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WEST PITTSTON — In recent years, the trend for weekend warriors to “DIY” or do it yourself has become a staple in our culture. In West Pittston, the community was learning a spin on that classic phrase: brew-it-yourself.
The West Pittston Library is hosting a three-week “Beginner Beer Academy,” which kicked off on Saturday. Open to the public, the event is a tutorial instructing aspiring homebrewers how to craft their very own batch of beer.
“We try to plan our year’s activities according to a theme, and this year the theme is beer,” said Anne Bramblett Barr, Director of the West Pittston Library. “Since January we’ve been hosting various beer-related events open to the public, such as talks about the history of beer, having an oncologist from Geisinger discuss the benefits of beer and a fermentation program, to name a few.”
The Beer Academy and the West Pittston Library’s “Year of Beer” activities are part of a greater outreach initiative called “PA Forward,” through the Pennsylvania Library Association.
The initiative strives to redefine the library’s role within Pennsylvania within the context of five “literacies” that Pennsylvanians must attain for success. The beer academy falls into civic and social Literacy, which according to PA Forward is defined as “giving citizens of all ages the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives, contribute effectively in their communities and participating in civil discourse.”
Garrett Barr, a professor of biology and environmental studies at Kings College — and avid homebrewer of over 20 years — was the host of the academy.
“I got into it about 20 years ago when I was a waiter in Portland, Maine,” said Barr. “Since I’ve been into it, the hobby has definitely grown. Now there’s a homebrew shop in nearly every local region, the internet, clubs– it’s growing still.”
Week one featured the act of brewing the beer itself, he explained.
“We’re making two batches today– a porter and a pale ale. They will ferment in buckets for about two weeks, then we will transfer then into 5-gallon glass bottles so the yeast can settle and clarify. After that, two weeks later, we’ll bottle them up.”
In addition to brewing their own beer, students of the Academy will also get a chance to “blind taste test” their beers versus commercial classics and craft beers.
“We’re going to take the labels off of some well-known and well-regarded beers and remove the marketing and perception, leaving just the beer to stand alone. We’ll put it up against what we’ve brewed ourselves and see how it holds up,” added Barr.
Attendees were enthusiastic.
“My wife saw the information and I really enjoy craft beers,” said Tony Acernese of West Pittston. “I’m very excited for the IPA.”
“I used to brew with my dad when I was younger, but I never really learned it then,” said Erik Adamitis, also of West Pittston. “Now I’m here to actually learn the craft.”
The academy was definitely a hit. Limited to 10 participants, “we have quite a waiting list,” added director Anne Bramblett Barr.
The next “Year of Beer” activities hosted by the West Pittston Library will be a fermentation celebration hosted in September and an Octoberfest party in October.
For dates and times, interested individuals can check the West Pittston Library’s website of Facebook page for announcements: http://on.fb.me/1eQISs6.
