Posts

Reminder: Final Friday Social 1/28/22

January 24, 2022
Don’t forget this Friday for the first Final Friday Social of the year – we will be drinking, sharing (virtually), and socializing about local stouts! Make sure to make a stop and pick up your favorite local stouts to talk about.
Facebook Event Details: https://fb.me/e/18tTkzRfZ
Meeting ID: 858 6572 7589
Passcode: 578059
Read More

Winter Beer Dabbler Homebrew Contest is Back!

January 18, 2022

Reminder: Final Friday Social January 28th

We are back for 2022! Join the MN Home Brewers Association for a night of fun.
Grab your favorite stouts from some local craft breweries to socialize and talk about the stouts you are drinking. If you have got a few that you are excited about, share them!
https://fb.me/e/18tTkzRfZ
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85865727589?pwd=RkJzQlhmZkY2Y29rcHh2VnNacnkvdz09 Meeting ID: 858 6572 7589 Passcode: 578059

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!

Brew Day Jams

If you’re like me, your brew day starts with getting your shiny stainless kettle and mash tun out of the basement. You have your grain, your water, your hops, your yeast starter going, your recipe sheet, but you get this nagging feeling something is missing. Music! You turn up the stereo and, before you know it, you’re dancing around the kitchen using your mash paddle as an air guitar and your spouse wisely pretends not to know you. Just me? Cool, cool.
But how cool would it be if we had a shared MHBA Brew Day playlist that we could all rock out to?
In the near future, there will be two shared playlists on Apple Music and on other services at a later date: MHBA Brew Day playlist and MHBA Brew Day playlist (kid friendly).
What songs should be on it? Let us know here!

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.

 

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.

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

  • Adam Bystrom runner up for Mead Maker of the Year
  • Steve Fletty second runner up for Mead Maker of the Year
  • Nathan Steigman received first for berry dry and 3rd for historical at Mazer Cup
  • Adam Bystrom got 1st in fruit and spice dry and 2nd for cyser at Mazer Cup
  • Paul S Johnson received 3rd for SHV sweet at Mazer Cup
  • Josh Mahoney received third in braggot at Mazer Cup
  • The club received second place in the club competition at Mazer Cup
  • Kevin Meintsma won best in show for mead/cider at Hoppy Halloween
  • Al Boyce won best Halloween Beer at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second and third for Traditional Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won first for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won third for Cider and Perry at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won Best in Show – Mead at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won third in Bitters at Minnesota Mashout
  • Soren Jensen won first in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won second in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Dave Matson won third in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Scott Haraldson won first in “Fruitsen and Spicen” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won first in “Smoked, wooded, weizened, and specialty” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in Mead – Traditional at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won first in “Mead – Pyser Cyment” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won third in “Mead – CarMelo’s Mels’ at Minnesota Mashout
  • Kevin Meintsma won first in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Anthony Davis won third in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Al Boyce won third in “Mead – Fruit does not go here” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in “Mead – Wilford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won second in “Mead – Wildford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won third in historic and alternative ferment beer at Music City Brew Off

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

Brewery Visit to Wooden Ship Rescheduled to Feb 20

January 12, 2022

Rescheduled: MHBA Visit to Wooden Ship Brewing February 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.

Read More

Holiday Party Rescheduling and January Final Friday

January 10, 2022

Reminder: Final Friday Social January 28th

We are back for 2022! Join the MN Home Brewers Association for a night of fun.
Grab your favorite stouts from some local craft breweries to socialize and talk about the stouts you are drinking. If you have got a few that you are excited about, share them!
https://fb.me/e/18tTkzRfZ
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85865727589?pwd=RkJzQlhmZkY2Y29rcHh2VnNacnkvdz09 Meeting ID: 858 6572 7589 Passcode: 578059

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.

 

Reminder: MHBA Visit to Wooden Ship Brewing Jan 23, 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!

Always learning with the MHBA

The MHBA has been at the forefront of beer education for over ten years with one of the most effective BJCP prep courses available. This year, five students took the BJCP Beer Exam Prep Class and ten sat for the exam at Summit Brewing Company on December 11. Because the class was virtual this iteration, students participated from Mankato, Milwaukee, and even Cincinnati!
You can learn more about the course here. If you want to sign up to be contacted about future offerings of this class, please let the MHBA Education Committee know here! As at least some future versions may be virtual, you don’t need to live in the Twin Cities area to participate!

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

  • Adam Bystrom runner up for Mead Maker of the Year
  • Steve Fletty second runner up for Mead Maker of the Year
  • Nathan Steigman received first for berry dry and 3rd for historical at Mazer Cup
  • Adam Bystrom got 1st in fruit and spice dry and 2nd for cyser at Mazer Cup
  • Paul S Johnson received 3rd for SHV sweet at Mazer Cup
  • Josh Mahoney received third in braggot at Mazer Cup
  • The club received second place in the club competition at Mazer Cup
  • Kevin Meintsma won best in show for mead/cider at Hoppy Halloween
  • Al Boyce won best Halloween Beer at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second and third for Traditional Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won first for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won third for Cider and Perry at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won Best in Show – Mead at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won third in Bitters at Minnesota Mashout
  • Soren Jensen won first in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won second in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Dave Matson won third in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Scott Haraldson won first in “Fruitsen and Spicen” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won first in “Smoked, wooded, weizened, and specialty” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in Mead – Traditional at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won first in “Mead – Pyser Cyment” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won third in “Mead – CarMelo’s Mels’ at Minnesota Mashout
  • Kevin Meintsma won first in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Anthony Davis won third in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Al Boyce won third in “Mead – Fruit does not go here” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in “Mead – Wilford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won second in “Mead – Wildford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won third in historic and alternative ferment beer at Music City Brew Off

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:

  • 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

MHBA Holiday Party Postponed

January 4, 2022

Holi

Out of an abundance of caution we will be postponing the MHBA Holiday party. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for details on future date / party.

Read More

Happy Holidays from MHBA

December 28, 2021
It has been a long and busy year for MHBA. From Final Friday Social Virtual calls every month getting to learn from professional brewers, visiting Schells and Starkeller, and members winning MANY awards. We hope that you have been able to enjoy the holidays and the year with those you love – whether that is a good friend or family.

MHBA Holiday Party Scheduled for January 8th 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, January 8th – 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.

 

Reminder: MHBA Visit to Wooden Ship Brewing Jan 23, 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!

Always learning with the MHBA

The MHBA has been at the forefront of beer education for over ten years with one of the most effective BJCP prep courses available. This year, five students took the BJCP Beer Exam Prep Class and ten sat for the exam at Summit Brewing Company on December 11. Because the class was virtual this iteration, students participated from Mankato, Milwaukee, and even Cincinnati!
You can learn more about the course here. If you want to sign up to be contacted about future offerings of this class, please let the MHBA Education Committee know here! As at least some future versions may be virtual, you don’t need to live in the Twin Cities area to participate!

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

  • Adam Bystrom runner up for Mead Maker of the Year
  • Steve Fletty second runner up for Mead Maker of the Year
  • Nathan Steigman received first for berry dry and 3rd for historical at Mazer Cup
  • Adam Bystrom got 1st in fruit and spice dry and 2nd for cyser at Mazer Cup
  • Paul S Johnson received 3rd for SHV sweet at Mazer Cup
  • Josh Mahoney received third in braggot at Mazer Cup
  • The club received second place in the club competition at Mazer Cup
  • Kevin Meintsma won best in show for mead/cider at Hoppy Halloween
  • Al Boyce won best Halloween Beer at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second and third for Traditional Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won first for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won third for Cider and Perry at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won Best in Show – Mead at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won third in Bitters at Minnesota Mashout
  • Soren Jensen won first in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won second in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Dave Matson won third in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Scott Haraldson won first in “Fruitsen and Spicen” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won first in “Smoked, wooded, weizened, and specialty” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in Mead – Traditional at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won first in “Mead – Pyser Cyment” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won third in “Mead – CarMelo’s Mels’ at Minnesota Mashout
  • Kevin Meintsma won first in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Anthony Davis won third in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Al Boyce won third in “Mead – Fruit does not go here” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in “Mead – Wilford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won second in “Mead – Wildford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won third in historic and alternative ferment beer at Music City Brew Off

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:

  • 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

MHBA Holiday Party in One Month!

December 7, 2021

Quick Info

When: Saturday, January 8th – 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.
Facebook Link: https://fb.me/e/2mYBFUity
Read More

Who is Ready for some Holiday Spirit (and Holiday Party details)

November 22, 2021

MHBA Holiday Party Scheduled for January 8th at Forgotten Star Brewing

Hold the date for the annual holiday party! Event details will be posted on Facebook as well: https://fb.me/e/2mYBFUity.

Quick Info

  • When: Saturday, January 8th – 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.

Reminder: MHBA Visit to Wooden Ship Brewing Jan 23, 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!

Beer Casting Call

Do you have homebrew, especially REALLY BAD homebrew, you’re willing to share? There is a BJCP tasting exam on December 11 and we need beer for the exam. The BJCP strongly recommends using homebrew whenever possible, and this is a great way to get rid of that beer you’re about to dump because it turned out so bad! The following requirements apply:
  • It must credibly be a BJCP classic style 1 through 26 (no fruit or spices unless intrinsic to the style)
  • I need ~64 oz of the same kind of beer … 60 oz minimum = (12 examinees + 3 proctors) x 4 oz/person
  • Good, average, and really bad beers are welcome!
  • I’ll need to know what style it is, what you expect it to score (13-50), how old it is, and if it has any notable flaws (e.g. buttery or phenolic)
  • If you have a beer you’d like to share, please email Nick at [email protected]. If your beer is used for the exam, I’ll buy you a local crowler!
Click https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88149406336… to start or join a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

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

  • Nathan Steigman won Best Of Show and a 1st place medal in the Specialty Mead category at the FOAM Cup in Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Nathan Steigman received first for berry dry and 3rd for historical at Mazer Cup
  • Adam Bystrom got 1st in fruit and spice dry and 2nd for cyser at Mazer Cup
  • Paul S Johnson received 3rd for SHV sweet at Mazer Cup
  • Josh Mahoney received third in braggot at Mazer Cup
  • The club received second place in the club competition at Mazer Cup
  • Kevin Meintsma won best in show for mead/cider at Hoppy Halloween
  • Al Boyce won best Halloween Beer at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second and third for Traditional Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won first for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won third for Cider and Perry at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won Best in Show – Mead at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won third in Bitters at Minnesota Mashout
  • Soren Jensen won first in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won second in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Dave Matson won third in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Scott Haraldson won first in “Fruitsen and Spicen” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won first in “Smoked, wooded, weizened, and specialty” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in Mead – Traditional at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won first in “Mead – Pyser Cyment” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won third in “Mead – CarMelo’s Mels’ at Minnesota Mashout
  • Kevin Meintsma won first in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Anthony Davis won third in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Al Boyce won third in “Mead – Fruit does not go here” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in “Mead – Wilford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won second in “Mead – Wildford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won third in historic and alternative ferment beer at Music City Brew Off

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:

  • 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

The Snow won’t hold back the Medals and Events!

November 14, 2021
Reminder: Final Friday Social November 19, 2021

Free for all! Have a question about making beer, want to share some thoughts that have been bothering you, or just want to have some fun with fellow homebrewers? Come join and socialize with other homebrewers of the club!

Beer Casting Call
Do you have homebrew, especially REALLY BAD homebrew, you’re willing to share? There is a BJCP tasting exam on December 11 and we need beer for the exam. The BJCP strongly recommends using homebrew whenever possible, and this is a great way to get rid of that beer you’re about to dump because it turned out so bad! The following requirements apply:
  • It must credibly be a BJCP classic style 1 through 26 (no fruit or spices unless intrinsic to the style)
  • I need ~64 oz of the same kind of beer … 60 oz minimum = (12 examinees + 3 proctors) x 4 oz/person
  • Good, average, and really bad beers are welcome!
  • I’ll need to know what style it is, what you expect it to score (13-50), how old it is, and if it has any notable flaws (e.g. buttery or phenolic)
  • If you have a beer you’d like to share, please email Nick at [email protected]. If your beer is used for the exam, I’ll buy you a local crowler!
Click https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88149406336… to start or join a scheduled Zoom meeting.
MHBA Final Friday Social with Boom Island Brewing Recap
Thank you Jesse and Boom Island Brewing Company for joining the Final Friday Social and discussing some amazing brews (which was your favorite?) and sharing some Belgian brewing (and more) knowledge with those that attended.
MHBA Club Cider Buy Recap

It was great seeing everybody yesterday for the Learn to Brew / Cider Buy! Lots of new and old faces, along with some fantastic cider, egg bake, and of course home brew. Thank you Barley Johns for hosting and of course Pine Tree Orchards for some lovely cider. What are you doing with your share?

MHBA Back Channel Brewing Trip Recap
Thanks Back Channel Brewing for hosting the MN Homebrewers Association for a great time. A lot of stories and knowledge shared with the homebrewers, in addition to having some fantastic beers! If you weren’t able to make it out with the club, take a trip and visit Josh, Marc, and the amazing crew at the brewery. And look forward to more details being released about the Holiday Party in January!
MHBA Holiday Party Scheduled for January 8th at Forgotten Star Brewing

More details to be added later, but hold the date for the annual holiday party! Event details will be posted on Facebook as well: https://fb.me/e/2mYBFUity.

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

  • Nathan Steigman received first for berry dry and 3rd for historical at Mazer Cup
  • Adam Bystrom got 1st in fruit and spice dry and 2nd for cyser at Mazer Cup
  • Paul S Johnson received 3rd for SHV sweet at Mazer Cup
  • Josh Mahoney received third in braggot at Mazer Cup
  • The club received second place in the club competition at Mazer Cup
  • Kevin Meintsma won best in show for mead/cider at Hoppy Halloween
  • Al Boyce won best Halloween Beer at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second and third for Traditional Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won first for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Nathan Steigman won second for Spice and Specialty Mead at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won third for Cider and Perry at Hoppy Halloween
  • Kevin Meintsma won Best in Show – Mead at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won third in Bitters at Minnesota Mashout
  • Soren Jensen won first in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won second in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Dave Matson won third in “Belgians – non-churchy” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Scott Haraldson won first in “Fruitsen and Spicen” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Erik Nelson won first in “Smoked, wooded, weizened, and specialty” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in Mead – Traditional at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won first in “Mead – Pyser Cyment” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Adam Bystrom won third in “Mead – CarMelo’s Mels’ at Minnesota Mashout
  • Kevin Meintsma won first in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Anthony Davis won third in “Mead – Fruit goes here” at Minnesota Mashout”
  • Al Boyce won third in “Mead – Fruit does not go here” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Josh Mahoney won first in “Mead – Wilford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won second in “Mead – Wildford’s bain” at Minnesota Mashout
  • Nathan Steigman won third in historic and alternative ferment beer at Music City Brew Off

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:

  • 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

Reminder: MHBA Learn To Brew / Club Cider Buy Nov 6!

October 30, 2021
Don’t forget about the MHBA Learn to Brew / Club Cider Buy  on November 6th
Join the Minnesota Home Brewers Association for our annual cider distribution and homebrew demonstrations at Barley John’s Brewpub. All MHBA club members are encouraged to BRING A FRIEND who might want to Learn to Brew to this event. This is a FREE event, open to anyone who is interested.
Of course, a big part of your yearly event is the purchase and distribution of fresh pressed cider from Pine Tree Orchards that you can use for your hard ciders, cysers and fruit beers. All MHBA members in good standing are able to purchase cider here: https://mnbrewers.com/cider-payment/
Barley John’s will be making their annual “Cider-Buy Eggbake”. It’s so delicious, do yourself a favor and buy yourself a couple of pieces and wash it down with a pint of Barley John’s beer and support our wonderful hosts!
Read More