March 2005 Newsletter

By Bill Lynch

Sorry, there were no pictures taken at the meeting.

President
• An historic occasion; the first meeting we’ve had where nametags are necessary! At last count, 65 members and guests were in attendance!
• 2005 dues are due. You will be dropped from the active roster if you don’t pay by the end of February. No more club-only emails. Still the best 15 bucks you’ll ever spend
• The club has decided to match donations made by members to the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation up to the amount of $500.00 in memory of Laura Barrowman; simply email Felton Dengler at trace.dengler@snapon.com and let him know how much you have donated. You can donate on line at http://www.ibcresearch.org/donations. The address is 321 High School Road NE, #149 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. All individual donations are tax deductible.
• When it was asked who brewed what during February, members indicated that about 35 beers were brewed!!
• It was noted that a lot of educational information was passed on the Brewnet recently; included were removing bottle labels, terminal gravity questions and alcohol ABV/ABW calculations. This is an excellent use of this forum.
• New members were reminded to consider visiting the mentor page on the club website. It lists members that are available to assist with all grain, mash extract, mead making and kegging; a link to each mentor’s email address is included; it’s available by clicking on the MEMBERS button.
• The full club roster will be made available to members as soon as it is updated
• The Gambrinus Cup was judged on Saturday February 19 at CB&B. Our own Gary Cathey won the privilege of having his Oktoberfest brewed by CB&B for serving at the Renaissance Festival this fall
• As you may be aware, an email from Pop the Cap was received advising that House Bill 392 has been introduced that will change the definition of a malt beverage in NC. Let’s keep our fingers crossed
• Hickory Hops beer festival will be held on Saturday April 9. Sara Siedel indicated that volunteers would be welcomed
• Foothills Brewery in Winston Salem is scheduled to open by mid-March according to Tom Nolan, president of the Winston Salem Wort Hogs. We will consider some sort of joint event
• Representatives from Private brauerei Josef Sigl KG brewery made a presentation to introduce the club to a new pilsner that will be sold in the Charlotte market shortly. The beer is Trumer Pils and though billed as a German Pils, the reviews on Beer Advocate lean more towards a Czech Pilsner. It is being brewed in Berkley, Cal using Austrian malt, hops and yeast. They generously poured samples into unique pilsner glasses that members were able to take home. Reviews of this beer can be found at http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/4109/12679/. To all the representatives that attended, thank you very much for sharing
• Mark Johnson of RJ Rockers Brewery in Spartenburg, SC was in attendance as a guest of Tom Lockhart to introduce their new Belgian Pale Ale, Fish Paralyzer (abv 5.8%), which will be available along with other RJ Rockers beers at Mellow Mushrooms throughout the Charlotte area
• On March 26, RJ Rockers is holding a celebration commemorating their 2^nd year as a microbrewery. Details to follow
• Members, think of this. Breweries are now coming to us instead of the other way around.

Recruiting

• Sara Siedel introduced at least 5 new/perspective members
• Again it was emphasized that the Brewnet is our prime method of communication and and instructions on how to sign up can be found on the club website

Education

• Marlond Meadows held a brew session at the home of Kim Garnett in early February where Marlond brewed an extract barleywine and Bill Lynch brewed an extract Scottish Heather Ale. Thanks to both of them!
• BJCP study sessions. The first study session was held in mid February and, due to the large amount of interest, the session is now closed to new attendees. Others interested in studying can take advantage of the many resources that have been made available under the Education button on the club website
• Club will subsidize any exam takers whether first timers or judges looking to move up in the ranks
• We are looking for volunteers to hold brew sessions at their homes. Cain and Cynthia Binning have agreed to hold one in April; March will be covered by Bruno Wichnoski, date will be forthcoming. So we’re looking for volunteers to hold sessions from June on; the May brew session will be the AHA Big Brew event. Details to follow

Competitions

• AHA club only competition next month will feature extract beers (minimum 50% extract used); one bottle is required and should be entered according to the 2004 BJCP style guidelines. EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO ENTER AT THE NEXT MEETING; judging will take place at that time
• The first CBOY competition is the Carboy competition in Raleigh on March 12. You can begin on line entries on February 12; entries must be received by March 6; info at http://hbd.org/carboy/shamrock.htm. We need entries if we’re to retain our title of Carolina Brewclub of the year
• Also, please consider entering one of your best in the AHA national competition
• US Open update; on line entries will begin to be accepted on March 7
• Reminder: The schedule for 2005 AHA Club Only Competitions is:
• May – Extract Beers – All categories; minimum 50% extract used
• August – French and Belgian Ales – Category 16
• September/October – European Amber Lager – Category 3
• November/December – Baltic Porter – Category 12C

Social Events

• CBM at the Checkers game was held on February 11. Another classic!!
• Social events for 2005 have been posted on the website
• AHA national conference in Baltimore in June; we need to finalize attendees as soon as possible so we can plan exactly how big the club’s involvement will be
• Hickory Hops festival will be held on Saturday April 9
• If anyone has any ideas for possible club sponsored events, please let me know

Oktoberfest/Treasurer

• The 2005 Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday October 8. We expect it to be held at the same site as last year and we will be incorporating a series of changes to the event as suggested at the committee’s post-fest meeting. We are holding an initial planning meeting next Monday where we will decide the various committee makeups. Please consider joining one when they are announced

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