Announcements
There was sad news this past week. Our friend, Kathy Stock, passed away early the morning of the 29th. Kathy was Curt Stock’s wife, and one of the first “Database Queens” of the Upper Mississippi Mash-Out. She was one of the sweetest and most tolerant people ever, putting up with all of the shenanigans of the brewing community. She will be deeply missed – our hearts go out to Curt, and all of their family. The funeral will be Thursday, June 4. Please check the obituary for additional information.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research, or by postal mail to:
Read MoreMusella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research
1100 Peninsula Blvd.
Hewlett, NY 11557
The time is upon us! If you are thinking of joining us at the St Paul Saints game this Monday, go get your ticket now. There are just a couple left and we cannot get more. Details of tailgating and ticket pickup will be emailed out in the next day or so here.
Also, if you want to participate in the Iron Brewer competition and would like to get the secret ingredient for FREE, sign up quickly for pickup at the game!
Read MoreJoin us for the first ever “MHBA Iron Brewer Competition”
Details:
- This will be a club only contest that will utilize a secret ingredient in the brewing process.
- Brewers will have from June 8th until September 13th to brew any beer that they feel will work in harmony and exemplify the secret ingredient.
- Brewers should bring at minimum 6 – 12 oz bottles or 1 – 64oz growler. We will have the club jockey box available for kegs as well.
- The secret ingredient will be unveiled June 8th on-line and at the “Sinning with the Saints” game.
- The secret ingredient will be provided for free to any member that pre-registers for the competition and arrives at the Saints game and wants to participate in the competition.
- The secret ingredient will be chosen at random from one of these 4 ingredients:
- Coconut
- Lime
- Salt
- Wild Rice
There are two ways to win:
- We will have a panel of 3 qualified judges to select the Iron Brewer. The winner will win an MHBA Iron Brewer trophy and a $50 gift certificate to Midwest SUpplies.
- We will also have a people’s choice award will win a $50 to Midwest Supplies.
If you plan on picking up the ingredient at the Saints game (we need to ensure we have enough), or have any questions about this event please e-mail Matt Weide at[email protected] or register on the event page.
Read MoreHere’s a quick rundown of some of the awesome events coming up!
May 21 : Social event at Burning Bros Brewing
Come join us at Burning Brothers for a tour and discussion of Gluten Free brewing. Burning Brothers is doing some amazing things without lots of your typical brewing ingredients. Come stop out, try their beers and meet some fellow club members.
June 1-6 : Cider Week & Cider Competition
Town Hall Brewery is having their 2nd annual Cider Competition coming up in coordination with Minneapolis’s Cider week, coming up June 1st through 6th.
June 8 : Sinning with the Saints
We are fast approaching out annual outing with the Minnesota Saints. If you haven’t purchased tickets, there are a couple more available for purchase. When they are gone, we CANNOT get more so don’t wait. John will be sending out more details to those who have purchased tickets very soon.
In 1988, May 7 was announced before Congress as National Homebrew Day. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) created AHA Big Brew as an annual event to celebrate National Homebrew Day around the world. AHA Big Brew is held each year on the first Saturday in May.
Once again Lucid Brewing is hosting a Big Brew day where they invite homebrewers to bring our equipment and joy for homebrewing for a day of beer camaraderie. They will supply the hot and cold water and a few beers. Feel free to bring homebrew to share!
Interested or have questions? Send an email to [email protected].
Read MoreIt’s time for one of our most popular events of the year! This Saturday the Minnesota Home Brewers Association will host out annual chili cookoff. Once again, the winner will get to walk away not only with bragging rights but with the coveted “Chief Chili Pepper” award!
- When: Saturday, March 21, 2015 AT 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Where: East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413
Please note the location change from previous years!. We will not be at the CSPS hall as we have in the past.
There will be the much coveted Chief Chili Pepper award, voted by popular opinion. The categories of chili will be:
- Red Chili – meat, but NO beans
- Chili with Beans
- Open – green, vegetarian, white, whatever
Homebrew, mead and cider are welcome and especially those that go well with chili.
You should bring: Bring your chili ready-to-eat, in crockpots, along with extension cords, power strips, and serving utensils. A sample glass to sample your fellow members beverages.
The Club will provide: Bowls, spoons, and napkins will be provided. We will also have the club jockey box at this event.
Inviting both family and friends is highly encouraged! Particularly if you have someone in mind that is interested in homebrewing.
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Thanks to Gera and Rock Bottom, the club once again enjoyed the lovely and spacious confines of Rock Bottom’s group room in downtown Minneapolis this past Saturday. As recompense for the brewery’s hospitality, the club purchased six pitchers of varying beer styles for the enjoyment of the twenty (or so) attendees. It WAS the election meeting, so no one dared step away to the restroom for long, for fear of returning to find that he or she was now in an elected position!
It was great to see some new faces, and one of those new faces will be seen on the MHBA Board for the next two years. Dan Dugan, fresh off the bus from D.C., accepted a nomination for (and won) an at-large seat. The other at-large seat was filled by Paul Illa, who (besides assisting with the printing of the calendar cards each member will be receiving) also will be serving for two years.
The club very much appreciates Al Boyce, who had been in an at-large seat the past two years.
The other at-large seat up for election had been filled by Gera Exire LaTour, who also had been the club treasurer this past year. On Saturday she was elected to remain treasurer for another year, but vacated the at-large seat she had held so that there could be more people involved on the board. President Brett Glenna, vice-president John Longballa, and secretary Dave Royer were all re-elected to their one-year positions. Chris Smith and Matt Weide are in two-year at-large seats that will be open next February. Michael Cote is a board member as President Emeritus.
Mike Behrendt and Mike Moranz raised the question of whether the club’s cash assets are too high, and asked the board to draft a budget for the coming year, and the board will do so. One reason mentioned for having a large amount of money is that the cost of meeting space might be rising dramatically in 2015, as the CSPS Hall is no longer able to give us the fantastic rate that they have held for us for decades. They are still giving us a break versus their regular rate, but just not as much of a break.
Here is the list of brewers who brought their wares to be sampled by all. They’ll be entering (or climbing) the ranks of the club’s Brewers of Fame program.
John Vircks–Ivan and Arthur: Baltic Porter
Brett Glenna and Paul Illa: English Mild
Gera Exire LaTour: Mead with blackberries and tart cherries
Brett Glenna: Scottish 70/-
Jon Hunter: Vienna
Paul Illa: Gose
Thanks again to Rock Bottom for once again granting us some free space!
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One more reminder about the social event next week on Wednesday, March 11th. Stop out for a $3 pint and say hi to your fellow home brewers! Check out the calendar event page for all the details!
Thanks to everyone who came out to Rock Bottom Brewery this past Saturday for our annual business meeting. We took care of officer elections, had some good discussion on some important issues and had some great beer!
Your President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer all stayed the same as did two of the four at-large officers. We welcomed two new at-large officers in this year for a two-year term. They are Daniel Dugan and Paul Illa. Special thanks to Al Boyce and Gera Exire La Tour who’s at-large terms came to an end.
Ledt to Right: Dave Royer, Chris Smith, Daniel Dugan, John Longballa, Paul Illa, Gera Exire La Tour, Matt Weide, Brett Glenna
Just a few reminders this week.
Meeting this Saturday
Hopefully we will see everyone this Saturday at Rock Bottom Brewery in Minneapolis for our February meeting. We will be in the private room in the dining room. This is our annual business meeting which includes officer elections. Feel free to bring your homebrew to share as well.
Social Event at Boom Island
March 11th we will have a social event at Boom Island in Minneapolis. Come join us for a beverage ($3 pints for us!) and a fun time!
March Chili Cookoff
The March club meeting is coming up on the 21st. This is our annual Chili Cookoff. This is one meeting not to miss! Bring your best chili and compete for people’s choice awards and take home the coveted “Chief Chili Pepper” award! Note for long-time attendees, the location has changed from past years. Check the event page for all the details.
St Paul Saints Game
Finally, if you haven’t purchased tickets to June’s St. Paul Saints game, do so quick. We are not expecting to be able to buy additional tickets as the game approaches so if you are thinking of coming, buy now! This will be the Saints’ first year in their new Lowertown St Paul home and it is sure to be a fun time!