The Brewsletter

April 2010

 

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

www.hrbts.org

 

President’s Musings – C. J., aka. Chris Jones

 

April, when all sorts of things happen.  Pollen returns for its annual spring visit to Tidewater, toads make their annual pilgrimage to our goldfish pond for what looks to be indiscriminate group sex, the Eagles trade Donovan McNabb to the Redskins, and beer lovers move from dark imperial stouts to lighter, but still flavorful beers.  Are hops a good thing during the warmer weather months?  Heck yes.   Can the Redskins win with McNabb?  Heck yes.  Should toads try to develop more lasting relationships before they dive into the pool?  Well, heck yes doesn’t work all of the time.

 

Our last contest was to determine the best extract brewed beers in our club (more info on that elsewhere), and that was a classic competition.  We have better brewers now than in years past, and an open category such as “extracts” brings out the best in a lot of brewers.

 

Our next meeting is at St. George Brewing in Hampton on Wednesday, and that ought to be fun (more info on that elsewhere in this newsletter).  Remember, Hampton is not in California, its just 30 minutes from anywhere in Hampton Roads.  Prior to heading to Hampton, consider heading to Ghent’s Colley Cantina at 5:00 PM for the annual visit of the Stone rep.  The Cantina is having a “keep the glass” event from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, so you could, if motivated, move from your office to the Cantina to St. George, and make an evening of fine beverages.  I’m just saying.

 

So come on, grab your coolers, and head to Hampton on Wednesday!

 

C.J,   President HRB&TS

 

Meeting Location – Diane Catanzaro

 

Tis April and a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of Spring lagers, so our April 7st meeting will be at the St. George Brewing Company in Hampton.  Which reminds me, wasn't it a year ago this meeting that certain people who didn't both necessarily need a cat discovered George, the nice kitty who now is the lord of his own loft in the RV? I'm just sayin'. Happy anniversary George!


Think globally, but be like George and drink locally.…every time that you pick up a St. George six-pack or two at your local supermarket or beer store, or order a St. George beer at a local restaurant, or let the cat play in your empty dragon back you are helping to support our regional craft brewery and reduce your beer drinking carbon footprint. Thus, you can save the planet by drinking St. George. See how easy it is to be a social activist simply by drinking beer! When you visit a restaurant, ask if they have any St. George or Old Richmond beers, or Tuppers. Even if they say no/wha?/duh, you are letting them know there is customer demand for the award-winning beers from our oldest local craft brewery! And, in case there is any doubt as to my feelings about recycling you may discover this article looks suspiciously like last years in some spots.

 

Bring homebrew but no commercial beers, please. The club will provide pizza, and you are welcome to bring munchies or side dishes, as long as we clean up our mess at the end of the meeting. The meeting is at 7:30; feel free to show up any time after 7 pm.

 

This meeting is for HRB&TS members, those who have come to at least one meeting in the past, and potential new members. In other words don’t invite your frat brothers or random people with the idea that this is some sort of keg night. Your HRB&TS membership in good standing (have you paid your dues?) will enable you to slip past the fire-breathing dragon at the door and enjoy the tasty hospitality of our slayin’ local craft brewery!! (http://www.stgeorgebrewingco.com).

 

Directions to 204 Challenger Way, Hampton. (Phone 865-BEER)

 

From Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and other points SOUTH of Hampton,VA:

From Newport News and other points NORTH of Hampton,VA:

From Chesapeake:

From Suffolk & such:

March Road Trip Recap- Outer Banks Brewing Station

 

A group of 11 of us strolled down to the OBX for an outing to check out the Outer Banks Brewing Station on March 20th.  Although we got off to a slow start, we had a nice tour from Eric Reece (co-owner of the Brewing Station) and got to learn about their unique philosophy on brewing (they brew one beer year round and are also very cyclical because of the beach season). We were also schooled a little about the beach politics and the struggles they have gone through to grow and develop as a brewery and restaurant. 

 

After the tour, we got cleaned up and headed out to check out a couple of other bars.   We made a stop by the Lucky 12 Tavern (MP 12) on the beach road and were greeted with New Belgium Mighty Arrow, Fat Tire, as well as Bells Two Hearted.  Afterwards, we strolled back to the Red Drum Taphouse (MP10) and enjoyed Avery Ellie's Brown, Stone's IPA, and even more Two Hearted.  We finished off the night back at the hotel sampling some of the beers purchased at the Brewing Station and also at Chips Wine and Beer (MP 6).  If you make it down to the beach this summer, I highly recommend checking out all of these places;  They get a lot of great beer in NC that is not distributed here in Virginia.

 

 

 

Competition Corner – Eric Gold

 

 

Holy Cow did we have a competition this month! There were a total of 16 extract entries covering at least 11 different styles.   Erin and Phil hosted the superbowl of competitions this month and while Chef Phil busily prepared freshly tossed pizzas, I racked my brain over the entries and finally decided on splitting the judges into two groups. CJ helped me divide the entries so that no judge tasted their own beer and Diane C., Paul Hutchings, and Shaun Inman made up group one.  The judges for group two were my friend Ryan Anderson, Doug Boyd, and a Chef friend of Phil's Joe Wirtorek.  All of the beers were rated "Good and Very Good" however two beers stood out for the judges and were given an Excellent rating.  Tom Byrnes took 1st place with his phenominal English Barleywine and a score of 39.3.  Amazingly, I took 2nd and 3rd place with my American Amber (38) and the Russian Imperial Stout (37.6).  I look forward to sharing all of these beers at our next meeting!   After the judging we sampled some of Chef Joe's beers and I was blown away with his Chili beer and the depth of flavor it had.  Big thanks again to Erin and Phil for hosting and to all of the judges and entrants. 

 

 

 

Updated Brewing points are listed below!  

 

 

2010 HRBTS CUP STANDINGS

Name of Brewer

Points Accumulated

Eric Gold

7

Tom Byrnes

6

Chris Jones/ Diane Cantanzaro

4

JP Messier

4

Mark Johnson

3

This could easily be you ……

If you get brewing …….

 

 

 

Next up, the May competition covers Gluten free Beers. I look forward to seeing the creativity of the entries. The competition will be held on Thursday April 22nd@ 7:30pm.  Remember to print the competition label from the website, and provide 1 22oz bottle, or 2 12oz bottles for the competition.

 

IT'S STILL NOT TOO LATE to reserve the month matching one of your favorite styles! If you are willing to host a monthly judging competition, please email me at egold@vt.edu to reserve your month.  We bring beer to your house :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below you will find our brewing schedule for 2010.

 

2010 HRB&TS CUP BREWING SCHEDULE

Month

Style

Category/Sub

AHA Event - Deadline

 

 

 

 

May 2010

(April 22) Date Change

 

Gluten free Beer

ANY base style

OR 23

 

June 2010

(May 19)

 

Wheat

 

15A/B/16A

 

July 2010

(June 23)

 

Mead

 

24,25,26

 

August 2010

August 2010

(July 21)

 

Sour

 

17

 

Sept/Oct 2010

September 2010

(Aug 18)

 

Fruit

 

20

 

October 2010

(Sept. 22)

 

Strong Ale

 

19

 

Nov/Dec 2010

November 2010

(Oct. 20)

 

Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale Clone

 

10 A

 

 

December 2010

(Nov 17 )

 

Christmas Winter Spiced Beer

 

21B

 

 

January 2011

(Dec 22)

 

Imperial Stout

 

13F

 

 

February 2011

(Jan 19)

 

Belgian and French Ale

 

16 A-D

 

 

March 2011

(Feb 16)

 

Bock

 

5

 

March/April 2011

 

April Winners:

1st Place – HRBTS Cup April 2010, English Barleywine       Brewer: Tom Byrnes

 

2nd Place – HRBTS Cup April 2010, American Amber         Brewer: Eric Gold

3rd Place – HRBTS Cup April 2010, Russian Imperial Stout   Brewer: Eric Gold

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.