Announcements
Wheat Beer!
Remember when we all got together at The Lab to share, brew, and bring home a wheat beer base to ferment? I do, and it was a fun day!
Well… it’s time to get together again to share the results of that Big Brew Day wort share!
We will have a little friendly competition with the wheat wort results (it could be a beer, a braggot, or some other wild and crazy thing you did with it), and we’ll share some beer at the brewery.
Join us at The Lab, June 17th, starting at 4pm and ending ????
We’ll begin the competition portion of the evening promptly at 6pm.
See you there!
Read MoreAll Club Campout!
August 4 – 7
Old Wadena Park located between Brainerd and Wadena
13491 Old Wadena Cir, Staples, MN 56479
- Come for one night, two nights, or three!
- Open to any homebrewer and their family. Loosely-structured weekend of sharing beer and mead around the fire. We have rented the entire campground and pavilion.
- Saturday’s festivities include a fun club vs. club homebrew competition (bring at least 2 bottles of anything you want to enter) and a Sour Hour, complete with trumpet fanfare.
- The MHBA will provide the Saturday evening feast.
- Bring food for all other meals during your stay, along with whatever preparation gear you need. Pull those special bottles out of your stash – THESE are the PEOPLE you save them for – it’s your opportunity to share!
- Tents and small campers welcome. Well-behaved dogs and acoustic instruments also welcome (no radios or amplified music, please). You must let John Longballa know you’re attending. The cost depends a bit on the meal, but should be around $30/adult; kids are free.
Facebook event page is located here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/4948590041924395/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22group_featured_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D
Read MoreNews Flash!
You can purchase your very own MHBA T-shirts, sweatshirts and more, using the link below! No minimum order.
Get yours now!
https://mhba.myspreadshop.com/all
Read More
BIG BREW DAY 2022
Here’s the skinny on the Brew for those of you that signed up and paid for wort. Make your final adjustments to your plans, and we’ll see you on Saturday.
When exactly?
9 am to (potentially) 9 pm.
Bring a sanitized NON GLASS fermenter with at least 5 gallon capacity.
Check in with Kevin Meintsma for wort runs from 1 pm to 3 pm, pick up runs from 4 pm to 5 pm.
Where is this?
THE LAB – Powered by BevSource
767 N. Eustis Street, STE 115
St. Paul, MN 55114
651-313-6888
Brewing On Premises:
- Brewers can start setting up at 9 am.
- Bring hoses, distributors, all other equipment, tables, towels, etc. that you need to brew.
- Bring a chair – there may not be enough to go around from The Lab.
- Bring food, homebrewed beer/cider/mead/wine to share.
- Food truck WILL be available.
- Beer will be available from The Lab taproom.
Wheat Beer Wort:
- OG-12 °P
- ABV- 5% (somewhat dependent on yeast)
- Color- 4SRM
- IBU- 13
- 34% 2-Row Base
- 57%- White Wheat Malt
- 7% Torrified Wheat
- Hops per gallon
- .21g Cascade 6.8α @ Beg Boil
- .41g Willamette 3.5α @ 30min
- .41g Cascade @ 30 min
- .63g Willamette @10min
- .63g Cascade @ 10min
- 1.04g Cascade @ WP
- Boil 60min
MHBA Visit to Barrel Theory Brewery 11am, Saturday April 23, 2022
Make sure to come to St. Paul with us on April 23 when Barrel Theory will be hosting the club for a visit! Learn about what they are doing, trying some beers, and have a good time with club friends.
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/4pF0ggPkt
MHBA welcomes members of the Primary Fermenters
Our friends and neighbors are welcomed into the MHBA with multiple opportunities to participate in events, brewing opportunities and education. If you are a member of the Primary Fermenters club, please contact an MHBA officer – we are providing member cards that you can use at your local homebrew shop for discounts and benefits.
Big Brew Day at The Lab, May 7th from 9am to 9pm
The wort share purchases have been completely filled. Our thanks to The Lab for providing a Wheat beer/Hefe base for this sharing opportunity.
If you want to brew with us:
Please sign up here so we know how many to expect
Bring your brewing system and make beer with us (LOTS of room!)
Doesn’t matter if you’re all grain or extract – ALL are welcome!
Beer may be purchased from The Lab
Food truck will be onsite, or bring your own food
Plenty of shelter is available in case of inclement weather for brewers and attendees
RO water and Saint Paul water is provided
Electricity is available (no 220)
Grain disposal is available
Homebrew sharing is permissible
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/1fxZMQyKQ
In With the New: Welcome your new leadership team!
The MHBA held elections on (yes really) Friday April 1st. Please welcome your officers, and as always, please share ideas, needs and interests with any of the leadership team:
- President – Nick Aschbrenner
- Vice-President – Matt Johnson
- Treasurer – Jon Hunter
- Secretary – Kevin Meintsma
- Member At-Large – Al Boyce
- Member At-Large – Adam Bystrom
- Member At-Large – Kurt Lawton
- Member At-Large – Abby Rouster
Our effort is directed along several focus areas:
- Social (led by Matt Johnson): responsible for planning monthly FFS, the holiday party, and other social activities like brewery tours
- Beer and brewing: (led by Kevin Meintsma and Nick Aschbrenner) responsible for Big Brew Day, Spring Homebrew Review, and Beer Dabbler Homebrew Contests
- Education (led by Nick): responsible for BJCP prep class
- Not Beer: (led by Abby Rouster and Dave Mattson) responsible for the Club Cider Buy
- Dave Royer is the technical wizard behind the MHBA that keeps us connected
Brave Noise Collaboration
The MHBA signed onto the Brave Noise Collaboration. What this means is we have a code of conduct and pledge to treat other people with respect.
It also means we get to brew beer and make a difference!
- Brew the all-grain or extract recipe (en español)
- The MHBA will donate a Tubman ($20) for every dues-paying member who brews Brave Noise in 2022 to the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Diversity in Brewing Scholarship to attend the Dakota County Technical College Brewing and Beer Steward certificate program
- You can make your own donations to their scholarship fund here
- Pledge to treat everyone with respect and let us know you brewed it here
Test Anxiety
Al Boyce is hosting a BJCP mead tasting exam on September 8 just prior to Valyrie’s Horn Mead Competition. It costs $40 if you’re new to the BJCP and $25 if you’ve already taken a BJCP tasting exam. You also have to get a passing score on the BJCP mead entrance exam. Only 12 seats are available so sign up ASAP!
Nick is hosting a BJCP written exam on October 15. To take it, you must have a BJCP beer tasting exam score at or above 80 and at least 10 judging points.
Let us know if you’re interested in taking either exam!
MHBA Flight Log
- Al Boyce was recently promoted to Grand Master IX judge by the BJCP (third highest-ranked BJCP judge in the world after Gordon Strong and Steve Piatz)
Hearing Voices
The following is a curated list of what we’re reading, listening to, and thinking about in the world of beer, mead, cider (and wine) this week:
Read More
In With the New: Club Elections x BlackStack
When: Friday, April 1 (not a joke) at 8:30 pm
Zoom information: meeting ID 882 5897 2798, password 488450
The MHBA is holding club elections Friday April 1 before our (Almost) Final Friday Social with the ur-murk merchants BlackStack. We will be voting on the following positions:
- president (currently Nick Aschbrenner)
- Vice-President (currently Josh Mahoney)
- Treasurer (currently Jon Hunter)
- Secretary (currently Matt Johnson)
- Member At-Large (currently Adam Bystrom)
- Member At-Large (currently Nathan Steigman)
Please help row our little Viking ship. The Minnesota Home Brewers Association needs you to help propel homebrewing in Minnesota into the future. Your voice matters.
What do these positions do? Well, the effort is directed along several focus areas:
- Social (led by Matt Johnson): responsible for planning monthly FFS, the holiday party, and other social activities like brewery tours
- Beer and brewing: responsible for Big Brew Day, Spring Homebrew Review, and Beer Dabbler Homebrew Contests
- Education (led by Nick): responsible for BJCP prep class
- Not Beer: responsible for the Club Cider Buy
Thank you to everyone who served on the Board! If you’re not in the room where it happens, here is a very brief highlight reel:
- Josh kept the club running and moving forward when I had to be out of the state for two months last year
- Jon not only stays on top of club finances, but he has nothing but good ideas. For example, we brought back the Beer Dabbler Homebrew Contests as a way to reach craft beer fans who want to take their hobby to the next level by making craft beer at home
- Matt, as the social organizer, is the reason why fun stuff has happened last year, from arranging the holiday party to getting some awesome social events lined up!
- Adam did a great job running our Spring Homebrew Review last year
- Nathan Steigman raises the profile of the MHBA with his competition dominance, is full of wisdom, and has made me a better person. And he made an awesome video for the club
- Dave Matson organized the cider buy last year and it was the best one yet
- Dave Royer is the technical wizard behind the MHBA that keeps up connected
After we get our leadership team voted in, we will be having an exciting Final Friday Social with BlackStack! If you’re able, pick up some of your favorite BlackStack beer to enjoy on the Zoom.
Big Brew Day and Wort Share with The Lab
When: Saturday, May 7 from 9 am to 9 pm
Where: The Lab (767 N Eustis St Suite 115, St Paul, MN 55114)
The Minnesota Home Brewers Association is celebrating Big Brew Day on May 7 at The Lab in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
If you are an MHBA dues-paying member, you can buy five or 10 gallons of wort here. (Not a member yet, sign up now!) The wort type will be announced soon. Non-glass containers must be dropped off between 1 and 3 pm, and must be picked up between 4 and 5 pm. Glass containers will absolutely NOT be filled for your safety and ours. No exceptions.
If you want to brew with us:
- Please sign up here so we know how many to expect
- Bring your brewing system and make beer with us (LOTS of room!)
- Doesn’t matter if you’re all grain or extract – ALL are welcome!
- Beer may be purchased from The Lab
- Food truck will be onsite, or bring your own food
- Plenty of shelter is available in case of inclement weather for brewers and attendees
- RO water and Saint Paul water is provided
- Electricity is available (no 220)
- Grain disposal is available
- Homebrew sharing is permissible
Brave Noise Collaboration
The MHBA signed onto the Brave Noise Collaboration. What this means is we have a code of conduct and pledge to treat other people with respect.
It also means we get to brew beer and make a difference!
- Brew the all-grain or extract recipe (en español)
- The MHBA will donate a Tubman ($20) for every dues-paying member who brews Brave Noise in 2022 to the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Diversity in Brewing Scholarship to attend the Dakota County Technical College Brewing and Beer Steward certificate program
- You can make your own donations to their scholarship fund here
- Pledge to treat everyone with respect and let us know you brewed it here
Test Anxiety
Al Boyce is hosting a BJCP mead tasting exam on September 8 just prior to Valyrie’s Horn Mead Competition. It costs $40 if you’re new to the BJCP and $25 if you’ve already taken a BJCP tasting exam. You also have to get a passing score on the BJCP mead entrance exam. Only 12 seats are available so sign up ASAP!
Nick is hosting a BJCP written exam on October 15. To take it, you must have a BJCP beer tasting exam score at or above 80 and at least 10 judging points.
Let us know if you’re interested in taking either exam!
MHBA Flight Log
- Al Boyce was recently promoted to Grand Master IX judge by the BJCP (third highest-ranked BJCP judge in the world after Gordon Strong and Steve Piatz)
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:
- Alessandra Agrestini talks Italian Grape Ale
- False Bottomed Girls make us smart about beer color
- More craft brewers are eschewing extrema in favor of low-alcohol beers
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
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
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