Bubblings From the Fermenter
By Mark Tumarkin
The June meeting was great. It was truly Fred's night - he hosted the meeting at his home (thank you, Fred!), led the presentation/tasting on Pale Ales, and gave the most theatrical and probably most enjoyable presentation we've ever had. The text of his presentation is published in this month's newsletter, but if you missed his talk, no his performance; it will only give you a taste of how funny he was. Fred, we've got to get you to do more writing for the newsletter.
At the meeting we discussed the upcoming Road Trip/Pub Crawl 2001. This trip to Savannah on July 21-22 will be a different sort of adventure than the past pub crawls. Rather than chartering a bus for a day trip, we'll be driving in several of our own vehicles, checking into a motel right on Bay Street in the old part of town, and then doing a walking tour of the brew pub and beer bar scene. There are 6-8 stops within easy walking distance. We've got about 14 or so people that have signed up. If you'd like to go but haven't signed up, you'll have to call and make your own reservations and car arrangements. Let Erin know ASAP if you'd like to join us.
A few weeks before the meeting, Janice Sue and George Stone hosted a great party at their beautiful home "down the holler", south of Micanopy. It was suggested that you get there before dark so you wouldn't get lost, but I think they exaggerated. The directions were good and easy to follow. It really wasn't bad at all. There was a fantastic selection of food and beer, and a good time was had by all. This month, Sue and Wayne will be hosting a party on Saturday, July 14th.
I have been quite pleased with the Brewer of the Year contest recently. We have been getting more entries recently, and also a number of these entries have been from brewers that haven't entered very often, if at all, in the past. We've also had a turnover in the point standings. The lead has passed back and forth between Wayne and myself for the first part of the year, but after last month's Richard Furlong and Pete Turner were in a two-way tie for first place. Congratulations, guys! Then, after the June contest (with six entries!), Pete is now the sole first place winner. Dave Perez took First place for his Scottish 70 Shilling Ale. Second Place went to Pete Turner's English Pale Ale (putting him into First place overall), and Third Place went to George Perrin's Best Bitter. The competition has been heating up, we've been getting more entries, and we have some good categories ahead of us. I hope you're all getting entries ready for next month's contest on Bavarian Wheat beers. So until then, keep those fermenters bubbling.