If any readers saw one of my previous posts about coffee, you’re familiar with the fact that I’m not a huge fan of bitterness. So in my quest to seem like a child, I’ll also mention that I hold the same feelings towards beer. In fact, before the tour I enjoyed a nice tall glass of chocolate milk in the dining hall. That’s not to say, however, that I don’t like any grown-up drinks. I can enjoy a wine, cider, or liquor with the best of them. But give me a beer, be it cheap or gourmet, and I’ll probably wince like a kid who convinced their parent to let them try a sip of beer for the first time. That being said, my dad somehow found this blog the day he found out I was going to be living in Rose house. Seeing previous posts about brewery tours, he did his best to enthuse me that I needed to go if I ever got the opportunity. So, go I did.

Like anyone you hate talking to at a party, I was way more interested in the process of making beer than the result. For anyone who’s previously been to a beer tour, or seen the posts of the several of other scholars who’ve gone, you’ll know that most of the process takes place in large metallic vats. The process is started from imported barley, hops, and yeast, making them effectively liquid bread. Then in the vats, the mixtures are mashed, lautered, fermented, boiled, and finally packed into the bottles we see them in as beer. With so many steps, it takes a long time to brew a batch of beer. And for each type of beer being made, all the machines need to be meticulously cleaned, in order to ensure none of the tastes end up mixing. For that reason, they stuck to one type of beer a day. And each batch produced a guestimated amount of about 80 barrels, or about 3,200 gallons. The products bottled and set on a conveyor belt to be packaged at a rate of 81 bottles a minute. That sounds pretty high, but there are two workers, both with two hands. Assuming both hands are used, they really only need to handle a bottle about every 3 seconds, per hand. Like I said, I’m not that fun at parties.

At the end of the tour, we got the chance to try both a double IPA and a pumpkin beer. This was a special treat for me, because out of all the beers I’ve tried in my life, those were two types of beers that I can say I liked the least. Knowing this, I tried them anyway, and tried to hide my disgust from the tour guide. From purchases made by my family, I know their are people who like those beers, but I know I’m not one of them.

On Saturday’s Ithaca Beer Company Tour, we learned about the steps that go into the beer making process. First, we our tour guide told us about the ingredients that are used. Hops, malt, yeast, and water are the four main ingredients. While portions of the hops, malt, and yeast are shipped in from other places, the water is from Ithaca. Most companies filter or add things to their water, but Ithaca Beer Company does not do this. This way, you have a little bit of Ithaca wherever you go.
After learning about the different ingredients, we saw where the different processes take place. There are extremely large silver containers that each process takes place in. To go between the multiple containers, the beer must go through a series of hoses. In these containers, the bubbles are added to the beer. We learned that the two most important variables in the process were the time and temperature. At the Ithaca Beer Company, they make mostly ales because it takes only one to two weeks for them to brew, instead of three to four weeks like a lager. Soon, they will be expanding their business and hopefully be able to make more lagers because they will now have the time and resources for that.
After shown these processes, we saw the bottling process. Here, we learned that that they can pack 81 bottles per minute. That is 5000 bottles per hour. we saw a special package that was made just for Pennsylvania. They had requested a special Flower Power Beer and got its own packaging. While right now they only make bottles of beer, soon they will be trying to make some cans as well.
After seeing all the steps, it was time for the tasting. I got to enjoy the ginger beer that they make on sight as well. The two beers that the others tasted were a Pumpkin Ale and an IPA. Our tour guide was extremely enthusiastic and well informed, making the tour both enjoyable and educational. I would recommend this tour to people who were curious about the processes that go into making beer at the Ithaca Beer Company.

I’ve always been the kind of person who was infatuated by catching a glimpse of “behind the scenes”. There’s something fascinating about the way things work and all the small components that help create a giant production. Visiting the Ithaca Beer Company has been on my bucket list for Ithaca, so I was excited to hear that I would be able to go with the Rose House.

When we arrived, I didn’t expect the facility to be so small. I knew that this brand of beer was a popular one in the area but never considered that the mass production all happened in such a small space. Although it was a small space, the facility contained everything it needed to produce a quality beer– multiple metal tanks, a packaging area, and an extremely large fridge. It also fascinated me that almost everything in the facility was hand done, from the assembling and gluing of the cardboard boxes to placing each bottle in those boxes. After learning all the steps from the tour guide, it was nice to hear from her that they were going to expand their production center soon.

One cool thing that I learned was that the glass bottles were specifically a dark brown color rather than clear because it blocks out sunlight, which is harmful to the finished product. The sun’s rays decreases the shelf life much faster than the air temperature the beer is in. Therefore, beer doesn’t always need to be refrigerated.

Although I was not of age to sample the beers, I still learned a great amount of beer production from ingredients such as wheat and barley. Additionally, I was able to sample their ginger beer, which I pleasantly enjoyed, and now know which flavors of beer to look out for when I turn 21.

This was my first Saturday Rose House event outside of campus and it felt really nice getting off campus even if just for a couple of hours. We went to the Ithaca Brewery and had a tour and a tasting of their beer. I did not know much about the process of making beer, and so it was fascinating to have a look inside the factory. However, I do think the group was a bit too large and I noticed it was unfortunately hard to hear everything that the guide said due to this. So, I do not know exactly how beer is made even after the tour, but even so it was fun to have a look around and see the huge containers for the beer. This is a picture of me and my friend Kelly in front of the containers, to give you an idea of just how big they were:

And this is a picture of our very happy guide:

We also looked at their storage and of the way that they package the beer. Apparently, if something goes wrong with the way they fill the bottles, so there is either too much or too little beer in the bottles, the workers get to keep the beer for themselves!

This is a picture of where they store the beer:

Interestingly, the beer can be stored in a cold room and then go on a truck that is relatively warm and then be cooled down yet again without any damage to the taste! Apparently, you can do this heating and cooling process up to five times without the beer tasting any different. We also learnt that the idea that beer must be served ice cold is a way for companies to make up for their lack of quality beer. When beer gets to room temperature more of the flavors and undertones come out, and so if the beer is no good it would benefit the producers if the customers thought that they should consume the beer when it was still really cold.

At the end of the tour we got to taste beer as well as a non-alcoholic drink. And while I hate to say this, I think I can conclude that beer really is not my thing. I could feel some nice undertones in it, but the strong taste of beer nevertheless drowned out most of them. I think beer might be an acquired taste really, and I have just never had the energy to get past my initial dislike for it in order to start enjoying it after some time. Also, when I was a kid, I had the misfortune of mixing up mine and my mom’s glasses and so I took a large sip of beer and I think that this experience, at such a young age, might have sadly traumatized me for life and made it impossible for me to truly enjoy beer. But who knows, maybe I will enjoy it one day?

Last Saturday’s rose scholar event was a visit to Ithaca Beer Co which is right outside downtown. It took us around 20 min to get to the company by taxi. I have been to one spirit company back in my home country but I have never paid a visit to a beer company before. I have to say this is an interesting one.

When I actually saw the building of the beer company outside, it seemed more or less just like a factory. But when we walked in, I was surprised to literally see a restaurant inside, as you can see from the the photo below. Besides beer I think they also have sandwiches and burgers. It’s a really nice restaurant and I do like the style of it.

Then we walked in the workshop. There are several big sliver containers and machines to process the beer. We were first introduced with different kinds of ingredients used to produce beer. The green one like beans (I forgot its name) has a strong smell which is like a kind of the beer that we tasted afterwards.

After shown how the beer is processed, we have a chance to taste beer. I really like the first one which is light and not so strong. Although I clearly know too much alcohol is not a good thing, sometimes I think it, however, might help to release pressure.

Finally, as the thanksgiving break is coming to an end and we will soon be back to work, wish everyone a good start after thanksgiving and enjoy the rest of the break!

The tour at Ithaca Beer Company was really interesting. For the longest time I wanted to learn about the brewing process and understand the science behind. I was excited to apply my knowledge in both chemistry and food science to understand all of the steps in the fermentation process. Changing the process, time, or temperature can have great effects on the taste and aroma of the beer. There were also two different kinds of yeast that were used to ferment their beers.

I think the marketing Ithaca Beer Co. does is brilliant. I did not expect for there to be a restaurant in the brewery. Every encounter with customers is extremely welcoming and authentic. The time spent giving people tours to explain their products as well as give people free samples and listen to their feed back is a great experience for the consumers and it provides the company with valuable information.

My family owns a restaurant and many of the beers we sell are actually from Ithaca Beer Co. This was a great experience to gain more knowledge about the brewing process as well as understand the differences in aromas and flavors behind the many beers they offer.

As our taxi approached the Ithaca Beer Co. building, I saw a neat and tidy building with a very large, welcoming sign that indicated that we had arrived at the brewery. As I walked into the building, I was expecting to walk into an area that resembled a factory or plant floor with machines churning, however, I was surprised to be welcomed by a nice sitting area with visitors eating delicious-looking burgers and drinking beer. I believe that the ability of Ithaca Beer Co. make its brewery not just a place to brew beer, but to make it a cozy, welcoming tourist destination, and a place to hang out contributed to its success as a company. By making itself an attractive place to hang out with friends, eat some good food, and tour the workings of the plant, Ithaca Beer Co. is able to earn lots of revenue from not just selling its beer, but also selling its tour, souvenirs, and restaurant services. It is also able to build its brand name and recognition.

Another very interesting business idea that Ithaca Beer Co. implemented was called its “5 barrel beers”. These were new beer flavors that they were testing out. Visitors are able to try their “5 barrel beers”, give them feedback on what they liked and didn’t like, and from the feedback of their customers, Ithaca Beer Co. would then decide what they would like to mass produce and sell on the market. I thought that this was a very interesting way to perform market research while at the same time engaging their customers and showing their customer-oriented focus.

Earlier today a cohort of daring Rose Scholars ventured via Ithaca-Taxi minivan to a place that I probably would not have gone to as a child–the Ithaca Beer Co. The ride over was scenic and took us about 12 and a half minutes. Traffic was not bad and there was a slight overcast. I may or may not have seen a deer (possibly a small child) in the road on the way over, which may have held us up a bit. Nonetheless, we made great time. I knew we had arrived to our destination when we pulled up to an industrial-looking structure that had the words “Ithaca Beer Co.” largely written on it. There was simply no mistaking it. We had in fact arrived to our destination just as planned.

When we opened the doors of the taxi, a sensational aroma of fine beer rushed into my nostrils and, for a split second, I could have sworn I became a bit tipsy. I am uncertain whether this was due to the potent aroma or the fact that the rocky ride over had spurred my motion sickness. It is likely that a combination of the two is to blame.

Once inside, we received exclusive VIP access to the factory floor, where we then enjoyed a tour of the facility for about 32-45 minutes. It was truly amazing to learn about the various steps that go into making a single bottle of beer. Generally, the steps include milling, mashing, lautering, boiling, fermenting, conditioning, packing, and then, finally, distributing. “Wow,” I thought, “that’s a lot of steps!”

Following the tour, we were treated to some free samples of the company’s beer, which included one of my favorites–Country Pumpkin. I like it because of the way that it is. More specifically, I like it because its luscious taste brings me back to the times when I would go on hayrides as a little lad at the local pumpkin patch back home. Unfortunately, it was during one of these hayrides that a fellow classmate jumped from the moving trailer and, to the best of my knowledge, was never seen again. But, anyway, I digress.

After a pleasant time tasting the beers and talking with peers (<– unintended rhyme) about the good ol’ days, the minivans (the same ones that had brought us to the Ithaca Beer Co.) pulled up to take us home. Unfortunately, as we boarded the minivans, a fellow Rose Scholar closed the minivan’s sliding door on her fingers and I heard a piercing crunch. As we carefully slid the door back open, we looked to see if her fingers were still attached which, luckily, they were. The best part was that she did not shed a single tear and lived to tell about it.

That is all.

This afternoon, many Rose residents and I went to the Ithaca Beer Co. to learn about the process of brewing, storing, and packaging beer. It was a great opportunity to leave campus and learn about the creation of beer. We had a friendly tour guide who elaborated on the history of the brewery, showed us around, and allowed us to sample pumpkin-flavored beer and ginger beer at the end of the tour.

I learned that the company is expanding its facilities due to increased demand for its products. The company is constantly experimenting with new flavors, and it offers tastings and adjusts its ingredients based on people’s feedback. Brewing also starts at 4am each day and ends at 1am the next day. When the tour guide showed us the packaged beer, she said that approximately 5000 bottles appear on the production line each hour. I was surprised by this large number because there are only two people at the production line.

She also showed us a cooler with hundreds of kegs. Here is a photo:

All in all, I am so glad that I went to this Rose event! It was an enjoyable excursion, and I would really like to go back again to try the food.

.