which is well worth attending if you're over in June. They bring in beers from all over the UK and some continental beers. I can usually work through about 30 over the weekend and all while enjoying great local music and food.

[amartin]

Hey, welcome back!

[akr71]

Welcome back to the forum and an early welcome back to New Scotland.

[LiverDance]

Welcome back Andrew, your former chest freezer has made the rounds since you've been gone. I had it for a good couple of years before trading it to Mr.x for some parts of my electric brewer. I believe he now uses it as a keezer.

[andrewtrsmith]

Glad to hear that it's still being used I hope to build another one in pretty short order when I'm back.

[mr x]

Welcome back! Keezer is chugging along nicely!

[andrewtrsmith]

Well it's all official now. I've got work at the new RBC offices in Bedford and will be moving back June 1st. We will be with the folks for a few weeks or so while we find an apartment in bedford and then it will be back to brewing again. If anyone has any gear they aren't using that they wouldn't mind selling / donating let me know. I'm starting from scratch for the 3rd time so anything and everything is appreciated. I'll be looking for living room / kitchen furniture too, if anyone is looking to sell stuff.

*If you have anything I've got a separate thread in the Classifieds section

Brewing again soon,
Andrew

[mr x]

Welcome back!