Heiress to the Brewer's Throne...Ms. Christine Celis

Ms. Christine Celis of Gypsy Collaborations

I had the accidental fortune of running into Christine Celis at Sunrise Minimart which is just up the street from our Bed n' Brew and I simply gushed...no, really.  I read the Bitch Beer book "Capital City on Tap" and got the background scoop on her father Pierre Celis, who brought his belgian style witbier to the U.S.  I had that beer when I first moved to Austin in the mid 90's and it was a refreshing break from the limited palette of Shiner, Zeigenbock, Lone Star and the ilk.  It brought back fond memories of hanging out at Scholtz Biergarten in the dog days of August, just before school began.

Christine came to Texas when she was 29 and has been here ever since, returning to Belgium twice a year to visit her mother.  The Celis Brewery had a successful run, opening in '92 when Pierre introduced his award winning coriander and orange peel wit bier to the U.S.  The little brewery had trouble keeping up with demand and was eventually bought out by Miller Brewing Co. where it took a nose dive into mediocrity.   At that point it was sold to Michigan Brewing Co. and dismantled.  Very sad story.  Christine lost her dad in 2011 at the age of 86 and has since been inspired to bring back the refreshing style that put the Celis family on the Beer map.

A few years ago she ran into Kim Clark, the young UT grad that her father had hired and sent back to Belgium to study Belgian brewing, at the airport.  They decided that they should make a go of it and try to bring back the name and style in honor of Pierre.  In the meantime, Christine and Kim are doing collaborative works with various breweries here in Texas, before they take the Gypsy label out of state!  All the while Christine has been buying back her dad's original brewing equipment and scouting new locations for Christine Celis Brewery to be opening...soon!

So, I met her on Tuesday...and we had a fantastic conversation there in the Minimart and she graciously invited me to Uncle Billy's for the unveiling of her newest creation, a dubbel coffee porter...a la belgian-style on Thursday night...how could I not go?  Porter, is not my favorite style.  I don't like sweet beer, or sweet coffee, or sweet chocolate.  But the thing that gets to me most is the maple syrup feel.  I have to say that this beer has none of that.  She explained at length about how they made the small batch and put coffee in a pair of panty hose and stirred it around but kept removing it and tasting, along the way, keeping time all the while, until they got the balance they wanted.  Not too overpowering with the bitter coffee, yet keeping a rich flavor with the 5 different malted grains.

The arrangement of grains and hops used for the porter.

On Sunday afternoon a group that I've just recently joined called "Beer Necessities," a ladies beer aficionado club here in Austin and in Chicago, was meeting at Uncle Billy's to have a forum with Christine and Kim Clark to talk about beer, their plans, and their new creation.

We had a chance to listen to their stories, taste the grains and have a few glasses of Gypsy Porter.  I liked it even better a few days later.  It really stands out to me--a lover of Belgian style beers, IPAs, sours and other clean-crisp, yet flavorful concoctions--as different and improved.  

Kim Clark, Master Brewer

Kim Clark was hand picked by Pierre Celis and he sent her back to his hometown to learn Belgian style brewing years ago.  Clark, a graduate of UT with a degree in Microbiology said that she just feels so lucky that he saw in her "potential" so the idea that beer brewing is a man's business, wasn't something she'd ever experienced.  Christine says that her dad always surrounded himself with smart women because he was aware of the fact that women have more taste buds than men.  She and Christine decided that they wanted to reignite the Celis passion for Belgian beers and they are working towards the goal of their own brewery, invoking the memory of Pierre and his wonderful recipes.  

Christine and I at Uncle Billy's
I am excited about the plans for a woman owned and operated brewery here in Austin!  May Ninkasi (Goddess of beer and alcohol) bless this endeavor!
Cheers, and Happy Home brewing!~Cheryl

Homebrewers Chris and Whitney, A Dynamic Duo!

  This past week was Austin Beer Week and Saturday was a particularly interesting day with lots of Homebrew educational opportunities.  Adam Lipscomb of Austin Homebrew Supply did 2 demos in the parking lot, there was a south Austin demo at a private home, the Dewberry's along with other Homebrew Celebrities were featured at a Homebrew Forum at Craft Pride and I attended the north Austin Homebrew demo at the home of Chris Rauschuber and his lovely wife Whitney Roberts, off Duval Road.  Another Austin Zealots member Brian Reynolds, showed up with a smaller, mobile unit and brewed in the driveway.

  I arrived early, which was good because by the time things got going there were so many interesting people to talk to that the atmosphere became one of sheer delight and well...a fantastic beer garden party!
Before that happened though, I got to talk with the couple a little about where they were going with their brewing, and they are most definitely brewing up a plan!

  Whitney, who's from Dallas and attended SMU was sitting at the picnic table out front studying for her upcoming Cicerone test.   She currently works as the operations manager of the Austin Brew Bus Tour Company.  Chris, whose day job is with Homeaway, was laying everything out for guests and preparing to brew.   Together they are the perfect host/hostess combination of graciousness plus brew & brew-business know-how.

  Chris started brewing over 9 years ago, after one year of doing mini-mash he turned to all grain brewing.  He prefers malty German style beer but has vowed to keep something on tap for Whitney at all times-what a guy!  Here is his very impressive set up:

This is when, as a novice home brewer, you realize you are completely out of your element.  The name of this rig is a 20 gallon "Boiler Maker" and he ordered it from Austin Homebrew Supply.  It's supplied with natural gas and an octopus of tubes connect the various vats for easy transfer, cooling etc.  I imagine that had I not gotten totally distracted  by some pretty fascinating folks, I could have learned a hell of a lot, but I am a newbie and I'm not in a hurry.  What I love about the homebrewing community, though I don't know if this is everywhere, but certainly in Austin, is that they are the kindest group of helpful folks I've ever come across in any hobby I've tackled.  And anyone who knows me knows that I only stick with things 2-5 years, or as long as it takes to get to a proficient level.  Yes, I've made art always, and will always have an organic garden and will always knit/crochet in winter, but the beer making hobby, seems to be more of a lifestyle. The friendships I'm observing developed through the love of brewing appear to run very deep.

Have a second look at the tap wall above.  All along the top are medals and other awards; the ribbons just fly away so they're kept indoors.  There are 6 taps on a  chalkboard 1.) Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 14%! 2.) Oktoberfest 6.4% 3.) Munich Helles 4.9% 4.) Nelson Pale Ale and 5.) Nelson + Citra 4.7% and  6.) a Smoked Altbier 6.0%, that he brewed for Whitney's Birthday.  The two of them will be pouring their Helles and the Smoked Altbier at the

 Austin Home Brew Festival  on November 15th at the Getaway Motor Club.  It'll be my first time to attend such an event!   Today he's brewing a Dunkelweizen, and the smell is like fresh bread!  I digress...it's easy to get distracted in this room though...whiskey barrel on the floor, various kegs, their feisty rescue dog Jack and just out of sight to the left is his computer--he's an immaculate record keeper.  (Note to self:  what the heck, I'm so fly by night, this is going to be a challenge!)

What I didn't have the thought to ask, but what Whitney clearly saw that I needed to understand is...what's behind the wall?

The cold room!  Tons of beer on shelves, in kegs, in boxes, the mothership of the operation...essentially.
Below you'll see the connections behind the taps with all of the various gauges and readings...this is Chris's world, and it's great!  He designed it and hired a contractor to help him build it...the ultimate party-bar...but more seriously, a calculated logging of past beers and I'm assuming some real gems.

This is Chris's second brewing location...he used to brew out back on his porch, which leaked...so he called it "Leaky Porch Brewery," which I like...not much of a chance having that name stolen.  

The couple are clearly one in their passion for exceptional beer and have plans to open a brewpub here in Austin very soon!  With Chris as brewmaster and Whitney, Cicerone and manager extraordinaire, this promises to be a raving success!  I can't wait to scoot up to the bar and have a taste!  Thank you for opening your home and hearts to share your craft and artistry!  Cheers!

Happy Home Brewing!

~Cheryl