The Brewsletter

June 2009

 

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The Official Newsletter of the Hampton Roads Brewing & Tasting Society (HRB&TS)

www.hrbts.org

 

President’s Podium – Jonna Walker

 

Dear HRB&TS members,

Sorry my message did not get into to news letter.  The "Cox" man just left and had to replace the line from the top of the pole to where it goes underground to my house.  There must have been terrorist trying to sabotage my computer.  My message was sitting in the "outbox" on Outlook since Friday.  Now it is gone, but not to Terri, our editor.  It is just gone and I am sure it was the best message ever, but I can't remember what I wrote!!!

So here is a second try (I am not happy!):

 

I heard that the last meeting got rained on, so I will contact my weather gurus and try to take care of that for this week.  Rob & Jodi said they still had a great gathering in their garage, there were wonderful brews with good food and great friends to share it all with.  Thank you Rob & Jodi for hosting the May meeting again this year.

 

Will and I have been traveling to Lithuania, that is why we were not at the meeting (located just across the lake from us!)  We went to see those lovely Lithuanian girls you all got to meet last summer at several meetings.  Lithuania is known to have several very good beers and meads.  Every evening we sampled many and went to a few breweries.  Will is planning to write an article about that for our next newsletter. 

 

Our club was invited to join BARF for a picnic down in Moyock for Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.  BARF has invited us to other events, such as the Pub Crawl in Richmond, which was a blast.  I was sorry to hear no one from our club made it to their picnic.  I understand you missed some really good beers!  Hopefully we will be able to get together for future activities. Drinking beer with other people who like good beer is a good thing!

 

This past weekend, when I thought my message was being sent to Terri, I was in Washington, D.C. at (SAVOR): An American Craft Beer & Food Experience.  This is such a wonderful beer event, the 60 some brewers, such as Sam from Dogfish and Carole from Stoudts are there pouring their brews and telling you about them. Andy from  St. George's skipped out on the event, but their beer was there.  Marty Jones was there with his wife Lisa representing Oskar Blues.  Reyes Beverage Group hosted the event, partnered by Dogfish and Boston Beer Co.  Others were Ommegang, New Belgium, Rogue Ales, Saranac, Sierra Nevada and the Brooklyn Brewery (except Garrett Oliver was in Italy this year, I missed seeing him!) Oh and the oyster bar, I almost forgot to mention that!! The Choptank Oyster Company provided the largest, freshest, cleanest oysters since Lynnhaven was in it's heyday (before our time).  Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board hosted the Cheese table, but it was Anchor Brewing Co and Maytag Dairy Farms who provided all the Maytag Blue Cheese. Try that with an Imperial or double IPA, I had it with the Black Butte Brown Porter by Deschutes and Dogfish's Burton Baton Oak Aged imperial IPA.  Joining Will & I at this event, representing HRB&TS were Tom Byrnes, Tim & Mini Hobbs, Rob & Jodi Sisson.  Will & I attended a private tasting salon  "Rocky Mountain Sigh-Uncanny Beer (and food) from Colorado" presented by Marty Jones.  Rob & Jodi attended "Paradox or Parallel" the Curious Matter of Craft Beer & Chocolate presented by Hugh Sisson of Clipper City. 

 

At our next meeting, this Wed, I want people to come with beer and ideas for HRB&TS' summer picnic.  We would like it near a pool, beach, river, lake, hot tub, or other swimming hole!  It would have to be acceptable for us to drink beer at this location (public beaches prohibit this).  Camp grounds or Military installations may or may not allow this, if you have an idea of such a place, please call and check out whether or not we would be welcome, it would be great to have this type of info before Wed night.  Overnight camping is desirable, so no one has to drink and drive, but we can vote on all this at the meeting.  Bring ideas and solutions on Wed, or email them to me prior to Wed night's meeting.

 

Again, I am sorry about the cable problem and the late arrival of this message.

Jonna Walker

President HRB&TS

 

Meeting Location – Diane Catanzaro

 

The June 3 meeting of the HRB&TS will be at the Hampton home of Mike and Terri Connell. A relaxing setting on the banks of the Indian river, some great homebrew, and likeminded beer lovers talking smack….sounds like a good way to enjoy this beautiful June weather! Dress for outdoor weather as the meeting is in the backyard.

 

Last year as I recall we met some cute Lithuanian and Russian girls at our June meeting at Mike and Terri’s…guests of Will and Jonna. There was some Lithuanian mead poured…ahhhh!!!!! That was a very tasty cultural exchange. Will and Jonna have recently returned from visiting Lithuania so I am sure there will be some updates about our Lithuanian friends.

 

The meeting starts at 7 pm and there will be some type of grilling food and condiments provided by the club. Side dishes or munchies are also greeted with open arms (and mouths). Remember that you can bring commercial beers as well as homebrew to summer backyard-meetings.  It would be nice of you to pop an extra homebrew in the cooler for Mike and Terri….we really appreciate your hosting the HRB&TS!

 

 

Directions: it’s closer than you think!  Only about 10 minutes from either HRBT or MMBT.

 

From Southside (Norfolk, Va Beach):
 

 

Competition Corner – Tom Byrnes

 

Our last judging was like the shot heard round the world. If you listen very carefully you can still hear the celebration in Currituck. Yes the WIT judging marked the resurgence of the king.  Our 5 judges: Tina, Mark, Mike C, Doug, and CJ were treated to the marriage of citrus, wheat malt and spices, commonly known as the Belgian Wit. They worked well together and reached consensus score with no difficulty.  Five brewers competed for top honors and when the yeast cleared only two were left standing. Their scores ranged from 24.6 to 31.5.  After a prolonged dry spell, JP emerged as the as the winner taking first place (31.5) and second place (30). Gus placed third with a 29.5. Brewing points are listed below.

 

 

 

 

Brewing points are listed below:

 

2009 HRBTS CUP STANDINGS

Name of Brewer

Points Accumulated

Tom Byrnes

11

Doug Boyd

 8

JP Messier

 8

Jason Kuller

 5

Gus Gustafson

4

This could easily be you….

…if you get brewing!

 

In case you’re reading this and saying the year is half gone and it’s too late to enter, remember one brewer went from last to a tie for 2nd in one judging.  Next time this could be you. This contest is starting to shape up into a close race, so join in on the fun and brew, brew, brew!!! The next competition will be Mead will be held on June 18@ 7:30.  The location will be determined later.  Mead is a HRBTS favorite so we should have many entries.

 

 Below you will find our brewing schedule for 2009. I think you will find something for every type of brewer. New brewers can jump in immediately with the extract competition while beers near the end may require extensive aging.

 

2009 HRB&TS CUP BREWING SCHEDULE

Month

Style

Category/Sub

AHA Event - Deadline

July

(June 18)

 

Mead

 

24, 25, 26 A,C

 

August

(July 23)

 

Fruit Beer

 

20

 

September

(August 20)

Unique Spice/herb in aroma and flavor

Loosely based on 21 A, B

 

October

(Sept 24)

 

Saison

 

16C

 

November

(Oct 22)

 

Belgian Strong

 

18 A-E

 

Nov/Dec 09

December

(Nov 19)

 

Smoked Porter

22B with base style in 12

 

2010 HRB&TS CUP BREWING SCHEDULE

Month

Style

Category/Sub

AHA Event - Deadline

January 2010

(December 17)

 

English Brown Ale

 

11 A,B,C

 

February 16,  2010

February 2010

(Jan 21)

 

American Ales

 

10 A,B

 

March/April 2010

March 2010

(Feb 18)

 

Braggot

 

26B

 

 

 

While not related to the competition, I wanted to acknowledge that Kasey Reuter brewed his first beer last weekend with Imperial Pale ale.  We are all waiting to taste this fine beer which features 5 ounces of American hops and basement fermented in the heart of Ghent. If Kasey’s beers are as creative as his homemade terracotta smoker, we are all in store for some fine beers in the future. Welcome to the brewing side of the club Kasey we are glad to have you!!!

 

We are looking for members who would be willing to host a judging at their home. Judging will be held on Thursday’s two weeks before each HRBTS regular meeting.  The dates will be: June 18 July 23 Aug 20 Sept 24 Oct 22 Nov 19 and Dec 17 (3 weeks prior due to Christmas).

 

If you are willing to host please email me at tombyrnes@verizon.net to reserve your month.

 

Beer Recipes

 

1st Place –– Belgian Wit - HRBTS Cup May 2009, Brewer: JP Messier

Wit_Way_Is_Up_Beerfest_2009

a ProMash Recipe Report

BJCP Style and Style Guidelines

16-A Belgian & French Ale, Witbier

Min OG:

1.044

Max OG:

1.052

  

Min IBU:

10

Max IBU:

20

  

Min Clr:

2

Max Clr:

4

 Color in SRM, Lovibond

 

Recipe Specifics

 

Batch Size (Gal):

5.00

Wort Size (Gal):

5.00

Total Extract (Lbs):

6.50

  

  

Anticipated OG:

1.047

Plato:

11.71

Anticipated SRM:

4.9

    

  

Anticipated IBU:

22.9

  

  

Wort Boil Time:

60

 Minutes

  

 

Pre-Boil Amounts

 

Evaporation Rate:

15.00

 Percent Per Hour

  

Pre-Boil Wort Size:

5.88

 Gal

  

Pre-Boil Gravity:

1.040

 SG

10.02 Plato

 

Formulas Used

Brewhouse Efficiency and Predicted Gravity based on Method #1, Potential Used.
Final Gravity Calculation Based on Points.
Hard Value of Sucrose applied. Value for recipe: 46.2100 ppppg
% Yield Type used in Gravity Prediction: Fine Grind Dry Basis.

Color Formula Used: Morey
Hop IBU Formula Used: Rager

Additional Utilization Used For Plug Hops: 2 %
Additional Utilization Used For Pellet Hops: 10 %

Grain/Extract/Sugar

 

%

Amount

Name

Origin

Potential

SRM

30.8

2.00 lbs. 

Alexander LME - Pale

America

1.037

2

61.5

4.00 lbs. 

Alexander LME - Wheat

America

1.037

4

3.8

0.25 lbs. 

Aromatic Malt

Belgium

1.036

25

3.8

0.25 lbs. 

Wheat Malt

America

1.038

2


Potential represented as SG per pound per gallon.

Hops

 

Amount

Name

Form

Alpha

IBU

Boil Time

0.75 oz. 

Willamette

Pellet

5.00

18.5

60 min

0.50 oz. 

Willamette

Pellet

5.00

3.3

15 min

0.25 oz. 

Cascade

Pellet

5.75

1.2

1 min

 

Extras

 

Amount

Name

Type

Time

0.75 Oz 

Bitter Orange Peel

Spice

15 Min.(boil)

1.00 Oz 

Corriander Seed

Spice

5 Min.(boil)

0.50 Oz 

Bitter Orange Peel

Spice

1 Min.(boil)

1.00 Oz 

Corriander Seed

Spice

1 Min.(boil)

 

Yeast

White Labs WLP400 Belgian Wit Ale

Water Profile

 

Profile:

  

Profile known for:

  

Calcium(Ca):

0.0 ppm

Magnesium(Mg):

0.0 ppm

Sodium(Na):

0.0 ppm

Sulfate(SO4):

0.0 ppm

Chloride(Cl):

0.0 ppm

biCarbonate(HCO3):

0.0 ppm

pH:

0.00

 

 

2nd Place – Belgian Wit – HRBTS Cup May 2009, Brewer: JP Messier

**** Not Available****

3rd Place – Belgian Wit - HRBTS Cup May 2009, Brewer: Gus Gustafason

***Not Available***

 

 

 

 Previous Beer Winners

 

3rd Place – Black IPA - HRBTS Cup April 2009, Brewer:  JP Messier

3rd_Place_HRBTS_April_2009_Black_IPA

 

Anticipated OG:

1.076

Plato:

18.40

Anticipated SRM:

46.3

    

  

Anticipated IBU:

231.5

  

  

 

Grain/Extract/Sugar

 

 

%

Amount

Name

Origin

Potential

SRM

25.0

3.00 lbs. 

Pilsner LME

  

1.030

0

50.0

6.00 lbs. 

Munich LME

1.036

21

8.3

1.00 lbs. 

Chocolate Malt

America

1.029

350

4.2

0.50 lbs. 

Crystal 40L

America

1.034

40

4.2

0.50 lbs. 

Carafa III

America

1.030

500

4.2

0.50 lbs. 

Vienna Malt

America

1.035

4

4.2

0.50 lbs. 

Wheat Malt

Germany

1.039

2

 


Hops

 

 

Amount

Name

Form

Alpha

IBU

Boil Time

1.00 oz. 

Warrior

Pellet

16.00

69.8

60 min

1.00 oz. 

Northern Brewer

Pellet

9.00

13.2

20 min

1.00 oz. 

Simcoe

Pellet

13.00

50.8

45 min

1.00 oz. 

Chinook

Pellet

13.00

56.7

60 min

1.00 oz. 

Columbus

Pellet

15.00

33.4

30 min

1.00 oz. 

Centennial

Pellet

10.50

7.6

3 min

1.00 oz. 

Centennial

Pellet

10.50

0.0

0 min

1.00 oz. 

Simcoe

Pellet

13.00

0.0

0 min

 

Yeast

 

 

White Labs WLP060 American Ale Yeast Blend
Notes

 

 

1 ounce each of Columbus, Centennial, and Simcoe in Secondary

 

About the HRB&TS

The Hampton Roads Brewing and Tasting Society is dedicated to promoting the enjoyment of home brewing.  The annual dues are $20 per individual and $25 per family.  Members are encouraged to support the reasonable enjoyment of beer and observe the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Federal government, and the Golden Rule.  Persons attending HRB&TS meetings and events are solely liable for actions attendant to their participation.   HRB&TS maintains a NO SMOKING policy during all meetings so that members may better enjoy fine beers.  Visit the HRB&TS online at www.hrbts.org.