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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer
@johnzee7.bsky.social
490 followers 200 following 380 posts
British and German dual citizen living in Berlin. Brewing scientist and PhD candidate at VLB Berlin. Former brewer and maltster. Posts about beer, cycling and Germany.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 1d
Hacker Pschorr Münchner Hell amongst several Oktoberfestbiere and a Festbier
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 4d
Some photos from my recent trip to Sheffield and Bakewell 📷

I've lived abroad for nearly 10 years now but there is something very comforting about returning to this region in the UK.
A foamy pint of Abbeydale Brewery Moonshine Pale Ale and a unopened pack of Scampi Fries at the Kelham Island Tavern in Sheffield. The pub interior at the Fat Cat Pub in Sheffield. There is red upholstered seating and historical brewery mirrors hung on the wall. The Burton Union historical brewing system at Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell, kindly shown to me by Production Manager Dominic Driscoll. A view of Bakewell town and the River Wye from the Bakewell Bridge.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 7d
I like the Röstkurve for coffee. Sadly, I can't really think of any decent bars. Brauhaus Bönnsch is okay if you like Schnitzel and curvy glassware.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 9d
Thanks Fin! It was fun to try something new.
johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 9d
Thanks Nigel! I still really enjoyed the experience and so much to learn.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 9d
Sure, it's an adaptation of the Hoffmann recipe. I would be happy to send it over.
johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 11d
Thanks Darin, I got kicked out in the first round but it was still a fun experience.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 11d
Top effort! 👏
Orange lad dressed as a cheeky scholar
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 12d
Thanks Nigel! Hope you have a nice weekend.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 12d
Tomorrow I'm competing in the German Aeropress Championship 2025.

I've been making some final adjustments to my competition recipe this afternoon and the coffee is tasting good, so let's see what the jury thinks tomorrow.
The official poster for the German Aeropress Championship 2025 with a funky graphic displaying a gold Aeropress and a stylised Fernsehturm My Aeropress setup, including a hand grinder, scales and coffee beans on the kitchen counter The official coffee beans for the German Aeropress Championship, roasted at Five Elephant
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Reposted by Ben Palmer
fredcook.co.uk
Fred Cook @fredcook.co.uk · 14d
I've written a little script converting the great work done by the national Bass directory (nationalbassdirectory.wordpress.com) onto google maps:

www.google.com/maps/d/edit?...
🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺
#Bass #GreatStuffThisBass
Bass - Google My Maps
Taken from the national bass directory https://nationalbassdirectory.wordpress.com/
www.google.com
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 18d
Thankfully, the route was planned to avoid any closures.

But we did encounter this demonstration on our way to the Zollpackhof, which meant that we had to walk from the Naturkundemuseum. And listen to their shit as we passed through the Washingtonplatz.

www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/abbru...
„Abbruch auch nach Vergewaltigung nicht in Ordnung“: Rund 2200 Abtreibungsgegner gehen beim „Marsch für das Leben“ in Berlin auf die Straße
In Berlin und Köln findet am Samstag der „Marsch für das Leben“ statt. Tausende Abtreibungsgegner sind für die Kundgebungen angemeldet. Auch Gegendemonstranten waren unterwegs.
www.tagesspiegel.de
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 18d
Most weekends I join a local group ride in Berlin. Yesterday we cycled along the former Berlin Wall, now East Side Gallery. I'm at the front of the group wearing a white helmet.

Cycling has been such a great way to explore Berlin and revisit some classic locations.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 19d
Happy Oktoberfest from Berlin 🥨🎡🍻
A Maß of Augustiner Oktoberfestbier from wooden barrel and a 0,5 L glass of Oktoberfest Radler in the Zollpackhof Biergarten
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 19d
I have a fond memory of watching Liège-Bastogne-Liège on TV and drinking beer with @fredcook.co.uk in this pub back in 2017. Lovely place.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · 27d
There is a pub in Berlin where you can order a Czech Dark Lager and hermelin and still get change from 10€.

Thank you @europeanbarguide.bsky.social for the recommendation!
A 0,5 L glass of Svijany Dark Lager and a portion of Nakládaný hermelin in the Prager Frühling 1968 bar
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · Sep 6
Homebrewing today with @akrennmair.bsky.social.

It has become an annual tradition that we brew a Czech Dark Lager with a double decoction mash, Saaz hops and lager yeast.
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Reposted by Ben Palmer
akrennmair.bsky.social
Andreas Krennmair @akrennmair.bsky.social · Sep 6
Czech Dark Lager 2025 with @johnzee7.bsky.social. This is how we added the roasted malt to the lauter tun this time.

#homebrewing
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · Sep 4
We also have a small hop garden at the VLB Berlin, which is also in Wedding!
A small hop garden at the VLB Berlin. The cones are attached to the trellises.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · Sep 4
Based upon a quick rub and sniff in the car park, the aroma was quite herbal and spicy, which would broadly fit with Saaz, as mentioned by @akrennmair.bsky.social.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · Sep 4
Good question, I'm more familiar with hop analysis and unfortunately less familiar with the practicalities of hop growing.

I would be very curious if you find any answers elsewhere!
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · Sep 4
German hop harvest update:

Peak maturity has been reached in Berlin-Wedding, one of the lesser known growing regions.

These beauties were spotted in the car park of my local Getränke Hoffmann drinks store.
Some wild hops that are growing on a graffitied fence in a Getränke Hoffmann car park. A whole cone hop being held in my hand.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · Sep 4
I would imagine that this problem can probably be traced back to Schneeeule having limited influence over raw material selection and wort production.
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johnzee7.bsky.social
Ben Palmer @johnzee7.bsky.social · Sep 4
My main issue is with the complete lack of foam on most of their beers that I've tried so far, even those served in the brewery-owned bar.

This was always quite disappointing.
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Reposted by Ben Palmer
erwinh.bsky.social
Erwin @erwinh.bsky.social · Aug 30
Brewery Schneeeule in Berlin is calling it quits.

I'm very sad to see Ulrike go - beer needs big personalities like her.

Maybe I need another Berlin trip before they are gone..
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