The Brewsletter
August 2010
The Official Newsletter of the Hampton Roads Brewing & Tasting Society (HRB&TS)
Presidential Proclamations– C. J., aka. Chris Jones
Well, tomorrow is August first, too weird, where has our summer gone. Whoosh, at 186,000 miles per second, behind us, or around us in a big loop of string, depending on which theory you adhere to. Seems like just the other day I was chillin’ outdoors, 40 degrees Fahrenheit, sipping an imperial stout. Today, roasting like an ear of corn on the grill, gasping, yes, gasping, for a light, but still hoppy, pale ale.
Many of us have traveled hither and yon, searching for fine beverages across the four corners of the world or your neighborhood (as soon as we find some time, Diane and I will let you know about our sourjourn to Bamberg, Germany). J.L. and Patty Lyon recently discovered Kelly’s Gingernut Pub in Cape Charles, VA, a restaurant on the Eastern Shore that blesses visitors with a collection of Rochefort, St. Bernardus, and Watou Belgian ales. Amazing, in Cape Charles! We will arrange for an Eastern Shore Excursion after the tourist season is over, and hopefully can find an inexpensive hotel hear this pub so we can all enjoy multiple tastes of Trappists and tripels without the need to immediately drive home. More info to follow … eventually.
Some of you fine beer travelers may be musically inclined, and may bring a guitar, bass, or bag of harps with you on your flight. This represents all sorts of risks to your instrument, baggage handlers being periodically in a hurry and all that. A guitarist named Dave Carroll had an unfortunate experience flying on United Airlines, and after getting sided by UA, posted a video detailing his experience on You Tube. If you’d like to watch some sweet revenge for a sat-on six-string, go here (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=5YGc4zOqozo).
We just had our sour beer judging this week, a very mouth-puckering event; five entrants, each more sour than the next, in a veritable sour-slapdown, with four of the five beers placing in our contest; see Eric’s article for more news on that front.
We have our next Club meeting in a handful of days in a backyard that has a pool in it; as is our custom, that pretty much guarantees torrential rain, probably of Biblical proportions, so bring some swimming attire, and a May West pfd, just in case.
Our Club picnic is on schedule for Saturday, August 28, at 1400, at the home of Erin (or Ern, depending on your pronunciation preferences) and Phil. Again, another house with a pool, so see the previous paragraph for clothing options. The picnic is a “bring a dish to share” event, so, like, bring one, and of course, bring homebrew. Remember, a five-gallon or more stash of homebrew will get you three points in the HRBTS Cup contest.
See you in a few days!
Meeting Location – Diane Catanzaro
Get set to get wet at the August 4 meeting of the HRB&TS....you can wet your whistle on some amazing sour beers such as Berliner Weisse, traditional lambic, gueuze, Flanders Red and Oude Brun styles, and you can wet your Birdwells splashing in Ron and Jeanine Jones' great in-ground swimming pool. Whether you choose to splash with the big noodle in the pool or are a landlubber who watches from the deck, there will be good fun and fellowship as we taste sour beers and whatever other homebrews and commercial beers HRB&TS members bring to share and sample.
Of course all types of homebrew and commercial beers are welcome. After several sour beers you may crave a dose of hops. And vice versa. Those who don't have homebrew, please bring a commercial beer that you'd like to turn folks on to.
The meeting will commence at 7:00 pm. Please bring an extra brew to bestow on our hospitable hosts, Ron and Jeannine. We are fortunate indeed to have such a great location for our August meeting! Bring a towel and swimsuit if you want to take a dip in the pool. As usual at our summer meetings the club will provide fixins for dinner. A side dish or munchie to share is nice if you are so inclined.
Competition Corner – Eric Gold
The August competition found us back in Norfolk at CJ and Diane's abode to spend some time savoring sour beers. Thankfully, I can report that the entrants really surprised me with some really nice versions of several different styles. I drank a lot of lambic based beers while in Belgium this summer and it's very encouraging to know that some of our club members are making such great sours! First place went to CJ and Diane with their Cherry lambic. Second place also went to CJ and Diane for their straight lambic. Third place was a tie between JPs Berliner Weiss and Tom's Cherry lambic.
Thanks again to CJ and Diane for having us at the last minute; If anyone else is interested in hosting a future competition, remember we bring the beer!
Updated Brewing points are listed below!
|
2010 HRBTS CUP STANDINGS |
|
|
Name of Brewer |
Points Accumulated |
|
Chris Jones & Diane Catanzaro |
15 |
|
JP Messier |
13 |
|
Eric Gold |
10 |
|
Tom Byrnes |
9 |
|
Mark Johnson |
3 |
|
This could easily be you …… |
If you get brewing ……. |
Watch out for the fruitbeers, we'll be tasting them later this month for the September competition. Stay tuned!
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 2010/2011.
|
2010 HRB&TS CUP BREWING SCHEDULE |
|||
|
Month |
Style |
Category/Sub |
AHA Event - Deadline |
|
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 |
|
|
2010 HRB&TS CUP BREWING SCHEDULE |
|||
|
Month |
Style |
Category/Sub |
AHA Event - Deadline |
|
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 |
August Winners:
1st Place – HRBTS August 2010, Cherry Lambic, Brewer: Chris Jones & Diane Catanzaro
2nd Place - HRBTS August 2010, Straight Lambic, Brewer: Chris Jones & Diane Catanzaro
3rd Place – “tie” HRBTS August 2010, Berliner Weiss, Brewer: JP Messier
3rd Place – “tie” HRBTS August 2010, Cherry Lambic, Brewer: Tom Byrnes
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.