Ed Struble is a self-proclaimed “beer snob.” The door of Apartment 18 in Daniel Square is just as quaint and ivy green as any other in the complex. Tiptoe through an armada of beer bottles, maneuvering around a drum set to the pink-and-white striped guest bathroom to arrive at the 25-gallon jug of Apfel Wein fermenting on the floor.
In early 2005, Ed Struble, Dave Wilhoit and Seth Vining bonded together with a common goal: to drink beer. But unlike the rest of the case-carting population, they wanted to make their own. Ed and the gang figured making beer would prove to be cheaper than buying two cases of Bud Light every Thursday night. Genius.
But what started out as a cheap alternative to harassing legal friends to go on late-night beer runs, quickly became a passion. The boys found themselves deeply involved in their bathroom brewery, critiquing and perfecting their brewskies’ quality. And when they were satisfied with a batch they could call their own, they had to come up with a name.
Ale Fire & Brimstone was born out of pure luck. Dave got the credit from the brewery bunch, and Ed then created a personal label for the newly branded brand. One Graphic Communications lab, two rough drafts and countless recycled Buds, Coors and Michelob bottles later, Ale Fire & Brimstone had a name, face and shelf in the fridge.
Turning your own bathroom into a microbrewery isn’t as hard as it sounds. With some grain, hops, yeast and a jar big enough to quench your thirst, you too can brew your own. The beer connoisseurs of Daniel Square get all of their supplies from Thomas Creek Brewery in Greenville.
With all of those hops brewing and yeasts fermenting, you might think you’d have to purchase the entire isle of Glade Plug-Ins. Not true. Sealed air-tight in a jar, the what-might-have-been tantalizing Apfel Wein aroma of five gallons of apple juice, wine yeast and two pounds of sugar was non-existent. Or it could have been masqueraded by the small mountain range of sweaty laundry and dirty dishes.
If you aren’t quite up to hailing your own hops yet but want a bottle of Ale, Ed’s in the market. He said he’s interested in starting his own microbrewery, just maybe not in a six-foot by eight-foot bathroom that could easily be mistaken for a 12- year-old girl’s.
He’s still working to make Ale Fire & Brimstone his favorite, but for now Ed’s top pick is Harpoon Indian Pale Ale, a far cry from the $9.99 case specials he used to down. Ed now enjoys experimenting with different grains and tasting different styles (and long walks on the beach).
Of his home brewing experience Struble said: “I appreciate beer more than just buying Coors Light and getting drunk.”
If you’re into quality beer and an experience, leave Frank the Tank at the frat house and brew your own.
