Spring Home Review Recap and Upcoming Events

April 19, 2021

As the season changes, so does most of our brewing tendencies. As the weather warms up and we can see some sun / warmth on the horizon, I know I am starting to look at some of the lighter styles that go well after a day outside. After finishing up an oak Dubbel, I am now planning on some lighter, refreshing beers that can be enjoyed after spending the day getting the yard ready for the greener days ahead. Potentially a Kolsch, maybe a Cream Ale, or perhaps an American Wheat Ale – any favorite summer beers folks are planning?

April Final Friday Social Reminder

Urban Growler founder and head brewer Deb Loch will join the Minnesota Home Brewers Association for our April Final Friday Social. In addition to seeing everyone and getting a chance to talk about what we’re all brewing, Deb has generously offered to provide a guided tasting of the following beers:
  1. Northwest Session IPA – a NW-style IPA brewed to meet our refined Minnesota palates. Can you guess how they managed such a feat? (Wrong answers only.) This beer is available in cans.
  2. Brut IPA. For every action there is a reaction. This style was a refreshing but brief reaction to the rise of NEIPA. Deb will offer advice on brewing this style. This beer is available in crowlers at the brewery.
Please consider buying your beer (and Wisconsin-style fish fry! Trust me, it’ll make you nostalgic for going to a supper club with your Opa in the best way possible) right from the brewery to thank Urban Growler for joining us, and supporting a brewery owned by some rad women. I’ll probably be warming up for the evening with a Cowbell Cream Ale, because it is a mighty fine example of the style.
If you can’t make it to the brewery, here is a handy-dandy map of where to find Urban Growler beer:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer…
ALL are welcome. This event will be on Zoom because #stillapandemic. Here’s the meeting information:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99030437549…
Meeting ID: 990 3043 7549
Passcode: 738344

MHBA Spring Home Brew Review Recap

Another Home Brew Review is in the books! On Saturday April 17th some of the best home brewers in Minnesota came together to share, sample, and learn about the beers / meads / ciders that everyone has been making at Forgotten Star Brewing. With both veteran MHBA and new joiners coming together under one tent, everyone voted on their favorites of the afternoon.

The People’s Choice Winners were:

  • Beer: Kevin Meintsma’s English Barleywine
  • Mead / Cider: Kevin Meintsma’s Black Currant Barrel Aged Mead

Now Introducing, Ask the MHBA Hive Mind!

The hive mind of the Minnesota Home Brewers Association has come together to offer their collective expertise to you! Any and every question is welcome, from what temperature should I ferment my Tripel at to what schedule of staggered nutrient additions should I use in my Traditional Mead.

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 joined The Mean House podcast to discuss his dedication and willingness to fail only to go back through the notes and do it again differently, which creates some of the best tasting homemade meads. Give it a listen here!

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:

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