Bubblings From the Fermenter
By Mark Tumarkin

The weather in January may have been horrible but the beer was great. We had an excellent meeting at Fred's house. The turnout was larger than usual, including a number of guests and potential new members. I think Ray's Belgian Beer Presentation/Tasting impressed them, as well it should have. It was a very successful tasting. I think our new format worked splendidly. We had a goodly number of representative beers to sample, but we weren't overwhelmed by the huge selection that we've had at some of our recent tastings. Truly, so many beers, so little time.

The big event on was, of course, the 15th Annual Hoggtowne Medieval Faire. It was a great success and a lot of fun. The new two-weekend format presented potential staffing problems, but the level of member participation was fantastic. We had almost 100% participation, with many people showing up for extra shifts in addition to the ones they had signed up for with Ray. A number of people were there for all four days, and many more for at least one day on each weekend.

Despite the poor weather the first weekend, the beer sales were great. We sold a few more kegs this year than last. The final numbers aren't in yet but we should do as well as last year, or better. This is despite the fact that our expenses were higher due to the two-weekend format.

And despite the weather and the long hours, everyone had fun. That's probably the most important thing. We have a long history at the Faire, and it's all based on having a good time. We seem to get the details down better each year. The logistics of organizing the booth, set-up and breakdown, the food, the new Brewer's Compound - it all seemed to fall together superbly.

Costumes were an issue for some people. We've got plans to take care of that next year. Dave Williams has already purchased a bundle of leather to use in making wrist guards, belts, scabbards, etc. We'll be looking for a bolt of fabric and we'll plan a Costume Party before next year's Faire. We will make a number of outfits that will be available for club members and guests so suitable attire shouldn't be an issue at future Faires.

One sad note was the passing of Fred's Mead Company and Screaming Viking Mead. The batch we were selling was Fred's last production run. However, we sent him off in style. Not only did we sell much more mead than last year, we invented two new beverages - the Menace, a dollop of Screaming Viking in a Guinness, and the Bee Sting, made of mead and Bass Ale. These drinks were very well received by the Faire crowd. There has been a suggestion that we hold a Viking funeral party. We'll put Fred in the Longboat, light it on fire, and set it adrift on Lake Alice. You're all invited, be there.

In all, it was a great effort and a very successful Faire. Great job folks, we've got a terrific club to be proud of! The February meeting will be at the new abode of Selina and Ray. Details to follow by email, as the time gets closer. The presentation/tasting will be on Fruit (Cat. 21), Spice & Vegetable (Cat. 22) and Smoke (Cat. 23) beers. It will be more difficult to put together a good sampling of these styles so if you have any good examples to share, please notify Robert Riley. Until then, keep those fermenters bubbling. [Note from Robert: I need vegetable beers, everything else is coming along nicely]

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