Author: Marshall Schott

It’s nuts to think we’re already a quarter of the way through 2017! So much has happened that I thought it’d be good to fill everyone in on how things are going. Be sure to read to the bottom so you don’t miss a fun opportunity to win some free swag. I usually like to start things off on a positive foot, but since there’s really only one shitty thing on this list, I figured I’d get it out of the way first…

Brülosophy Was Hacked 🙁

This comes as no surprise to the many people who link to this website through external sources such as Facebook or Google. I first learned about this issue about 2 weeks ago when people started emailing me to complain that Google searches for Brülosophy content returned results that were in Chinese characters. After assuring everyone we hadn’t moved away from the English language, contributor Matt Del Fiacco and I started hunting for the source and ultimately discovered the site had indeed been hacked.

My heart sank.

Thankfully, our web host worked with us to identify and remove the problem. Within just a few hours, Google searches were showing our real content again. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before I started receiving more emails and comments about the annoying and disconcerting issue mentioned above– people linking to Brülosophy articles from places like Google and Facebook would be redirected to a spam site.

What the hell?!

The good part is the spam site people were being redirected to appears to be benign, meaning as long as nothing on that page is clicked, your computer should be safe. Of the hundreds of people who have reached out to tell me this had happened to them, many while I was with them in person, only 1 reported their computer requiring a reboot; multiple friends, my wife, and I have all reproduced the issue on our devices without any further issue. I say all of this only to assuage any worries readers might have about using our links.

A reader contacted me last week with the following simple tip for making this stupid issue stop on a device-by-device basis, and since it’s worked beautifully for so many people, I figured I’d share it publicly. After tapping the link on your device, as soon as you realize you’re not being taken to the proper Brülosophy page, simply tap the back arrow in your device’s browser then tap the link again. I haven’t experienced the issue on my device since. For those who remain hesitant to follow the links from Google or Facebook, which is completely understandable, access the website directly and you won’t have any problems.

I apologize for this inconvenience and want all of our readers to know we will remain vigilant of any such issues in the future. Now that that’s out of the way…

The Brülosophy Podcast

The response we’ve received to The Brülosophy Podcast has been incredibly encouraging, thank you all so much for listening and giving us so much wonderful feedback! Yet again, one of the most popular comments we’ve received is that people simply want more episodes whether they’re exBEERiment focused or not. Given the already huge show of support, I’m confident we’ll be able to produce more shows and increase our monthly output. Rather than making stuff up all nimbly-bimbly, I thought it’d be cool to see what the people who listen think about some of the ideas we’ve come up with.

Brü & A

Episodes focused solely on us answering questions from readers and listeners about pretty much anything including our thoughts on specific exBEERiment results, if we’ve changed our methods, boxers or briefs. Anything is fair game! We’ll put out a call for questions a couple weeks prior to recording each Brü & A episode to give people ample time to come up with questions they want us to answer.

Cone-2-Cone

The name for this show has a double meaning– in addition to people fermenting in conicals reusing yeast by pitching “cone to cone,” the term “cone” was used by one of the funniest people I’ve ever met to refer basically to anyone who acts like… well… a cone, which is everyone. We’ll find a person who expresses a disagreement with one of us, either publicly or privately, to come on the show to have at it about the topic of disagreement. No kids allowed, as we intend for this to be raw, real, and ridiculously fun to listen to. The only rule: we finish as friends!

Brü’s Views

This show idea comes from a series we ran for about a year on the website where contributors and a special guest shared their honest thoughts and opinions on a specific subject. While the format didn’t work very well as readable online content, we thought it might be a lot more fun to listen to. Topics ranging from new beer styles like hazy New England IPA to the obvious lack of women in brewing, Brü’s Views will address topics ranging from the mundane to super controversial in an unabashedly honest way.

Brü’rs Digest

This will be a short format show where one person, either a contributor or a guest, rants for a few minutes about a topic that’s on their mind, it could be praise and it could be critical. Unplanned, uncensored, and unchained will be the key. Ever wonder what we really think about certain issues in the brewing world? This is the show for you!

Please complete the following poll and select all of the options you think would be fun to listen to (you don’t have to pick just one).

I’ll analyze the results this weekend and use them to inform any decisions we end up making about podcast content. Thanks for helping out!

The BrÜtility Belt: It’ll Change The Way You Conference

The BrÜtility Belt is our latest innovation consisting of a pack attached to a nylon belt that wraps around the wearer’s waist and connects using a heavy-duty clip.

In addition to the multiple pockets that can be used to store appropriately sized swag, your painkiller of choice, mobile phones, and the like, the BrÜtility Belt also features a glass storage solution such that the wearer is able to perform handshakes, high-fives, and hugs without the risk of dropping their beer!

Emblazoned with the classic “Brütron” logo, The BrÜtility Belt is as attractive as it is useful, turning heads from afar and inciting the envy of many.

We currently have a very limited supply of BrÜtility Belts after offering first dibs to our Patreon supporters (bonus of becoming a patron is first whack at all new merch with discounts), and while we work on our eCommerce solution, I’ve decided to hock the remaining inventory to those dedicated enough to get in early on this incredible new product.

HOW MUCH?

The price is $30 per BrÜtility Belt including shipping within the United States. Since I fully expect a strong international demand for this gorgeous piece, I thought it only fair that residents of other countries have access to them as well, though it will require an additional $12 (USD) shipping fee.

HOW DO I GET ONE?!

As mentioned earlier, we are currently working on our eCommerce site, which will make ordering Brülosophy merchandise much easier. But since that’s not ready yet, we’ll have to use the eloquently rinky-dinky option of PayPal. Here’s how it’ll work:

Use the form below to let me know you want a BrÜtility Belt.

If there is still available inventory, I will respond individually with instructions for paying via PayPal and the BrÜtility Belt will be shipped within a week of the payment clearing. If you complete the form and do not receive a response, that means current inventory is depleted and I’ll use your email as a show of interest to determine the size of the next order. The response thus far has been pretty crazy, I suspect we’ll need to place a large order, I’ll be sure to do it with enough time to get them out so people will have them for Homebrew Con 2017 in Minneapolis.

A final note– the BrÜtility Belt was originally designed with conferences in mind as a solution for storing swag that doesn’t require carrying a bulky bag around. However, I’ve heard from a few Patreon supporters who love wearing their belts during brew days to hold thermometers, refractometers, timers, and other small equipment. It won’t only change the way you conference, it’ll change the way you brew!

Brewing In The Land Down Under & Middle-Earth

I recently returned from an unforgettably rad trip that included drinking with friends at various breweries in Sydney, Australia, checking out some incredible breweries in Wellington, New Zealand, then being a special guest with Gordon Strong and Michael Tonsmeier at the 2nd annual New Zealand Homebrewers Conference. It’s been a few days since I got back and I can’t shake how wonderful the experience was, not only because the beer was great, but I made so many awesome new friends!





















With way too many highlights to discuss here, I plan to dedicate an upcoming podcast episode to some of the cool stuff that’s going on in the New Zealand brewing scene. To the organizers and attendees of NZHC, thank you so much for having me, Brülosophy loves you!

Homebrew Con 2017 in Minneapolis, MN

Most of the Brülosophy crew will be attending what has become the single largest gathering of homebrewers on the planet, Homebrew Con, in June and we’d love to hangout with you! Malcolm and I will be participating in a panel session with our friends from the Experimental Brewing podcast, Denny Conn and Drew Beechum, called Hold My Beer and Watch Me Science! Matt will also be giving a talk called Against the Grain: Wood Aging and Barrel Alternatives as well as bringing a super secret xBmt beer that Jake and Greg will be helping us collect data on. In addition to all of the other great talks, rad people, and tasty beer, there’s no way Homebrew Con won’t be an absolutely fantastic time. Registration is now open for American Homebrewers Association member (join here), go do!

Spring Cleaning Giveaway

My garage brewery is starting to get a bit cluttered and could use a good cleaning, so I thought it’d be fun to run a giveaway to help clear my space up a bit. There will be 5 winners in total with prizes assigned based on selection order.

Price Packages

1st Place Prize

1 BrÜtility Bel

1 Brülosophy taster glass w/ Brütron logo

1 My Kind Of Science sticker

1 Brülosophy “Ü” sticker

1 Grainfather trucker hat

1 Grainfather bottle opener keychain

2nd Place Prize

1 Brülosophy taster glass w/ Brütron logo

1 My Kind Of Science sticker

1 Brülosophy “Ü” sticker

1 Grainfather trucker hat

1 Grainfather bottle opener keychain



3rd Place Prize

1 My Kind Of Science sticker

1 Brülosophy “Ü” sticker

1 Grainfather trucker hat

1 Grainfather bottle opener keychain

4th & 5th Place Prizes

1 My Kind Of Science sticker

1 Brülosophy “Ü” sticker

As I continue to clean, I may find a few more things to throw into each package as well, we’ll just have to wait and see if anything comes up. Cheers to the New Zealand Grainfather team for donating the swag for this giveaway, they’re a great group doing some incredibly innovative things in the world of homebrewing that I’m stoked to address in more detail soon.

HOW TO ENTER

FACEBOOK

1. Follow Brülosophy on Facebook then like the giveaway announcement post and tag at least 1 friend in the comments, sharing the post is great too! Heads up– the post won’t be made until around 5:00 AM, an hour or so after this article is published, so all you early birds will have to hang tight.

INSTAGRAM

1. Follow Brülosophy on Instagram then like the giveaway announcement post and mention at least 1 friend in the comments.

TWITTER

Follow Brülosophy on Twitter then like and retweet the giveaway announcement.

REDDIT

Comment in the giveaway announcement post in the Homebrewing Subreddit.

RULES & DETAILS

Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Entrants can only enter once per entry method for a total of 4 entries. Entrants can only win 1 prize; if an entrant’s name is drawn twice, another name will be drawn. Shipping is included for entrants residing in the United States; international winners must arrange shipping details with the sponsors and may be responsible for additional charges.

Giveaway start date is March 30, 2017 and winners will be selected on April 8, 2017 using an online selection tool. After winners are announced, each will be contacted privately with a request to provide shipping information within 24 hours of contact in order to claim the prize. The shipping information will remain private, as all items will be shipped by me over the week following the end of the giveaway.

Thanks again for all of the encouragement and support as we move into the world of podcasting and continue to plug away at learning more about this thing we all love so much, it’s been a hell of a ride so far. Cheers!

Support Brülosophy In Style!

All designs are available in various colors and sizes on Amazon!

Follow Brülosophy on:

If you enjoy this stuff and feel compelled to support Brulosophy.com, please check out the Support Us page for details on how you can very easily do so. Thanks!

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