It isn't very often that I get invitations like this from breweries. In fact, it's never that I get invitations like this.
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Jeremy "Jem" Welfeld relaxes (for the moment) at the Jem's Beer Factory cum restaurant in Petach Tikva. (Photo: Mike Horton) |
A few days later, photographer Mike Horton and I rode to Petach Tikva so we could be at the start of the brewing. We were greeted by Jeremy, who gave us a quick tour of the brewery before passing us over to Brewmaster Leiby Chapler.
As I joined in, we prepared a mash tun of pale malt, wheat malt, Caramunich T3 and Carafe T1. Jeremy told me that the tradition at Jem's is to give the mash a blessing with each stir: "For health!" "For a good year!" "For the State of Israel!" Et cetera. I was happy to do so. After the wort (pre-fermented liquid) was transferred to the kettle, we added Cascade, Citra and Equinox hops for a batch of 900 liters.
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The old blogger stirring the mash tun for Black Beauty under the watchful eye of Jem's Brewmaster Leiby Chapler. (Photo: Mike Horton) |
Jeremy told me that he brewed a version of the Black Beauty several years ago, but that this was a different recipe. It will not be bottled, but will be kegged for selling on tap. (It may alternatively be called "Winter Special.") He promised that I would get to taste some in Jerusalem when the beer is ready. I have high expectations.
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The hops, the yeast and the wort: Mix them all together and out will come Black Beauty. (Photo: Mike Horton) |
Jeremy also said that Jem's is continuing to expand its brewing and restaurant operations. In addition to the current four restaurant locations in Petach Tikva, Ra'anana, Kfar Saba and Ramat Hachayal, Jem's is looking forward to open up three more this year: Modi'in, Caesarea and Netanya. The brewery facilities are also undergoing expansion, and will reach the capability of brewing 450,000 liters of beer in 2017, up from 350,000 last year.
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Lunchtime at the Jem's Beer Factory and Restaurant in Petach Tikva. (Photo: Mike Horton) |
And if you're ever in a place where someone mentions Jem's Black Beauty or Winter Special, tell 'em that the old blogger had a hand in it.