Blow off from the Prez
Well, the year is almost over and it’s time to celebrate! I want to congratulate and thank everyone who entered some of their fine homebrew into competitions this year. SAAZ tied for 5th place in the Florida Brewer standings. Hopefully next year we can break into the top three!
I also want to take a minute to thank everyone who helped out with club activities this year. I really mean it, when I say that the club couldn’t exist without the help from its members. This year will be the first year since I have been a member that we have people running against each other for offices. I want to emphasize that no matter how the voting turns out, the club relies on everyone, officers or not, to function smoothly. I encourage everyone to seek out ways to help in any way you can. I was very happy to see a lot of new and energetic faces join the club in the past year, and I know they bring a whole new set of skills that can help make the club even better next year!
Speaking of next year, events are already starting to shape up. There is more information below, but in there are three competitions in the first two months. Not to mention there are several things going on in Brevard County before year’s end.
Cheers,
Sean
Next Meeting – Christmas Party
December’s meeting, on December 4th, is the Holiday Party! Larry, Jill, & Princess Sophia have graciously offered to host again this year and the festivities will kick off at 1:30 pm-ish. Set up will begin around noon, and as always, the more help, the better. So if you are able to make it out sooner, please lend a hand. As always you’ll need to bring a covered dish, ice, a lawn chair and beer. A jolly holiday mood and your 2011 dues would also be much appreciated! We’re doing the Christmas Beer Bottle Exchange again this year. So, please bring a special, gift wrapped bottle of commercial beer (no swill beer!) to exchange with your fellow party goers! We will be voting for our 2011 Officers at some point during the merrymaking. There is a ballot below. If you are unable to attend, please email me your votes. Voting is important this year!!!
I-95 Directions
Take I-95 toward Titusville (This should be North for most of our members). Get off at Exit 220 (SR 406 or Garden Street) and turn right. At the first stoplight (Singleton) take a left and follow it for about a mile and a half to the next stop light and then turn right onto Dairy Road. Jill & Larry’s house is about half a mile down on the right hand side (2935 Dairy Rd.)
US-1 Directions Assuming you are coming from south Brevard, take US-1 north to Titusville. Drive all the way through Titusville. You will pass Searstown mall, Miracle City Mall, and Garden street (SR 406). Keep going until you see Parrish Hospital on your right hand side. The next light past the hospital is Dairy road. Take a left onto Dairy and follow it to the first light (Old Dixie Hwy). From here stay on Dairy for another half mile and you will see Jill & Larry’s house on the left. Jill and Larry’s phone number is 321-269-1143.
2011 Officers Ballot
President
Sean Gregg
1st Vice
Matthew Backus
2nd Vice
Joe Kintyhtt
Kip Cadoret
Treasurer
Anne Gregg
Secretary
Ramon Molledo
Alex Hansen
Librarian
Robert Bennett
Newsletter Editor
Josh Landin
BJCP Education:
One of our members reminded me that I once asked if anyone is interested in taking the BJCP exam. Well, we are in the planning phase of the process! I have had a few more responses, but please email me (prez@saaz.org) if you are interested. We would like to host the exam in very early September to avoid mass chaos with Commandeer SAAZ. This is a good thing, because there is a LOT of studying that goes along with this exam. There will be a fee for the classes, and there is an exam fee ($50 for first time takers). SAAZ has worked to help people with the cost, because we know we will be getting the help back at our own competition!
Dues:
Since it is now December, you may pay your dues now for next year. Tell your interested friends if they join now, they get the rest of this year, and next for the low, low prices listed below!
Individual Membership = $15
Couple’s Membership = $25
Lifetime Membership = $150
Dues can be paid to the Treasurer (Anne Gregg is filling in for the rest of the year) at any club meeting or online at www.saaz.org via PayPal (it’s on the right side of the homepage)
You don’t want to miss out on the benefits of membership!
Beer Brewing Campout:
Our Florida Brewing Brethren have been doing this for a few years now and would like us to participate!
Make plans now to join Tampa Bay BEERS at their third annual camping and brewing extravaganza the weekend of December 11th. Things will get going Friday evening December 10th and carry into Sunday December 13th. This is an open celebration of homebrewing and and is open to all members of the Florida homebrewing community including family and friends.
The event is held at the Sertoma Youth Ranch, conveniently located just off I-75 at exit 293 in the rolling hills of north Central Pasco County just outside of Dade City. The large private campground offers tent and RV camping and the club rents a large covered pavilion where the brewing takes place. Reservations are not required, this is a laid back event so if you’re able to just come on out. There will be BFBC and Dunderbak’s beer trailers equipped for cornies and other kegs, so just bring food and beer and camping gear if you’re overnighting and be ready for a great time.
As in previous years, they will be doing the 24 hour brewathon, with people brewing continuously in the covered pavilion from 10pm Friday through 10pm Saturday. To accomplish this they need to signup who will be brewing when. If you would like to participate in brewing please sign up on the Google 2010 Brewathon Sign-Up Sheet no later than Monday, December 6, 2010.
BEERS will also be providing main dishes for members on the Saturday evening meal (ribs, chicken, etc..), members should bring side dishes to share.
Questions? Email the webmaster using the “contact us” link on www.tampabaybeers.org
Dave and Robin Bennett’s Christmas Eve Shindig
Dave and Robin Bennett would like to cordially invite you to their house on Christmas Eve for an open house and a drink or two around 5pm. Feel free to bring the family and a jolly good time. 1377 Eva Lane in Melbourne. Dave will announce directions and more info at the SAAZ Christmas party.
Upcoming Competitions/Events
AHA Club-only Competition
Get to brewing ASAP for the January/February AHA Club-only competition. The first event of the year will be “Battle of the Bitters” (English Pale Ales). We will need to pick which member’s entry we send at the January meeting, so get to brewing now!!
MEADllennium
Meadllennium is one of the nation’s premier, mead-only competitions. They are also very fortunate to have lead-crystal wine-tasting glasses are available for judging.
MEADLLENNIUM 2011 will be held on January 29th in Orlando, FL
Deadline for entries will be January 22nd.
Check www.cfhb.org/mead for more info
Upcoming Florida Competitions
These are very rough dates and are subject to change, but…
The Miami Area Society of Homebrewer’s will be hosting the MASH Coconut Cup. Tentatively scheduled for the weekend of February 11th and 12th. More information to come soon
The Best Florida Beer Competition for homebrew hosted by Dunedin Brewer’s Guild will be the weekend of February 25th and 26th. Expect Entries to be due by the first of the month to give them enough time to sort and pre-judge.
The Bruery’s Batch 300 Homebrew Contest
In celebration of The Bruery’s continued growth, the incredible support from their fans across the country and their humble beginnings as homebrewers, they will be holding their third ever homebrew competition; this one set to determine their 300th batch.
The first place recipe of the competition will be brewed as their Batch No. 300 and the winner will have the opportunity to assist them in brewing the batch on their system if they so choose. The first, second and third place winners will also get various forms of swag.
Along with the chance to have one of your very own recipes brewed and distributed, you will also be helping us raise money for those in need, as the entire $10 entry fee will be donated to Lestonnac Free Clinic, devoted to providing free, comprehensive medical care to the poorest of the poor in Orange County, CA.
Check http://www.thebruery.com/batch300 for more info
Raffle
Do you have some homebrew supplies that you don’t use anymore? Maybe you upgraded or maybe you prefer another product? Consider bringing your dusty supplies to the next meeting for the raffle. We have brewers of all experience levels, so I am sure we can put any brewing supplies to use!
December Birthdays
Rick Strayer
Rich Abbruscato
Stephen Martinello
David Gray
Jill Vita
Local events
Florida Wine and Spirits
If you guys haven’t signed up for their newsletter, I suggest you do so as soon as possible. I try to include their events in every newsletter, but honestly, these events fill up in a matter of days! In case you’ve been under a rock, they have held a scotch nosing, a small batch bourbon tasting, a Brooklyn Beer class, and a Samuel Adams class in the last couple of months. I was told that the Boston Beer Representative brought a bottle of Utopias to the last Sam Adams tasting and share it with everyone. Not. Kidding.
These events are at Viera Store located @ 5410 Murrell Road.
Events are also being planned for the Titusville location @ 1921Knox McRae Drive
WOB
Eight Crazy Nights!
Wednesday, December 1st through December 8th start your holiday celebration at WOB. They have been chosen as one of 88 bars to do a Vertical showcase of Jewbelation. He’Brew Brewing Company has recreated Jewbelation 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Also they will have the new 2010 release, Jewbelation 14. They will debut one draft per night for eight crazy nights. On the eighth night, the last draft will be Vertical Jewbelation which is blend of all 7 Jewbelations on draft. Stop by WOB this holiday season.
Anniversary Party!
Can you believe that WOB – Viera is turning 1! So it’s time to party!
Help kick off the 1st Anniversary weekend. On Thursday, December 9th they are going to have a draft line that the world has never seen before. We will also be joined that evening by representatives from our favorite breweries. Then on Saturday, December 11th, the party continues all day with live music, C – Lane & Beav is playing at 4 pm. Matt Adkins and Jay Dibella is playing at 9 pm. The celebration continues with complimentary food and an extensive line up of vintage beer on draft. They will also have special surprises for you. Come out and celebrate. It will be a weekend you won’t forget. For more information Check the WOB website.
Cocoa Beach Brewing Company
Well if you did not know CBBC now has bottles available at the brewery and at local shops. You can find the Cocoa Beach Pale Ale and the Not Just Some Oatmeal Stout in 22oz bottles at Sunseed and other local bottle shops. Just one more way you can support your local Brewery.
Swamphead Brewery Dinner
There are still a fair number of seats available for the Swamp Head Beer Dinner, Monday December 13th at in Jacksonville. It’s going to be EPIC!
There will be more than 20 beers served with eight courses developed by the Kickback’s staff and three guest chefs.
There will be 16 Swamp Head beers (everything they have brewed) including a recent collaboration between Craig and Eric Lumen of Seven Bridges in Jacksonville. In addition there will be three of Craig’s home brewed test batches, and two home brews from members of Cask in Jacksonville
More details are available on the Swamp Head website:
Florida Beer Company
Florida Beer Company is still charging hard with their First Thursday events. In case you haven’t heard, they have a party at the brewery on the first Thursday of every month. Unfortunately, our newsletter comes out about the same time as the first Thursday. Be sure to visit their website and sign up to receive their newsletter to be up to date on all the events and sales!
***Beer News Beer News Beer News***
Beers, Beers, Beers
Well it is Christmas Time again believe it or not so all the Christmas beers should be rolling into all of your local shops now. Also look for some great gift packs this time a year. It is a great way to sample beers and get nice glass ware. There is also a B United order coming in this week to a few shops and there is a great new brewery form England called Thornbridge look for their beers and do not be afraid to try them. And for you smoke beer lovers a new bottle from the world famous Schlenkerla. This winter their Oak Smoked will be in bottles and in stores anytime. Here are the stats
Facts on „Schlenkerla Oak Smoke“:
- brewed with 100% Schlenkerla Oak Smoke Malt
- 8% alcohol
- 40 bitter units from finest aroma hops
- Bernstein (amber) color
Also, look for these new beers near you: Abita Christmas Ale 2010, Brooklyn Winter, Boulder Never Summer, Hoppy Claus Holiday, Mendocino Black Eye, Rogue Yellow Snow, Smisje Kerst, Southampton Imperial Porter
Education
A lot of people asked for more information about malts. Briess was nice enough to email us a copy of the malt guide they sent to us for this year’s Commander SAAZ. This is a great resource to use when formulating recipes and you are wondering what specialty grains to use. See the attached file and also check their website for more info!