Matt Johnson

Ticket Sales for Saints Game Close in 1 Month

May 16, 2022
Join the MN Homebrewers Association for a Saints Game and Tailgating fun on July 12, 2022. The game is at 7pm, and tailgating starting whenever you get to the tailgating lot! Tickets HAVE to be purchased in advance and we will close purchases on June 14 (ONE MONTH AWAY). Make sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible!!!!
 
Ticket Link: https://mnbrewers.com/saints-game-payment/?fbclid=IwAR3KKO101tX7FdWHWO3EswB06AxzVxGHyhv4T_WzXCtKFnr_nWsJf76nXeA
 
FB Event Link: https://fb.me/e/1v2bo7S2L
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Sinning with the Saints Returns in July!

May 5, 2022
It is that time of year again for Sinning with the Saints where the MN Homebrewers Association takes over a portion of the ballpark to enjoy a game of baseball and time with fellow homebrewers.
 
In addition, there is always some tailgating fun prior to the game. Per usual, it will be in the tailgating lot and will be potluck style BYO food and drink. Please bring something to share.
 
To purchase tickets, use this link: https://mnbrewers.com/saints-game-payment/?fbclid=IwAR31q_j1PgPbLmF0azjN1YBtg7rKjD2l1IJIHJC4ex94bjDNqsNnAM2vui0
 
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/1v2bo7S2L
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April Final Friday Reminder

April 24, 2022
This months Final Friday we will be talking Polish meads! Join us on Friday April 30th
 
Try and grab a Polish mead to drink while Matt Weide shares his trip to Poland for the Mead Madness competition!
Some options for Polish Mead: Apis and Pasieka Jaros are two Polish Meadery’s that we have most often seen in the USA. Can also use online sites (hit or miss) or visit your liquor store to see if you can find some!
Topic: MHBA April Final Friday Social
Time: Apr 29, 2022 08:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 885 6042 0069
Passcode: 864610
FB Link: https://fb.me/e/2so5L17ne
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Brewery Visits and Final Fridays

March 20, 2022

 MHBA Visit to Lupulin Brewery March 12, 2022

Lupulin was kind enough to host us for a fantastic time at the brewery. If you weren’t able to make it, you missed them walking us through the history of Lupulin, a tour of the facilities, and general Q&A. Thank you to Lupulin for the great time!

March Final Friday Social April 1

Join us on April 1st where BlackStack Brewing will be hopping on to talk through some beers and the brewery!
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/2a49bzFIx

MHBA Visit to Barrel Theory Brewery April 23, 2022

Make sure to make it out to St. Paul on April 23 when Barrel Theory will be hosting the club for a visit!

FB Event: https://fb.me/e/4pF0ggPkt

Big Brew Day May 7th at “The Lab” in St. Paul

More details will be available soon, but the basics include:

  • On premises brewing – bring your systems!
  • Wort share – sign up (TBD) to purchase 5G for just $10 to take home and ferment.

MHBA Full Core Press Cider Competition

The Minnesota Home Brewers Association is pleased to announce the first MHBA Full Core Press Cider Competition. The club cider buy has long been a cornerstone of who we are collectively, and this competition strives to take our cider and cyser making to the next level by providing professional and high-level feedback.

Key details

  • 100% of the cider you use MUST come from the 2021 MHBA club cider buy
  • Full Core Press encourages entries in three categories: Standard Ciders (C1), Cysers (M2A), and Specialty Ciders (C2, including grafs)
  • Entry and judge registration will open September 2022
  • Judging will occur October 2022
  • Awards will be in-person at the 2022 MHBA club cider buy
  • Bring your ciders and cysers to the 2022 club cider buy for a fun bottle share!

Questions From the Community

No Questions Yet! Don’t forget that the Minnesota Home Brewers Association offers the Hive Mind as an option to ask questions from experts the community.

In order to submit a question, fill out the form here. The information is then anonymously sent to the experts who will provide their answer(s) based on years of expertise and studies. The answer(s) will then be collated and sent back to you – its that easy! At the end of every newsletter we will include the anonymous questions and answers for everybody else to see in order to spread the wealth of knowledge.

MHBA Honor Roll

  • Josh Mahoney on winning Gold and Bronze for Braggot at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Kevin Meintsma on winning Silver in Semisweet/Sweet Mead, Silver in Cyser, and Bronze in Semisweet Fruit and Spice Mead at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Nathan Steigman on winning Silver in Sweet Berry Mead at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Adam Bystrom on winning Bronze in Semisweet/Sweet Mead at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Patrick Curme voted to be on the AMMA board

Hearing Voices

The following is a curated list of what we’re reading, listening to, and thinking about in the world of beer, mead, and cider this week:

  • Learn about the new uprising trend of craft beer drinkers interest in lagers here
  • Watch club member Al Boyce on Man Made Mead as he talks all about his experience in homebrewing, what the BJCP mead certification exam looks like and gives us tips on how to be better mead makers!
  • AC Em Sauter at Pints and Panels talked about winter seasonal beer
  • Chip Walton of Chop and Brew was on the BeerSmith podcast on the episode that released on Christmas Eve.
  • Paige Latham Didora was on a panel for the North American Guild of Beer Writers discussing how the revelation of more than a thousand accounts of sexual harassment and assault, toxic workplaces and discrimination is affecting the beer industry – listen in here
Read More

Reminder: Lupulin Brewery Visit in One Week

March 5, 2022
Still dreaming of some of the beers you tried at the holiday party? Join us in ONE WEEK at Lupulin Brewery where they will share their brewery, philosophy, and answer any questions.
 
Please RSVP if you are planning to attend at the Facebook event below or to [email protected].
 
Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1qYagUYNZ
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Wrapping up February

February 28, 2022

MHBA Visit to Wooden Ship Brewing Feb 20, 2022

Thank you to Wooden Ship Brewing including Suresh and team for hosting the MN Homebrewers Association on February 20th. They took us on a tour of the facility, explained their philosophy and story, talked us through a tasting of Soup SZN (a light golden ale was brewed with large additions of ginger, lemongrass, coconut, turmeric, curry, thai basil, and scallions), and answered any questions we have. Make sure to stop by the brewery if you get a chance!

MHBA Holiday Party February 26th at Forgotten Star Brewing

Thanks to Forgotten Star for having the club at the brewery for this years holiday party. After multiple postponements we were able to gather for an evening of enjoying each others food, homebrew, and company. The club wouldn’t be what it is without all of its members, and appreciate seeing familiar faces and some new ones. Hope to continue seeing everyone throughout the year at future events. Special congratulations to Nathan Steigman for winning the inaugural “Ace” award for excellence in representation of passion in competitions and achievements over the past year.

Winter Beer Dabbler Homebrew Contest

Thank you to all that participated in the Winter Beer Dabbler Homebrew Contest. It was stiff competition, but the judges did their due diligence to identify the top three beers. Special congratulations to the three beers below who took home the honors. Hope to see everyone’s best beer / meads / ciders in the next competition!
🥇 Dan Peters (MHBA), Voodoo Bellman
🥈 Michelle and Andy Gerver (3M Homebrew Club), Jinx! NEIPA
🥉 Colin Maguire, Barrel Aged Bandito

MHBA Visit to Lupulin Brewery March 12, 2022

Lupulin Brewery will be hosting the club on March 12, 2022 to share in their brewing facilities and beers! More info to come.

FB Event: https://fb.me/e/1qYagUYNZ

March Final Friday Social April 1

Join us on April 1st where BlackStack Brewing will be hopping on to talk through some beers and the brewery!
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/2a49bzFIx

Craft Brewers Conference Seeking Volunteers (May 2-5)

The Craft Brewers Conference is looking for volunteers, see below note:

This year’s Craft Brewers Conference will take place May 2-5 at the Minneapolis Convention Center and your help is needed!

The Brewers Association is looking for awesome volunteers to pour at beer stations, assist at registration and help at the Welcome Reception. Enjoy the camaraderie of brewers from around the world while pouring select craft beer and helping the Brewers Association.

Please sign up for as many shifts as you can! You may see all opportunities, days and shifts at:

https://brewersassociation.wufoo.com/forms/wejrvjb1k53q2o/

Thank you for your consideration. Your help at this year’s Craft Brewers Conference is very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Carol Hiller
Operations/Volunteer Manager
Brewers Association

MHBA Full Core Press Cider Competition

The Minnesota Home Brewers Association is pleased to announce the first MHBA Full Core Press Cider Competition. The club cider buy has long been a cornerstone of who we are collectively, and this competition strives to take our cider and cyser making to the next level by providing professional and high-level feedback.

Key details

  • 100% of the cider you use MUST come from the 2021 MHBA club cider buy
  • Full Core Press encourages entries in three categories: Standard Ciders (C1), Cysers (M2A), and Specialty Ciders (C2, including grafs)
  • Entry and judge registration will open September 2022
  • Judging will occur October 2022
  • Awards will be in-person at the 2022 MHBA club cider buy
  • Bring your ciders and cysers to the 2022 club cider buy for a fun bottle share!

Questions From the Community

No Questions Yet! Don’t forget that the Minnesota Home Brewers Association offers the Hive Mind as an option to ask questions from experts the community.

In order to submit a question, fill out the form here. The information is then anonymously sent to the experts who will provide their answer(s) based on years of expertise and studies. The answer(s) will then be collated and sent back to you – its that easy! At the end of every newsletter we will include the anonymous questions and answers for everybody else to see in order to spread the wealth of knowledge.

MHBA Honor Roll

  • Josh Mahoney on winning Gold and Bronze for Braggot at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Kevin Meintsma on winning Silver in Semisweet/Sweet Mead, Silver in Cyser, and Bronze in Semisweet Fruit and Spice Mead at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Nathan Steigman on winning Silver in Sweet Berry Mead at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Adam Bystrom on winning Bronze in Semisweet/Sweet Mead at Mead Madness Cup in Poland
  • Patrick Curme voted to be on the AMMA board

Hearing Voices

The following is a curated list of what we’re reading, listening to, and thinking about in the world of beer, mead, and cider this week:

  • Learn about the new uprising trend of craft beer drinkers interest in lagers here
  • Watch club member Al Boyce on Man Made Mead as he talks all about his experience in homebrewing, what the BJCP mead certification exam looks like and gives us tips on how to be better mead makers!
  • AC Em Sauter at Pints and Panels talked about winter seasonal beer
  • Chip Walton of Chop and Brew was on the BeerSmith podcast on the episode that released on Christmas Eve.
  • Paige Latham Didora was on a panel for the North American Guild of Beer Writers discussing how the revelation of more than a thousand accounts of sexual harassment and assault, toxic workplaces and discrimination is affecting the beer industry – listen in here
Read More

World Beer Cup Volunteers Needed

February 25, 2022

A note from the World Beer Cup – they are needing volunteers if you are interested!

 

Good day volunteers!

 

I am so pleased to invite you to fill out the volunteer interest form for the 2022 World Beer Cup®!

 

Please read this entire message carefully, as it contains a large amount of information.

 

World Beer Cup ® judging phase 3 (see details below)

You will have the opportunity to identify your interest in phase 3 in the attached link. 

 

  • PHASE 3 of 2022 WBC®judging, will be held (April 30 – May 2, 2022), in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. This phase will be held at theHyatt Regency Minneapolis at 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota. We will have approximately 28 tables for phase 3 over three days.

 

We would like to identify your level of interest as this will help us finalize staffing for phase 3 utilizing volunteers in Minneapolis. This being said, it is very important that you fill out the link below no later than February 27th, 2022. (Email confirmations will be sent no later than February 28th, 2022) Please note: you must be at least 21 years of age to participate. Additionally, please identify if you have any brewery or craft beer industry affiliations of any kind. The information you provide on affiliations will be reviewed to ensure there is no conflict of interest.

 (Please ignore the date on the email you will receive after submitting your information via the link as it shows February 8th as the confirmation date and it should be February 28th)

Sign up here:

Here is the link:  https://brewersassociation.wufoo.com/forms/zji9mex1antc1i/

 

Some other items of interest:

In 2018, 2,515 breweries from 66 countries entered 8,234 beers that were judged in 101 categories. As you know, we canceled the 2020 World Beer Cup due to COVID. At the 2022 WBC, ~10,000 entries from around the world will compete in 103 categories. Roughly 35% of the total judge panel will come from outside the USA.

 

A word about health and wellness as it relates to COVID-19: The entire 2022 WBC competition is configured to emphasize the health and wellness of all participants. Judging will take place over more days, with fewer tables per day, fewer judges per table and fewer total judges. All WBC competition participants (judges, staff, volunteers) will be required to be fully vaccinatedWe will ask confirmed volunteers to provide proof of vaccination at a later date. (Please do not request this opportunity if you will be unable to provide proof of full vaccination in coming months). The protocol for PPE worn by judges and competition volunteers during judging will be determined based on COVID-related conditions at the time of the competition. We expect to meet or exceed all federal and state requirements at the time of the competition.

 

Phase 3 – All volunteers should plan to volunteer for all three days in this phase. If you are unable to volunteer for all 3 days, please identify on the form the days you are available to volunteer.  For those volunteers that are able to commit to the 3 days, we will have a very special drawing on the final day for a surprise raffle item. More information to be provided.

 

2022 WBC Interest and volunteer confirmation timeline: Please respond to this interest form for the WBC 2022 no later than Sunday, February 27th, 2022. All confirmations for WBC volunteer positions will be sent out no later than February 28th, 2022. All schedule details and perks will be forthcoming, and it is important to note that these are full days starting at 7am and ending at approximately 5pm each judging day. We will provide a light breakfast, snacks throughout the day and a full hot lunch each day of the competition.

 

Please see below for the overview of the various volunteer opportunities:

Volunteer job categories are on the interest link (more information forthcoming by volunteer job type).

 

Stewards – Will work under the direction of a Table Captain in all aspects of serving beers to the judges, along with other various duties as needed to run this competition. Training will be provided. (note: we use very small trays and very small sample pours ensuring this is an easy task for even the non-experienced volunteer)

Back of House Team– These are our folks that do not mind getting physical and moving beers for a large portion of the day.  Other duties to be outlined as needed as support for the competition. Training will be provided.

 

Administrative Team – These are our volunteers that care for not only filing comment cards, but all the other administrative duties as needed within the competition. Training will be provided.

If you are interested in joining us, please be sure to complete your form no later than Sunday February 27th, 2022.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me [email protected].

Thank you sincerely for your time and I very much look forward to hearing from you, and even more so meeting you in person as one of our amazing volunteers!

Steve Fletty

WBC Volunteer Coordinator

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Reminder: Holiday Party in One Week!

February 19, 2022
The Holiday Party is officially in one week – hope everybody is looking forward to celebrating the Holidays in February!
When you arrive to the brewery do not forget to do the following:
1. Head back to the event space in the back of the brewery
2. Grab a name tag
3. Grab a blue raffle ticket, write your name on it, and throw it in the jar
4. If entering the People’s Choice Award for best Beer / Mead / Cider / Wine infused potluck dish, write down the dish 
5. Grab a paper slip and vote for your favorite alcohol infused potluck dish6. Place your food with the others, and enjoy the festivities!
 
Quick Info

When: 2/26/2022 – 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Address: Forgotten Star Brewing Co., 38 Northern Stacks Dr, Fridley, MN 55421 – the event space in a private room in the back of the brewery.

What’s Happening
Setup will start around 5:00 pm and teardown at 9:30 pm
Socializing will be from 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Buffet-style food service will begin at 7:00 pm
Raffles with gift cards occurring throughout the night
What to bring
Food: Come with a potluck dish to share (bonus points for being prepared with a beer, cider, or mead). Make sure to bring serving utensils and an extension cord if needed. A “People’s Choice” award will be given for the best potluck dish with beer, cider, or mead as an ingredient with voting going on throughout the night. Plates, napkins, and silverware will be provided.
Beer/Cider/Mead to share: Bring any beer, mead, or cider that you wish to share. Bottles, growlers, and kegs are welcome. Don’t forget a small tasting glass—some plastic glasses will be available in case of emergency.
Remember to bring a tasting glass.
Family and Friends: This is a family-friendly event, so bring your significant other, kids, and/or any friends/family that have ever expressed an interest in homebrewing or beer. As this is one of the most attended gatherings of the year, it’s a great opportunity to get out and meet your fellow homebrewers. If you have not made it to a meeting or would like to join the club, the Holiday potluck is a perfect chance to try some great homebrew and delicious food, and exchange homebrew with others.
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Reminder: One Week till Visit to Wooden Ship

February 13, 2022
One week till the brewery visit to Wooden Ship! A couple of notes:
1. If you haven’t yet, please RSVP to the event so we have a headcount: https://fb.me/e/1QDssyfRc or emailing [email protected]
2. Arrive on time (11am) – we want to respect the brewery and the brewer’s time they have set aside for us.
3. To attend, ensure you are following the breweries guidelines on COVID-19. As of today, that is proof of a full course of vaccines or proof of a negative test from a lab within the past 72 hours.
 
Thanks and hope to see you there!
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February is the Month of Second Chances with Rescheduled Events

February 3, 2022

Reminder: MHBA Visit to Wooden Ship Brewing Feb 20, 2022

Wooden Ship Brewing will host the Minnesota Homebrewers Association for some fun! We will be touring the brewery and spending some time to learn about both Wooden Ship, how they make beer, and the great folks that run the brewery!

Please note, that in order to attend the event individuals need to be fully vaccinated per guidance provided by the brewery.

FB Event: https://fb.me/e/1QDssyfRc

MHBA Holiday Party Re-Scheduled for February 26th at Forgotten Star Brewing

The holiday party is officially one and a half weeks away! Bring your homebrew to share, food to enjoy with others (beer/cider/mead infused to enter the competition), and your luck to win some awesome raffles!

Quick Info

  • When: Saturday, February 26th – 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Address: Forgotten Star Brewing Co., 38 Northern Stacks Dr, Fridley, MN 55421 – the event space in a private room in the back of the brewery. 

What’s Happening

  • Setup will start around 5:00 pm and teardown at 9:30 pm
  • Socializing will be from 5:30 – 7:00 pm
  • Buffet-style food service will begin at 7:00 pm
  • Raffles with gift cards occurring throughout the night

What to bring

Food: Come with a potluck dish to share (bonus points for being prepared with a beer, cider, or mead). Make sure to bring serving utensils and an extension cord if needed. A “People’s Choice” award will be given for the best potluck dish with beer, cider, or mead as an ingredient with voting going on throughout the night. Plates, napkins, and silverware will be provided.

Beer/Cider/Mead to share: Bring any beer, mead, or cider that you wish to share. Bottles, growlers, and kegs are welcome. Don’t forget a small tasting glass—some plastic glasses will be available in case of emergency.

Remember to bring a tasting glass.

Family and Friends: This is a family-friendly event, so bring your significant other, kids, and/or any friends/family that have ever expressed an interest in homebrewing or beer. As this is one of the most attended gatherings of the year, it’s a great opportunity to get out and meet your fellow homebrewers. If you have not made it to a meeting or would like to join the club, the Holiday potluck is a perfect chance to try some great homebrew and delicious food, and exchange homebrew with others.

Winter Beer Dabbler Homebrew Contest is back

Are you planning on going to the Winter Beer Dabbler on February 19? If so, you’ve entered a homebrew contest already! Register a beer, mead, or cider ahead of time and drop off your entry at the Dabbler. Judging will happen the following week. Entering makes you eligible to win medals and prizes ($100 Northern Brewer gift card for BOS, $50 for runner-up, and $25 for third place). It’s also a GREAT opportunity to get some feedback on how to take our homebrew to the next level. Sign up now and hopefully lots of MHBA members sign up!

MHBA Visit to Lupulin Brewery March 12, 2022

Lupulin Brewery will be hosting the club on March 12, 2022 to share in their brewing facilities and beers! More info to come.

FB Event: https://fb.me/e/1qYagUYNZ

MHBA Full Core Press Cider Competition

The Minnesota Home Brewers Association is pleased to announce the first MHBA Full Core Press Cider Competition. The club cider buy has long been a cornerstone of who we are collectively, and this competition strives to take our cider and cyser making to the next level by providing professional and high-level feedback.

Key details

  • 100% of the cider you use MUST come from the 2021 MHBA club cider buy
  • Full Core Press encourages entries in three categories: Standard Ciders (C1), Cysers (M2A), and Specialty Ciders (C2, including grafs)
  • Entry and judge registration will open September 2022
  • Judging will occur October 2022
  • Awards will be in-person at the 2022 MHBA club cider buy
  • Bring your ciders and cysers to the 2022 club cider buy for a fun bottle share!

Questions From the Community

No Questions Yet! Don’t forget that the Minnesota Home Brewers Association offers the Hive Mind as an option to ask questions from experts the community.

In order to submit a question, fill out the form here. The information is then anonymously sent to the experts who will provide their answer(s) based on years of expertise and studies. The answer(s) will then be collated and sent back to you – its that easy! At the end of every newsletter we will include the anonymous questions and answers for everybody else to see in order to spread the wealth of knowledge.

MHBA Honor Roll

  • Patrick Curme voted to be on the AMMA board

Hearing Voices

The following is a curated list of what we’re reading, listening to, and thinking about in the world of beer, mead, and cider this week:

  • Watch club member Al Boyce on Man Made Mead as he talks all about his experience in homebrewing, what the BJCP mead certification exam looks like and gives us tips on how to be better mead makers!
  • AC Em Sauter at Pints and Panels talked about winter seasonal beer
  • Chip Walton of Chop and Brew was on the BeerSmith podcast on the episode that released on Christmas Eve.
  • Paige Latham Didora was on a panel for the North American Guild of Beer Writers discussing how the revelation of more than a thousand accounts of sexual harassment and assault, toxic workplaces and discrimination is affecting the beer industry – listen in here
  • Good Beer Hunting writes about how a method that had fallen to the wayside for modern generations of brewers, decoction brewing, is finding new interest and popularity
  • Louis Livingston-Garcia of Beer Dabbler talks with Beer Kulture, a non-profit focused on diversity and inclusion in the craft beverage industry, and the impact they are making
Read More