Bubblings from the Fermenter
Mark Tumarkin
We had a good meeting at Ray & Selinaās to start off the year. We had a pretty good turnout, especially considering the cold and rainy evening. And we had a good entry in the Open Style beer competition ö five entries including one from a new brewer, Bruce Stewart. Bruce did well on his initial try, gaining third place with his Irish Ale. Congratulations!
Speaking of contests, this was a big month for competitions. We had a large contingent of judges and brewers that went to Tallahassee to help judge at the Big Bend Brew-off (see Sueās story for more details). It was also a good show for me personally, my Wheatwine took first place in the Specialty category. We had a smaller contingent of judges who went to Orlando to help the Central Florida Homebrewers judge the Meadlennium III (see Robertās story for details). This is great for our club as the other clubs are beginning to know weāre active again.
The main topic of business at the meeting was the upcoming Medieval Faire. We have had a great response on the signup sheet for the Faire. Many people have already indicated that they plan on working all day, on either one or both days. It will take a minimum of five people at a time to staff the booth properly. We will need a lot of people to allow for shifts so everyone can have time to enjoy both the Faire and the great beer weāll be pouring. So far, it looks like weāre right on track. If you havenāt signed up yet, please give me a call. Also, let me know if you need a parking/entry pass.
The next event in preparation for the Faire will be the Guinness training session. The folks at Guinness want to teach us the proper way to pour the perfect pint. We will be meeting with them next Friday, February 4th at Market Street Pub. Be there about 7:30. We will probably be holding the training on the new club side, so as not to interfere with Market Streetās Friday evening crowd. Hope youāre all planning to be there. Also plan to be at Ray and Selinaās the following Friday evening (Feb 11th) for the pre-Faire party. Weāll enjoy the obligatory screening of Monty Pythonās Holy Grail, and other wondrous treats. Come in costume. You do have your costume ready for the Faire, donāt you? Remember, they are required. It can be simple as long as you look somewhat medieval. Squire, Knight, Peasant, Wench, Lord or Lady, just do it.
A good number of brewers turned out for Ed & Bobās Superbowl Party at Market Street. As usual, Ed put out quite a feast. And all the beer was on the house! We could hardly complain about the service, it being self-service and all. I think a number of the brewers were in heaven. I particularly remember seeing Fred, at one point, standing behind the bar and staring at all the taps, trying to decide which beer to try next. He looked like a kid in a candy store. I heard Wayne make a comment that he wanted to try all the beers he hadnāt already had. As they say in the movies; a good time was had by all.
We presented Ed and Bob with Hogtown Brewerās membership cards and T-shirts as a small token of our gratitude for their ongoing support of Hogtown Brewers. I made sure to inform Ed that one of the benefits of being a card-holding brewer was that he could get a free pint at Market Street every Saturday. He seemed to appreciate that. Rumor has it that they are planning on starting brewing again very soon. About time!
And speaking of brewing, the style for our next Beer of the Month contest is Bitters (and the style for the March meeting is German Wheats). The February meeting will be at Wayne and Sueās on Friday, Feb 25th (last Friday of the month). Hope youāve got those fermenters bubbling.