Georgia Organics heard about some of my latest accomplishments and plans for the future. They asked me to tell them more, so I sat back and started reflecting.

• In late 2010, working with Montaluce Winery, I planned, produced and promoted their first batch of mead. A little more than 2,000 bottles were produced.
• This mead debuted at the Georgia Organics Annual Conference in March 2011 and received a resoundingly warm reception.
• By early June the first batch of mead was mostly sold out exclusively through direct sales at the winery.
• Also in early June, for reasons yet to be explained to me, Montaluce decided to end their business relationship with me.
• Mid June the mead won a Double Gold Medal at the 2011 International Eastern Wine Competition. Double Gold is a unanimous gold medal judgement from the panelists.
• In early July, Deborah Geering profiled me and the mead in an online column for Atlanta Magazine.
• In mid July, the dreams of my own meadery greatly intensified with increasing support and motivation from my friends and family.

Now I’m planning to make a major leap forward. The process of planning a small 5+ acre farm meadery has begun. In addition to the mead, I plan to produce a portion of the fruit, herbs, flowers, honey, and other mead ingredients on site.

For more details you can read the Georgia Organics interview and stay tuned for updates.

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While hop varieties exist that are more adapted to our climate, barley just isn’t a strong crop here. In a search for grains that would produce a tasty brew and grow well in our climate I turned to traditional beer production in parts of Africa. I identified finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) as great candidates. Georgia is already a large producer of pearl millet and sorghum (sweet and grain) so it wouldn’t be a huge departure from the norm. Colorado also just started a similar initiative in January, providing malted millet to local brewers to use in beer production.

The program I’m envisioning would involve working with local farmers on pilot growing programs, creating a pilot malting/kilning process, and testing out new brewing recipes. Eventually production would increase, a processing and malting/kilning facility would be created, local brewers would buy malt, and I’d work with them on recipe development and market creation. Ideally I would like this to be organic production inter-planted with other crops and beneficial plants.

In case you were wondering, there is a long list of things that make me uniquely qualified for this program. I’d be happy to share this with you but it just sounds a little boastful in a blog post.

What do you think? Am I crazy or am I really on to something here?

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The mead is produced using local wildflower honey and well water. It is a sparkling, semi-sweet mead that just begs to be quaffed outside on a warm sunny day. It will be available for purchase soon at http://www.montaluce.com/, at the winery, and through Quality Wine & Spirits (distributor).

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In this Kevin Kossowan video, learn more about the different wines and meads Chrapko creates at En Santé Organic Winery and Meadery. There is quite a selection, made from various crops grown on their farm: apples, berries, rhubarb, honey, alfalfa, and more. She also says people’s interest are returning to what is possible with local flavors.

FROM LOCAL FARMS – En Santé Organic Winery & Meadery from Kevin Kossowan on Vimeo.

Brewing TV video

Brewing TV – Episode 21: Making Mead with Curt Stock from Brewing TV on Vimeo.

“I Am A Craft Brewer” is a collaborative video representing the camaraderie, character and integrity of the American Craft Brewing movement. Created by Greg Koch, CEO of the Stone Brewing Co. and Chris & Jared of Redtail Media…and more than 35 amazing craft brewers from all over the country.

I Am A Craft Brewer from I Am A Craft Brewer on Vimeo.

I am a Craft Beer Drinker .. I love Craft Beer .. I am passionate about what I drink.

If these sentiments ring true, then this video was made for you. Inspired by the amazing “I am a Craft Brewer” this video represents craft beer drinkers from all over the US who won’t settle for the lowest common denominator beers.

It pays homage to all the amazing craft brewers who have provided us with choice, and are blazing trails in the beer world.

I am a Craft Beer Drinker from New Brew Thursday on Vimeo.

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We’re pouring a Samhain Pumpkin Ale made with fresh pumpkin, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and sorghum syrup to celebrate summer’s end. An English ale yeast was used to bring out the flavors of the malts, pumpkin and spices while also providing some delicious subtle fruity flavors like apple, clover honey, and pear. This one comes in at 7.3% ABV and you’d never know it.

Find out more about the event.

Also, don’t miss out on my brew class this Saturday, October 9 at the Oakhurst Community Garden.

Register for the Crafting Modern Herbal Brews class.

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What is Field of Greens?

Field of Greens is a family festival taking place at Whippoorwill Hollow Farm, a 74-acre certified organic farm that sells at farmers markets in Atlanta, on October 3. The farm is located in Walnut Grove, 35 miles east of downtown Atlanta.

Festival activities include a chefs’ tent featuring tastings from Atlanta and Athens’ celebrity farm-to-table chefs (from noon to 3pm), live music, and an on-site market that mixes educational exhibits with vendors. An expanded kids’ area features farm-based activities for children of all ages. Proceeds benefit local sustainable farms through Slow Food Atlanta.

Bring the whole family and enjoy locally grown, chef-prepared food, live music, and green living education, all in a family-friendly, fun environment.

Entrance ticket includes:
- All-day access to the organic market and educational expo
- Small-plate tastings of farm-fresh food creatively prepared by Atlanta and Athens’ most dedicated farm-to-table chefs (noon to 3pm only)
- Expanded kid’s learning and activity area
- Live music
- Cooking demos from your favorite chefs

Advance tickets now on sale! Save money and make sure you get in by purchasing your ticket in advance. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the gate. Kids 12 and under enter for free. Thanks for leaving the dogs at home; we love ‘em, but the farm animals feel differently.

Click Here to Buy Tickets

If you haven’t already, please fan Field of Greens on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter @FieldofGreensGA

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