Announcements
It’s almost April and that can only mean one thing…it’s time for the best Homebrew Festival around! Come out to the beautiful Northern Brewer Warehouse on Saturday April 2 and join us for the 7th annual MHBA Homebrew Fest!
This has been a very popular event and last year we had over 70 different home brews to try. It is a great opportunity to share your beer, mead, or cider with your fellow members. There will be prizes for People’s Choice Best Beer and another for People’s Choice Best Mead/Cider. You can bring bottles, growlers, or kegs—any amount, but try to bring enough so you can share.
We will have the club Jockey Box for up to 5 kegs available. If you want a spot, contact Gera, the organizer.
This is also a great event to bring a friend who is contemplating getting involved in either homebrewing or joining the MHBA. Hope to see you there!
For event details, like address and time, check out the event listing in the calendar. Note the postcard incorrectly listed this on April 4th. The event is Saturday April 2nd.
April 2015 Homebrew Fest – Photo by Chris Smith
Sunday, February 28 saw the annual election/business meeting for the club merge with the 13th annual chili cook-off. Bob Norman’s El Diablo chili won a $30 Penzey’s gift card in the Red Chili with Beans category, while the open category featured an old favorite as its winner, Gera Exire LaTour’s famous Chili Verde. Gera went home with a gift card, and took Chief Chili Pepper with her for the fifth time in the past eight cook-offs, as the Chili Verde was the overall chili champ. For those who don’t know, Chief Chili Pepper is the traveling trophy for the cook-off.
In other, non-food voting, Brett Glenna stepped aside from the president’s post, and we send a hearty “thank you” to Brett for his excellent years of service to the club. John Longballa, who had been vice-president, was elected president, a position he held back in 2005-2006. Matt Wiede, whose board member at-large term was expiring, was elected vice-president. Gera Exire LaTour, who gave a detailed account of the club’s finances, was re-elected treasurer, while Dave Royer, who detailed the current state of memberships, was re-elected secretary. Chris Smith was re-elected to his board member at-large position, and Dave Matson was elected to fill the post vacated by Matt Weide. Paul Illa’s and Dan Dugan’s board member at-large positions were not up for election.
The meeting was graced by the presence of Wayne and Noah Marklowitz from RF Doering Hop Farm. They provided a presentation on the state of their newer farm and hop processing business, and fielded many questions from members.
The next meeting is the annual Homebrew Fest, Saturday, April 2nd at Northern Brewer Warehouse.
It’s that time of year again. Chief Chili Pepper is coming out of hiding and that means it must be time for the Annual Chili cookoff with the MHBA!
This Sunday we will host the annual event at the CSPS hall in St Paul in conjunction with the election of club officers and a special presentation by Wayne Marklowitz of RFDoering Hop Farm. Hops, chili and homebrew…what else do you need?
Here is the low-down on the event, what’s happening when and what you need to bring.
Schedule
Here is the approximate schedule. Don’t get upset when this changes a bit.
- 12:00 – Arrival and social hour.
- 1:00 – Potluck chili showdown.
- 2:00 – Presentation by Wayne Marklowitz of RFDoering Hop Farm.
- 2:30 – Election of club officers and treasurer’s report.
- 4:00 – Adjournment.
If you’ve wanted to get involved with the club in a leadership capacity, well, here’s your opportunity! We will be voting on president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and two at-large board seats. Not everyone is wanting to continue his/her position, so please consider tossing your hat in the ring!
Chili Contest
Break out your best chili recipe, and if you win the people’s choice award, you can take home Chief Chili Pepper! There are three categories you may enter:
- Red Chili – meat, but NO beans
- Chili with Beans
- Open – green, vegetarian, white, whatever
Homebrew, mead, and cider are encouraged, especially those that go well with chili. If you bring at least a six-pack’s worth (or one growler, or one keg) of one style for group tasting, then you will receive credit for that style in the Brewers of Fame program.
What to Bring
YOU should bring your chili ready-to-eat, in crockpots, along with extension cords, power strips, and serving utensils. Bring a sample glass and some homebrew to share. Bring the family too!
The CLUB will provide bowls, spoons, and napkins.
Chief Chili Pepper is the traveling trophy awarded to the winner of the chili contest!
Do you have a fantastic chili recipe that you need to show off? How about a new experimental recipe that pairs great with your latest homebrew? It’s time for the MHBA annual chili cookoff competition!
The February MHBA meeting is our combination Chili cookoff and Club Officer elections. Bring your favorite chili, bring your homebrew and get ready for a fun time!
Read MoreAre you ready to show off your mad bowling skills while sharing some homebrew?
Monday, January 25th, at 7:00, the club will take over the six lanes and party space at Saint Francis Bowling Center, located in the St. Francis school building at 426 S. Osceola Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102, just one block north of the intersection of Randolph and West 7th. The space can accommodate only 40 people, so please e-mail John Longballa at [email protected] to reserve your space at the party. Homebrew, other beer, and food are welcome and encouraged! The entrance to the lanes is through the back parking lot of the school. We can enter any time after 6:45. Shoe rental is $1, and is up to the members to pay. Children are welcome, and we’ll probably set up a lane with gutter guards (perhaps not JUST for the kids!).
Read MoreFor anyone that renewed recently, membership cards have been printed and mailed out to everyone who paid their dues by January 10. If you renewed by that date but haven’t received your painted card, email our Treasurer to let her know. If you have renewed since then or are just now remembering you need to renew, don’t worry, more cards will be going out soon.
Read MoreOn Monday, January 25th, at 7:00, the club will take over the six lanes and party space at Saint Francis Bowling Center, located in the St. Francis school building at 426 S. Osceola Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102, just one block north of the intersection of Randolph and West 7th. The space can accommodate only 40 people, so please e-mail John Longballa at [email protected] to reserve your space at the party. Homebrew, other beer, and food are welcome and encouraged! The entrance to the lanes is through the back parking lot of the school. We can enter any time after 6:45.
The club is paying for the first two hours of bowling, and the folks who want to stick around for a third hour can collect $50 total for the third hour the night of the party. Shoe rental is $1, and is up to the members to pay. Children are welcome, and we’ll probably set up a lane with gutter guards (perhaps not JUST for the kids!).
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On Sunday, December 13th, MHBA had its annual holiday party at the CSPS Hall. This was a change from prior years by having it on a Sunday versus the traditional Friday. Many people responded that Sunday seems to be an easier option than trying to rush during Friday evening traffic. For that reason we will be having it again on a Sunday in 2016.
We were treated to a wonderful live band that played holiday music for all. A big thanks to John Lonballa for finding and securing the band. This event is generally a very large turnout for MHBA and this year didn’t disappoint. We had plenty of homebrewed beer, mead and cider to go around, along with a keg of Summit’s Oatmeal stout. As usual, we had a great selection of food and we are all reminded at the commonality of brewing and having great cooks. This years People’s Choice award goes to Matt Weide for his melomel and Rick Oftel for his chocolate cake dessert. In fact, these two winners made a great pairing!
If you weren’t able to make it to this year’s party, please consider it for 2016. It is a great opportunity to see the creativity of your fellow members along with visiting people that don’t often make it to many other monthly meetings. One of the greatest things that I’ve enjoyed being involved in the MHBA is the lifelong friends I have made over the years. Homebrewing or not there are some great people in this club.
One final reminder about Sunday’s holiday party! Come join us at the CSPS Hall in St Paul for the MHBA event of the year!
Bring your friends, family and anyone who enjoys good food, beverages and company! Bring your favorite homebrew, your favorite dish to share and a tasting glass. We have a fantastic afternoon planned with live music, a keg of Summit Oatmeal Stout and tons of fun. This is an event open to the whole family, feel free to bring everyone, young and old!
Bring your beverages with a description and/or recipe if you like. Leave your name off though as we will have a People’s Choice contest for best food and best beverage!
If you have any questions or need help, come chat with us on the Facebook group or via email.
With Learn to Brew behind us, it’s time to start getting ready for the Annual Holiday Party! By popular demand, this year’s party will be held on Sunday, December 13th at noon at the CSPS hall in St Paul. As always, this is a pot-luck and you are encouraged to bring your friends, family and anyone else you want to introduce to our fun group!
Stay tuned for more details!
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