To get some hands on experience in a topic many brothers are interested in, SigEp took a trip to the Weyerbacher Brewery in Easton, PA. Weyerbacher is a microbrewery specializing in Belgian-Style Ales, but also produces a wide array of other brews.

The group of SigEp’s learned a great deal about the brewing, distributing, and tasting process. Upon arrival, we all gathered around the tasting bar to begin the process of trying all of Weyerbacher’s current selections. Through sipping and analyzing 12 different beers, we learned a great deal about the characteristics that make beers unique from the different brewing and aging processes to the ingredients that compose the brew.

After our sampling was finished, we got to partake in a tour of the brewing facility. Our guide walked us through the entire brewing process from ingredient selection to bottling and capping. Some of the more interesting things we learned are that nearly all grains used in beer brewing are imported from around the world because the American grain market is devoted almost entirely to bread production. We also learned the differences among draughts, bottled, and bottle-fermented beers and some of the chemistry behind these processes.

All in all, this tour was a fun, informative trip and personally opened my eyes to many new types of beers that I never would have considered trying before.

- Written by brother Tyler Tobin