Announcements
2004 National Homebrew Competition
Want to see how you stack up against 3000 of the best homebrewers from around the world? Enter the American Homebrewers Associations' 26th Annual National Homebrew Competition. Entries are due between April 7-16. Our local entry point is Bacchus & Barleycorn. Find out more details at the official website.
Minutes of the March 11th Meeting
Clean Up Crew: Nate volunteered.
Membership Fees: Membership fees for 2004 are due. Please get your membership dues paid up. The fees are $16/individual, $24/family.
Treasurer's Report: Balance reported of $1755.76. Some additional membership dues are coming in. Joe Yoder has already been reimbursed for the Brewfest campsites. We are in good shape financially for the upcoming year.
Old Business
Homebrew Pro Shoppe Discount: Dale will send a current list of members to the Home Brew Pro Shoppe so that members can take advantage of discounts.
April Meeting: The April 8th meeting is being held at Free State Brewing. We will tour the brewery, then convene in the meeting room.
Big Brew: The group discussed options for oak barrels. It was decided that Rob Dewhirst will purchase one for $180 plus shipping.
Brewfest '04:
Tickets: The ticket prices will be the same: $15 for adults.
All ticket sales will be in advance of the event - no sale at the gate.
We will sell 150 tickets, plus complimentaries. A map to the new location will be printed on the back.
Each LBG member donating 5 gal of homebrew will receive a free ticket.
Bands: We agreed to secure Uncle Dirty Toes and Barry will also ask Prairie Akers. Offer $250 and comp tickets to each band
Smoker: Dale will provide the smoker. Craig Cottingham and Pete Clouston will be the smoker crew.
Beer: Rob Dewhirst will once again coordinate beer tapping.
He will also talk with Blind Tiger about bringing some of their beer to the Brewfest.
Shelters: It was suggested that the LBG buy the tent shelters this year instead of borrowing. Andy Booth will check on prices. Andy will also bring a large grill and 2 oval stock tanks.
Glasses: Barry Fitzgerald will supply artwork for the pint glasses, and Pete will follow up on the order.
New Business
Honorary Membership: Rob suggested that we make Dwight Burnham an honorary member for life based on his long-time support of the LBG. We will look into getting a plaque made.
Library: A list of our library books will be published on our web site. The list can be found here
May Seminar: Rob will lead the seminar in May on the topic of yeast starters.
Seminar
Barry Fitzgerald presented a seminar on growing hops. He is on his forth year and has limited success. Nathan added his successful experience with Cascade hops. Great discussion.
Here are links to the info Barry handed out, in case you weren't there.
Growing Hops in the Home Garden - From the Oregon State Extension Service
More on Growing Humulus lupus (ie Hops) in New England - University of Vermont Extension System
Dale Wheeler-Secretary
Beer Contributions
Dale Wheeler Jalepeno Smoked, Weisbock, American Bitter, Cider
Joe Yoder YPA
Pete Clouston Stout, Irish Red Ale
Bob Heidrick Spiced Christmas Ale (late!)
Craig Cottingham Irish Red Ale
Barry Fitzgerald New Belgium Biere de Mars
Andy Booth Winter Wheat, Oatmeal Stout
Nate Poell Free State Gov. Robinson's Lager
Commercial Tastings
Belgian Ales: Not really a category, but a country. Joe brought two authentic Trappist Ales and two North American interpretations.
1. Unibroue La Fin Du Monde (Canada) - Comments: This is Duvel, milk aroma, sweetness of a triple but lacks the bite, pears and malt.
2. New Belgium Trippel (Colorado) - Comments: crisper than #1, dry and attenuated, sharper carbonation, more sour, a little clove.
3. Konigshoeven Tripel (Netherlands) - Comments: we're getting into the Belgian funk, Rick James moves to Brussels, moldy cellar (and that's a good thing), clearer than previous two, there's a lot of alcohol in this.
4. Chimay Red (Belgium) - Comments: spicy, number 3 had twang, this is Belgium.
The Konigshoeven Tripel was voted the closest to style and the favorite to drink. La Fin Du Monde finished second in both votes.
Recent Beer News from RealBeer.com
Governator Ale terminated
Mar 31, 2004 - Portland Brewing agrees to quit making 'tribute' to Schwarzenegger
Beer belly battle
Mar 29, 2004 - Major brewers still on low-carb wagon - but A-B questions diet 'errors'
Lederhosen protest
Mar 17, 2004- Bavaria cuts subsidy, and Oktoberfest parade threatened
Supporting the draft
Mar 17, 2004 - BAA, Draught Guild initiate program for better beer dispensing
Copyright 2004 by Real Beer, Inc.
Discounts Available to LBG Members
Card carrying LBG members receive a 10% discount at the Hombrew Pro Shoppe. They have two locations, 2059 E. Santa Fe in Olathe and 531 SE Melody Lane in Lee's Summit.
LBG members receive a 10% discount from Bacchus & Barleycorn, April 5-9. Please show membership card. Bacchus & Barleycorn is located at 6633 Nieman Rd. in Shawnee (913-962-2501).
April 2004
Moderator: Officers