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Thanks for a great Learn To Brew Day

November 13, 2014

Thanks to everyone who took the time to join us for the MHBA Learn to Home Brew meeting on Saturday at Barley John’s Brewpub. Despite the cooler weather, we had an excellent group and a fantastic time!

Photo by Dave Royer

Photo by Dave Royer

HUGE thanks to Barley John’s and their fantastic staff who allowed us to hang out on their patio again this year. Not only do they open early for us, but they also make sure we can get a hearty breakfast (egg bake is a special menu item for our event) and plenty of beer.

Even after all these years, it is surprising how much effort goes into making this event a success. It is not just one person, but rather a team working together. So thanks need to go to Gera Exire LaTour, Brett Glenna, Dave Royer, and John Longballa (who originally started working with Barley John’s to make this happen). (more…)

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MHBA Brewers Hall of Fame

November 7, 2014

Minnesota Home Brewers Association’s Brewers of Fame Program

The purpose of this program is five-fold:
A) to encourage members to brew more often
B) to encourage members to brew myriad styles
C) to encourage members to bring more homebrew to meetings
D) to encourage widespread sharing of homebrew at meetings
E) to encourage focused group discussions of homebrew at meetings

At each meeting (as opposed to social events), there will be a period of focused homebrew dissemination and conversation following the toast and announcements. Each club member who has brought the minimum amount of homebrew will present it to the attending club officer(s). The minimum amount of each specific beer to qualify for the Brewer Hall of Fame program is a six-pack of twelve-ounce bottles, a full two-liter bottle, or equivalent amount in a keg, growler, or other storage system. The brewer may describe the recipe and/or process while the homebrew is being distributed. A club officer or the brewer may read the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) style guidelines for the style being shared. Homebrew may ALWAYS be just simply shared, i.e., shared casually, and not through the Brewers of Fame process.
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Come Join Us Next Thursday At Bauhaus

November 5, 2014

It’s been a while since we had a social meeting so next Thursday, November 13th we will be heading over to Bauhaus Brew Labs to talk about what we have been brewing lately and for a private tour. Swing out around 6:00 or so to grab a beverage from the tap room. Join us around 6:45 for the tour! Look for the MHBA logo on one of the tables to find us.BBLLogo

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Join Us For Learn To Brew Day This Saturday

November 5, 2014

Come join us this Saturday, November 8 from 10:00am until 2:00pm at Barley John’s Brewpub in New Brighton for the annual Learn To Brew Day celebration! We’ll have brewing demonstrations, prizes, homebrew, prizes, awesome food and beer from Barley John’s, prizes and lots of fun people! Bring your friends and family and come out and join us!

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Getting started making hard cider

November 4, 2014

This is a “getting started” guide to making hard cider for home brewers by the Minnesota Home Brewers Association. The goal of this guide is to walk you through the steps for making great hard cider and to help you learn about the decisions needed at each point in the process.

When making cider, there are many opinions as to what makes great cider, but there are three things that nearly everyone agrees are critical to keep in mind. The first is to start with good juice. The second is to use good yeast. The third is to have patience. If you start with these three items, you will have a better chance of success.

Terminology

Must : A term from winemaking referring to unfermented, sweet juice akin, to “wort” in brewing.

Getting started quickly

Are you looking to just get started and make some great cider? There are lots of options to consider but if you want a simple place to start, try this.

What you will need

  • 5 gallons of preservative-free cider
  • Campden tablet – If the cider has not been pasteurized
  • Yeast Nutrient
  • Yeast Energizer
  • 2 Lbs brown sugar
  • White Labs English Cider Yeast WLP775
  • Potassium Sorbate or an extra Campden tablet

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There is still time to vote

October 28, 2014

We are coming down to the wire for voting in the 2014 “It’s kind of a big deal” awards from The Growler. The Minnesota Home Brewers Association took home Best Homebrew Club for the past two years and we need your help to win the title again.

Please go vote…and ask your friends to vote for us too! 936552_1405198513054232_920767604_n

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Correction on Midwest’s Learn To Brew Festivities

October 28, 2014

There was an error in last week’s announcement about Midwest Supplies Learn To Brew event. It’s actually happening THIS Saturday, November 1st and not November 8th! Hit up both events on the upcoming 2 Saturdays for more chances at fun prizes!

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Social Event at Bauhaus Brew Labs on November 13

October 23, 2014

It’s time we had a social event!BBLLogo

The team behind Bauhaus Brew Labs in Minneapolis have graciously offered the MHBA a behind-the-scenes tour of their brewery and a sneak peak at some fun upcoming projects. This is an informal social event and we’ll plan on starting to gather around 6:00pm at the taproom. At 6:45 we will have a tour so plan on getting to the taproom and grabbing a beer before then. Please bring your homebrew questions and ideas but for this event, we will leave the homebrew itself at home.

If you are not familiar with Bauhaus, they are one of the newer breweries in the Twin Cities, having opened in the summer of 2014. They specialize in beers based on classic German styles but not being too concerned about staying 100% accurate to style.

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Coming down to the wire for the 2014 Cider Buy

October 22, 2014

If you are still thinking about trying your hand at making a hard cider this year, your opportunity to get some of the best juice around is coming to a close.

The MHBA is again purchasing 500 gallons and there are a few gallons still left available. If you are interested in reserving some, fill out the reservation request form. Cider comes from Pine Tree orchard in the Twin Cities and is routinely referred to as some of the best cider available for fermentation. The cost is $20 per 5 gallons and must be reserved and paid for in advance. Pickup is on Saturday, November 8 at Learn To Brew day at Barley Johns Brew Pub.

To reserve your cider, or for more information, check out the original post and fill out the form!

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Another Opportunity for Prizes on Learn To Brew Day

October 21, 2014

After you have stopped off at Barley Johns Brew Pub for the Annual MHBA Learn To Brew Day festivities you are probably going to be itching to brew something. Consider swinging by Midwest Supplies and say hi to MHBA President Emeritus Michael Cote where he will be helping Midwest host their own “Learn to Brew” day.

The attendance at Barley John’s is always fantastic, but if you can’t make it there, please come to Midwest and hang out with other MHBA members, (some who have to work at Midwest and can’t get to Barley John’s), and the general public. There will be brewing demonstrations as well as some great gift giveaways!

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