Sunday, March 4, 2012

Beer bottling stroke rehab


I brewed some Irish Draught Ale a couple of months ago and today decided to bottle it by myself(48 bottles). This was quite the challenge since I usually invite a friend over to cap the bottles in return for some of the beer. I have a two-handed capper like this. Keeping the cap in place while I pry my hand onto one of the levers involves picking the cap up several times. I can't get my wrist to unlock from spasticity so I could never get my upper body weight over the levers to properly crimp the cap. Luckily I only knocked over one bottle. I ended up putting the bottle in one of the slots in a wooden soda case and used my teeth/mouth on one of the levers to get about 15 bottles capped. Then my wife and daughter came home and I got them to finish the capping for me. I try to do this when they are out because both of them dislike the smell or taste of beer. If I continue this I'll have to get a single arm capper like this. I had a homebrewed coffee stout to celebrate this evening.

wooden soda case above, bench capper below

2 comments:

  1. If I lived closer, I'd come and help. You wouldn't have to share with me either. ;) I'm not able to drink these days...sure miss enjoying a good beer or glass of wine. Sounds like a creative therapy session though.

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  2. I've found that my mouth works very well when I turn a two-handed task into a one-handed one. Nice job!

    My younger brother "helped" me make some sauvingnon blanc 2 years ago. And by "help," I mean he did it and I watched.

    Although several neurologists told me not to drink after the stroke, one said,"There's a reason why each of us have our vices." That's the voice I listen to when I want a glass of wine with dinner.

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