Wood beer cases: Image transfer, bumble+pot&kettle

Some pictures from today

• finished the image transfer on to the wood beer cases for bumble and pot&kettle
• labelled a few more of the pot&kettle bottles
• black wax dipped 'em, too

J and I found that we needed to dip the bottlecap a couple times, so the teeth didn't show through the wax too prominently. The wax seemed to coat much much thinner, requiring three dips vs two, when it was fresh out of the microwave (hot) vs. cooled a bit to room temp.

Wood beer cases: Another Production Update

As I set up the kitchen counter to begin the image transfers on to the Stonington Pale Ale wood beer cases, Esther cracked a 1 1/4 year old breakfast stout tonight. While I don't have the record of the recipe in my notes, I do remember this was one of my first partial mash batches, where I used 1lb of oatmeal, 3 or 4 lbs of 2 row, probably ~2lbs of various roasted specialty grain, 6lbs of dark LME (ducks for cover), and British ale yeast. Aged on ~6oz of cracked coffee beans in the secondary for 1 month. And sitting quietly, covertly, undisturbed underneath several cases of empty bottles. I mistook the bottom case to be also empty, having thought the last bottle breakfast stout was consumed over 6 months ago. What a happy find.

So, yes, Esther cracked that bottle tonight. Y'know...to help complete the quest for five cases worth of empty 12oz longneck brown beer bottles needed to bottle the pale ale this Friday. But, the stout is now in its prime, any harshness that was present in the earlier part of its life, is now completely mellowed out to satisfying and rich, but smooth roasted stout goodness. Beautiful cappucino colored head that falls to a small, but tight creamy cap. Beautiful stuff, even at the end of a hot August day.

Anyway, back to the reason I'm posting tonight...the image transfers. I didn't know how long the blender pen would last, but tonight, I found out...it lasted for what would be the equivalent of 4 cases, or 8 relatively large transfers. So, we'll have to go out and get more to finish the rest of the cases (9 more!? ...sheesh, who's idea was this anyway), but I hope you'll agree, the results are exactly what I was hoping for. Took me ~1.5 hours to do the cases tonight, but that included stopping for dinner, unpacking and repacking the cases w/ bottles, a moment or two for some admiration, and the vastly improved photo snapping (more on that later).

Wood beer cases: Production update

My pop and Uncle Richard have been busy working on the cases on this rainy day.

5- 12oz bottle cases: done

4- 22oz bottle cases: done

750ml champagne cases: all wood cut, first box assembled in process, scheduled to be done next week

Wood beer cases: Production update

My pop and uncle kicked production of the wooden beer cases in to high gear yesterday.

They are slated to make:

5- Standard beer case size: 24-12oz (Stonington Pale Ale)

4- Bomber size: 12-22oz (pot & kettle)

4- Champagne size: 12-750ml (Bumble)

I decided that I was going to have to bite the bullet and bottle the Stonington Pale Ale in 12oz bottles vs. 22's. I just won't be able to get enough 22's to meet the 50+ bottle quota in time for the projected bottling timeline.

They've cranked out the 5 standard size cases, and have cut all the pieces for the bomber cases. Couple changes from the prototype:

1. They tweaked the dimension from the plans we found on the net (the inside of the box was too large)

2. They switched from screws to 'grip' nails (not sure what the correct term is, these nails have teeth that prevent them from sliding out).

3. They are using rough hewn wood vs. planed/sanded wood, for a less machined, more rustic/hand finished look. Plus, its less work for them, so it works out great for all of us.

Here are a couple pics of the stacked standard cases:

...and a couple shots of the first bomber case:

Wood beer cases: Image transfer on to wood

A graphic designer and all around artistic friend of mine clued me in to the technique of transferring images from a laser print/photocopy with a 'blender marker'. Esther kept this in mind and picked up the Chartpak blender pen from Blick at the Landmark Center in the Fens.

The technique was very easy...

1. Print out the image (in reverse, VERY IMPORTANT, you'll see why...)

2. Use some easily removable tape to fix the printout in place

3. Use the blender marker to wet the area you wish to transfer. I noticed if you are heavy handed and use too much (three or four passes vs. one or two), the laser toner tends to run a bit, especially in the porous wood. this might be OK/preferable, if you are looking for a more rustic look.

4. Burnish the area with the back of spoon. You don't need to press too hard, just enough to ensure good contact with the dissolved toner and the wood.

5. Work in small area 'batches' ...the transfer will only work if the paper is wet with the marker's solvent.

Proof of concept achieved! ...I'll just be sure to print the images out flipped 180degrees next time. Oops.

The original idea was the trace the transferred image with a wood burning tool, and I still might do that, but this looks pretty darn good, and the results are achieved pretty quickly, too.

Beer cases

Earlier this week, my pop and Uncle Rich put together the prototype of a wooden beer case. The idea is to have family-made, handcrafted cases to really add another great level/complete the presentation of the wedding beers.

The wood to be used for these cases are made from wide solid white pine planks, milled from trees that were cut down on Rich's property. I do hope we can display these in such a way to proudly show their much-appreciated contribution. This is really what our day is all about for us... a generous and thoughtful addition, that, taken together, makes the day that much more uniquely about us and the people that we love. Things like this mean so much to the both of us. A 'detail' that can't be bought in a store, things that people rarely have the time or energy for in these yeah, we have 927 channels, but still nothin' good on TV days.

The cases are made from 3/4 inch solid white pine, and has a recessed bottom and four corner brackets that will allow the cases to be very securely stacked. Hand sized holes have been cut and smoothly sanded into the sides, and we plan to finish these with a burned-in (soon to be finished) logo and a good rub down with tung oil, to preserve and protect the wood, but also to highlight the natural beauty by adding richness and depth. Over time, a light patina will develop, somewhat like the old Brooklyn Edelbrew breweriana beer case from my Pepere that's occupied my living room for the past 8+ years.

Anyway, I proudly leave you with my pop (on the right) and my uncle, at the Sticks and Stones workshop.