October Meeting Notes

Turnout was high (12½ members plus 2 prospective new members) and there was more business than usual at October’s meeting. First, the business:

Tom Baird, of Brewmaster, where we hold our meetings, discussed ways to broaden and improve the relationship between the club and the shop. Tom wants our feedback on products we'd like to see him carry, new presentation methods for the products that he already carries, and reviews of the new products that he's brought in lately.

Charlie would like to propose that the club take on the task of running Tom’s brewing classes. Tom has offered us the use of the shop homebrew system, which might give us an opportunity to do more "club brew sessions" and "education" projects. We'll be discussing it at the November meeting.

Other business included the Holiday party, which is tentatively planned for December 14th from 4:30 pm on, at Fremont Brewing in the "Tap Room".

The 1997 National Bay Area Brew-Off (February 1, 1997) mailers have been redesigned by John Pyles and Ken Koupal and are ready to be sent out. (Your copy is included with this newsletter.) Bonny Setzer will be the Chief Steward. Roger St. Denis will be the Registrar. Bob Jones has created a web page, and our hosts at HopYard, HopTech, and HopTown have links to our competition web page. There will not be any food served this year, but the grill at HopYard will be open for business.

Mike Wood accepted the task of writing the entry essay for the California State Homebrew Competition (aka Stern Grove). The Draught Board has twelve entries this year, three of which are strong ales (style of this month)! The entrants are: Bob Jones, Bruce Brazil, Tom Altenbach, Roger St. Denis, Harry Graham, Bryan & Lisa Gros, and Charlie Webster. Everyone should turn out at Stern Grove for the competition celebration to root for the winners. The Stern Grove celebration (nee beer party) is Saturday, November 16th, 2:30 - 8:00 pm.

... and the other part of the meeting was beer and food ...

From "Roger’s Recollections", the Beer Steward’s Report: Harry Graham donated our style of the month beers. We started with the North Coast Oktoberfest Ale followed by Harry's own Oktoberfest beer. Then on to a Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen Amber. While Harry was pouring, we went right to his Pilsner, a light refreshing beer.

Bruce Brazil shared some of the German Lager beer he brewed earlier this year.

Joe and Bonny Seltzer brought some of the last of Joe's Steam beer. Hopefully Joe and Bonny will get a chance to start brewing again now that Shannon has arrived.

We moved on to Ken Koupal's National Homebrew Wheat beers brewed last May. Ken fermented 5 gallons with the 3068 yeast we all used and another 5 gallons with the London ESB 1968 yeast. Both beers had the slight sour taste with the 3068 having the most banana in the nose and taste. Ken followed this up with his Munich Dunkel.

Bob Jones brought out his Strong Ale, which he was planning on entering at the Stern Grove competition. He was especially interested in comments, trying to decide if we thought it should be entered. Bob's beer was right on as usual so we all encouraged him to enter it. Bob also brought out the Barley Wine he brewed a year ago. An excellent winter warmer that has aged well.

Mike Wood brought out the last bottle of the Russian Imperial Stout he brewed for his wedding. It didn't seem quite big enough to be a Russian Imperial Stout but it is certainly a fine stout none the less.

Bob Jones thoughtfully brought an excellent assortment of appetizers for the meeting to accompany all the beers. He brought a Chex Mix for the first course then moved on to Chicken Wings with his own hot sauce and even brought Fat Free cookies for the big beers at the end. The food was as welcome as the beers.

Thank you to all the folks who brought beers and thanks to Bob for bringing the excellent munchies.