Rob first discovered his penchant for brewing while he was a student at Northland Environmental College in Ashland, Wisconsin, considered one of the country’s “beer states.” A true child of the ‘60s, Rob found a way to really enjoy studying fermentation in his organic chemistry class. Steven’s Point Brewery, one of the America’s original microbreweries, became an extended classroom for Rob when he visited as an assignment for his chemistry class. His “experiments” never stopped after that. Following his graduation, Rob continued making beer and started serious home brewing in the ‘70s. He lived in Wisconsin for another nine years, trained as a licensed home inspector and kept learning how to brew better beer. At about that time, Rob met and became friends with another home inspector, Jack Wick, who co-founded Twin Lakes with friends Sam Hobbs and Matt Day.

Rob is a five year veteran of Twin Lakes. He started as assistant brewer in 2006 and became head brewer in 2008. His goal is to make Twin Lakes an environmentally conscious brewery. With its latest additions of solar panels for energy and other new construction, Rob is making progress toward his goal to, “… make the place more and more green.”

When he’s not up to his elbows in the Twin Lakes brewing process, Rob is an accomplished guitar player and musician. And he’s still an avid home brewer who believes, “Making good beer is a combination of chemistry, physics and art that’s best combined with friends.

Carol met Sam Hobbs while working at a local café and became his barista of choice for his mocha lattes. They struck up an immediate friendship over the milk steamer and Sam soon discovered Carol’s stellar background in legal administration and organizational development. He invited her to come work for him and become the voice of Twin Lakes Brewery. Carol ultimately became the brewery’s administrator and Sam’s personal assistant . Since then, she has become the undisputed “ring master” for customers visits, event coordination and all things office related, keeping the brewery tightly on schedule and running smoothly.

Carol leads the legion of loyal volunteers (see “Our Volunteers”) and keeps them actively involved with brewery events, tours and other happenings. In addition to her sense of humor, Carol’s ability to juggle anything that comes through the brewery door ensures that the show always goes on at the “3-ring circus” of Twin Lakes Brewery.

Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

June 18~23, 2012
Rodney Square in Downtown Wilmington, Delaware
Clifford Brown was a trumpet player whose life tragically ended as a result of a car accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early one summer morning in 1956. Once on the brink of stardom in the music world, ready to become one of the premier jazz trumpeters of his time (like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie), his fans and admirers have made certain that Clifford’s legacy of lives on. Celebrate his life with music by other world class musicians in Rodney Square near the special landmark commemorating Clifford’s birth.

Oktoberfest at the Delaware Saengerbund

September 21, 22 & 23, 2012
Newark, Delaware

Celebrating more than 200 years of Oktoberfest! Features: Bavarian bands; folk dancing; German foods and beverages; amusement rides and games.

Twin Lakes Brewery is proud of its involvement with our surrounding community. We are a popular locale for charitable fund-raising groups as many organizations find that attendance goes up with included brewery tours and tastings! We’ve hosted charities and groups as diverse as Miles for Melanoma, Light up the Queen, Faithful Friends, Delaware Nature Society and many others. Contact us today for your next event!

Music

Twin Lakes Farm was blessed with a natural amphitheater overlooking our lakes. We’re currently developing this area into a very special concert setting to host musical groups and events. We’re booking now for the 2011 summer season … Stay tuned!

Events

Twin Lakes Farm is a beautiful setting for many events throughout the year. Our Harvest Festival in the fall is a fun-filled afternoon of live music, activities, food, tours and tastings. We support the local arts community with occasional showings of artists such as Frolic Weymouth, Mark Dance, Scott LoBaido and others. At other times we have live music in the tasting room or holiday themed tour/tasting days.

Schedule of Events

Winterthur Point-to-Point - May 6, 2012

It was a glorious day of steeplechase racing celebrating Mother’s Day at this year’s Point-to-Point, set amidst the splendor of Henry Francis du Pont’s Winterthur estate. Next year, pack a picnic lunch or tailgate spread, treat mom to a special day and get ready to enjoy one of the Brandywine Valley’s most stylish sporting events!

Philly Beer Week and Opening Ceremonies

June 1~10, 2012
Participating venues are listed on the Web site.

Join Twin Lakes at Philly Beer Week, a 10-day celebration of beer in arguably THE best beer-drinking city in America! Established in 2008, it’s the largest beer celebration of its kind in America, featuring hundreds of festivals, dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings and meet-the-brewer nights to area bars, restaurants and other locations throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens is sure to delight anyone who loves exquisite flowers, majestic trees, and opulent architecture. Here, amid 1,050 acres with 20 indoor and 20 outdoor gardens, you’ll find beauty at every turn. Stroll the grounds and explore our conservatories, fountains, outdoor gardens, historic house. There is something for everyone on this treasured, former du Pont estate.

Mendenhall Inn

The Mendenhall Inn was named for the village of Mendenhall, and its leading citizen, Elwood Mendenhall, who owned the land across from the present Inn in 1881. Sumptuous country French and New American cuisine selections, white glove service, superb tableside “flambé” desserts and coffees make dining at the Mendenhall Inn a special and unique experience. Overnight packages at the Inn include admission tickets to museums and gardens located throughout the Brandywine Valley.

Nemours Mansion

Nemours, the former 300 acre estate of Alfred I. du Pont, was named after the du Pont ancestral home in north central France and built for his second wife. Guided tours are the only way guests are able to see the house and grounds – see what it was like to live on a grand scale in the Brandywine Valley at the beginning of the 20th century.

Old New Castle/Jessop’s Tavern

The small, picturesque village of New Castle, originally named Fort Casimir, was founded in 1651 by Peter Stuyvesant and was, at first, a Dutch settlement. The three counties which make up the state of Delaware were added to William Penn’s lands in America, for which he came ashore at New Castle in 1682 to take possession. The three Delaware counties were already well established and quickly became dissatisfied with Penn’s rule. In 1704, he granted them a separate legislature and Delaware was on its way to becoming a separate colony, with New Castle as its first capital.

Jessop’s Tavern is within walking distance of Battery Park and the mighty Delaware River. It’s a great restaurant and pub with a special Old World New Castle charm that every visitor should experience.

The Queen Theater/World Café Live

With more shows to choose from as of April 2011, plus great food served up from our state-of-the-art kitchen, World Cafe Live at the Queen has music that cooks and food that rocks! Keep in the know through our Live Access and share all the happenings on our new stage in the life of Wilmington!

Rockwood Mansion

Rockwood Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an English Country Estate in America built for Joseph Shipley, a merchant banker originally from Wilmington. The mansion was Shipley’s retirement home. The parlor rooms are lavishly furnished with period pieces and fine examples of English, Continental and American decorative arts from the 17th and 19th centuries. The gardens are comprised of six acres of exotic foliage and a conservatory filled with examples of Victorian flora.

Young Friends of the Brandywine

Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy is a membership group and volunteer committee of young adults dedicated to furthering the goals of the Brandywine Conservancy and its two operating programs, The Environmental Management Center and Brandywine River Museum.

Winterthur

Nestled in the heart of Delaware’s beautiful Brandywine Valley, this extraordinary museum, garden, and library offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, and programs for all ages.

Delight in the museum’s magnificent collection of American decorative arts as you tour the house and exhibition galleries. Enjoy the glorious 60-acre garden and surrounding woodlands and meadows, and play in Enchanted Woods, the award-winning children’s garden. Dine in Winterthur's cafés and shop the many options in the Museum Stores.

The Brandywine Valley

The Brandywine Valley is home to much of America’s history, world-class museums, lavish “American castles”, formal and natural gardens and several unique events. Listed below are some of the Brandywine’s top attractions.

The Brandywine Battlefield

The actual Battle of the Brandywine took place over a 10 square mile area. The British approached Chadds Ford from Kennett Square, splitting their forces and trapping the American’s between them. The battle’s final conflict took place near the Birmingham Friends Meeting house.

The Brandywine River Museum

Often called the “Wyeth Museum” for its extensive collection of works by the internationally acclaimed Wyeth family – grandfather N.C., father Andrew and son Jamie – the Brandywine River Museum is housed in a converted 19th-century grist mill on the banks of the Brandywine in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

Delaware Low Digit Tags

For years, Delaware has been one of the few states in the U.S. where license plates are sold for outrageous numbers and are also seen as an investment. Look for a tag or find out how to sell yours!

Delaware Natural History Museum

The Delaware Natural History Museum’s permanent exhibits include dioramas illustrating mammals and birds in their natural habitats, as well as the museum’s internationally famous collection of seashells.

Delaware Art Museum

Noted for its unrivaled collections of English Pre-Raphaelite art and the works of Wilmington native Howard Pyle, the museum also features extensive collections of American art. The completely renovated museum currently displays approximately 6% of the 12,000 works currently in the museum’s collections in 17 different galleries.

Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau

Wilmington, Delaware is your gateway to the beautiful Brandywine Valley. Discover New Castle County, Delaware ~ Check out our special offers, offering discounts on attractions, hotels, restaurants and more!

Hagley Museum

Hagley Museum and Library, the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont de Nemours in 1802, is where the du Pont story begins. Walk back in time, through the original 235-acres of gunpowder mills, estate and gardens on the banks of the rolling Brandywine and experience the flavor of 19th-century industrial and domestic life.

The Inn at Montchanin

The village of Montchanin was once part of the Winterthur estate. Named for Alexandrine de Montchanin, grandmother of the founder of the DuPont Gunpowder Company, Montchanin Village is comprised of 11 carefully restored buildings dating from 1799 to 1910. The Inn offers 28 richly furnished guest rooms, many with private, professionally landscaped courtyards and gas fireplaces. Each room and suite is unique, with its own individual character and features in keeping with the village’s picturesque setting.

Krazy Kats

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Krazy Kat’s Restaurant is housed in a renovated blacksmith’s shop, complete with one of the original forges. It is known as much for its creative cuisine as its whimsical décor, which features tiger-print chairs and portraits of military-garbed cats and dogs. Business casual attire is most appropriate and dinner reservations are appreciated.

Our brewing process begins with bags of premium malted grains poured into a grain hopper. It is carried by an auger forty feet up to the grist mill. The mill crushes the grain, which is then collected in a large hopper at the top of the tower. At the same time, down in the brewery, everything is cleaned and sanitized while water is heated in preparation for receiving the crushed grain. Approximately 700 gallons of Twin Lakes’ deep rock well water are pumped into the mash tun and brought up to the proper brewing temperature. A valve is then opened in the tower and the grain is gravity-fed into the mash tun where it is mixed thoroughly with our well water.

The mashing process takes an hour, during which the naturally present enzymes are activated by the water and begin converting the complex starches into simple sugars. This is important because only simple sugars are fermentable.

The mixture is then drained to the lauter tun, a traditional container with a false bottom. This is where all the grain husks are separated from the sweet wort, the liquid extracted from the mashing process that contains the sugars that will be fermented. Once the grain is cracked, no pump touches the grain.

The false bottom in a lauter tun has thin slits to hold back the solids and allow liquid to pass through. The spent grains form a layer at the bottom of the lauter tun. The wort is then circulated through the grain bed, out the false bottom and then back to the top multiple times until the liquid starts to run clear. The wort is then pumped into the boiling kettle.

Next, we sparge (or spray) the grain bed with clean hot water to extract residual sugars. This liquid is also sent to the kettle. The spent grain will later be removed. Though it is heavy, hard work to remove the grain, a local dairy farmer feeds it to his cattle so there is no waste. The wort is brought to a full rolling boil in the kettle. During this time, whole flower hops are poured in several times to produce bitterness, flavor and aroma. The boil continues for 90 minutes. The wort and hop mixture is drained into the hopback, which strains out all the hop flowers, and the liquid is passed through the heat exchanger. This rapidly cools the wort from 212° to 70°F. Oxygen is added to replace what was lost during boiling.