Canning Run Wednesday

Wednesday, I went to help can beer again.

I only helped for a couple of hours last time. This time, I wanted to go the distance. I wanted to see how long a full run took at least once.

I picked a FULL day. Instead of a normal canning run of ~160 cases. Today, they were canning ~340 cases. 

It took hours. The tank had 54 barrels in it when we started. We had to take it down to 18 barrels at a rate of about 9 barrels an hour. The last 18 barrels would be put into kegs (That was a one person job).

When the canning run was done, the guys rolled out several cases from last week's canning running run where the label maker had gone sour. It wasn't the usual canning crew, and after 3 hours of attempting to fix the machine Mark said, "We'll do it next week." This was that week.

I was asked to hand label some cans with labels that weren't on the roll. I got to do one less by drinking it.

I enjoyed the experience. I'd do it again for free just to hang out. I could see where it was work, though. Canning is kind of like jogging. It ain't bad when you start, but you have to keep going...and going....and going. There's no stopping until the end. The machine keeps rolling. 

By volunteering, I only help when I'm in the mood. They have to keep it up regardless and that's why it's part of the job.

To help motivation, Mark and the brewery guys show up early and play games while the canning crew sets up all their equipment. I think it's brilliant. It pumps up morale and gives them something to discuss and strategize about while they work. I would've joined in if they didn't start at 7:30 AM (There were horse chores!).

The goal is to make one more case than you can sell. However, buying habits fluctuate. Sometimes something is hot, you ramp up production and it meets demand and sometimes demand falls and there's an excess. After a few months, the excess has to be destroyed. "It's not like it becomes poison," Mark said. But the taste does change over long periods of time and you can only distribute and sell the best of the best. 

And Carrie wanted some.

Carrie's had the idea that she could open up a bread business and donate money to Sarah's horse rescue. She asked me to pick up some excess beer going out of stock. 

"How much do you want?" I asked.

"How much can you get?" she replied.

I asked Mark. He laughed and pointed at a pallet. 

I hung around a little after the canning run to watch the guys try to finish their Gloomhaven game. I was curious about the game, but I also felt a little awkward carrying a bunch of beer out of the brewery. I'd hoped someone would transfer the cases with me. I didn't want to take too much, screw up somehow, or do something to offend anyone after Mark's generosity. 

But they were in their game and Stefan said there was a handtruck. I started carrying cases out by hand and enlisted Scott to carry a couple. Each case weighed close to 25 lbs and after a few trips, I decided I'd try the hand truck.

It didn't go well.

The handle came out as I went down the stairs. Someone came over to help and more fell. I thought about giving them beer to thank them, but I wasn't sure if that was somehow against the rules.

I did get everything in the back of the car. I went back in and mentioned, "You know that hand truck.."

I think it was Stefan that realized it first. "Oh, there's no pin."

"Yep. The handle came right off on me and I spilled a ton."

They asked, "Any cans break? No. Then you're good! Just don't open anything soon."

I took 16 cases home and a couple quads. 

That's 394 cans. I drink an average of 2 cans a week. Maybe that's go up to 4 now that I have so many. That still leaves me with more beer than I can drink in a year. I've gone months without when I don't have any on hand.....so the hope is that Carrie makes a lot of bread. 

Then the hope is she sells or gives away a lot of that bread. I really don't need that many calories.

At least, I burned a few calories unloading. It was a minor work out to store everything in the work out room.

Mark said I could gift them out or whatever, so I plan on surprising family with some. I've been trying to figure out when to meet up with Patrick to give him back his slow-cooker from the beach, and Kim and Ryan are going to stop by this weekend.