July 2010
The Official Newsletter of the Hampton Roads Brewing & Tasting Society (HRB&TS)
President’s Proclamations – Chris “CJ” Jones
Well it has been a beer-rific summer so far. Out of town trips, out of the country trips and multiple trips to our basement to sample the beer stash. Beer retailers and I have reached an understanding –they’ll keep me in beer if I keep them in money.
Keep three dates in mind: Tuesday, July 6 = mead judging at Tina and Kasey’s house, right across the street from our place; Wednesday, July 7 = monthly meeting at Erin and Phil’s place in Va. Beach; and Saturday, August 21 = HRBTS summer picnic, at Erin and Phil’s.
Just got back from Belgium, accompanied by many fellow HRBTSers, and experienced a beer-rich trip. We visited around six to eight breweries, including Westvleteren on a bicycle and Westmalle via van, three or four world-class beer bars for world-class beers, and JL and I played music on the streets of Bruges in the wee-wee hours of the morning. Diane and I followed that up with a side trip to Bamberg, Germany where we toured the Schlenkerla brewery, the premiere smoked beer brewer in Bamberg, drank many a smoked beer, and enjoyed the bier garden experience during the World Cup.
See you in a few days and we’ll regale you with the details!
The MEADing Location by Diane Catanzaro
As we celebrate the U. S. of A. on a long Fourth of July weekend, HRB&TS members can extend that patriotic feeling by declaring our independence from the macro lagers that have no doubt graced a few Fourth of July celebrations. Help this patriotic cause by joining the HRB&TS meeting this Wednesday, July 7, at the Virginia Beach home of Erin and Phil. Start time is 7 pm.
To the delight of many independent thinkers, I mean drinkers; this is the club's annual MEAD meeting. The honeywine divine will be celebrated in its myriad forms....dry, sweet, sparkling, petillant, fruited, spiced, and just plain nice. All meads do not taste the same, just as all beers don't taste like a pilsner. So come and experience the mead brewing prowess of HRB&TS members who dare to ferment honey and make what is believed to be the most ancient alcoholic beverage on earth.
Of course, commercial craft beers and homebrews of any kind are also welcomed and encouraged. When loading up the cooler, an extra homebrew, mead, or tasty craft beer as a ‘host and hostess’ gift for Erin and Phil is appreciated!
AS IF all this creative meadery wasn't enough, there is more to look forward to. Erin and Phil have a jammin in-ground swimming pool; wasn't there a section of Beowulf where they drank mead and then played 'Marco Polo'? Bring or wear your swimsuit (and a towel) to enjoy a dip in the pool. The forecast is hot but you will be cool as you sip a mead neck-deep in the refreshing pool.
There will be burgers and veggie burgers for grillin, and who knows what other edible surprises may be in store? A side dish or munchies to share is welcomed, and the club will provide paper plates, condiments, and plastic cups.
(Also note the club judging meeting for mead is this Tuesday night, July 6, at Kasey and Tina's in Ghent. All members are welcome. See last week's email from Tom Byrnes or contact meetings@hrbts.org for directions/details).
You still have a couple of weeks to fly to Belgium for their Independence Day on July 21. There will be a giant karaoke party in the Markt in Brugge. Here are a few photos taken when nine of your fellow HRB&TS-ers took a little jaunt over recently, to whet your appetite for a visit to beautiful Belgium.
Competition Corner:
The mead competition will be held tomorrow night July 6 at the home of Kasey and Tina Reuter located at 715W Princess Anne Road in the Ghent section of Norfolk. Look for the house with the red door. Judging time will be 7:30 pm. We are also pleased to have Tina back as a judge. Results will be announced at the meeting and standings updated when Eric returns from the Belgian experience.
e also very well done. After wards we visited Capital Ale House and Penny Lane. While not beer related we saw the Emmitt-Nershi Band on Friday night. Rob was in heaven and these guys (mostly from String Cheese Incident and Left over Salmon) were an awesome jam band. This festival was a raging success and should be on your not to be missed list for next year.
MYSTERY MEMBER
This picture was taken on the Patio of the Capital Ale House and shows that at times the pursuit of good beer can be a transcendental experience.
GUESS WHO?
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.