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The Woodbridge Homebrewers Ale and Lager Enthusiast Society

WHALES 2012 Holiday Party

The WHALES is an AHA registered homebrewing club based out of Central New Jersey that has been active since 1996. We have around 50-60 members in any given year. Despite the beer-centric name, the club is also equally involved in the production of mead (fermented honey), ciders and wines. The club promotes an ongoing education of various brewing techniques through brewer presentations (both peer members and professional brewers alike). Membership is also encouraged to develop their palettes through regular tastings of home brewed and commercial examples of all the BJCP recognized styles. Many of the members regularly achieve at least bronze medals in regular brewing competitions and a WHALES cider project even took a gold medal at the 2009 NHC. While most of the activities are geared towards promoting and growing the home brewing hobby, it remains a great social network for folks who share at least one passion; taking a hands-on approach to the beverages we love.

JJ Bitting Brewpub LogoJJ Bittings brewpub (Main Street) in Woodbridge, NJ has been the WHALES home base and meeting location for about 10 years. We are grateful to have such generous hosts. Regular club meetings occur the 3rd Tuesday night of every month at 8pm. Depending on the agenda and the number tastings we do, most members filter out by 10:30pm. Official business usually takes an hour or so.

The 2008 Whales Flanders Project

The club also meets for club projects at various members’ homes and has been known to move a meeting or two to a surrounding brewpub for a temporary change of scenery and an excuse to drink more beer.

Membership consists of people from all walks of life, all ages (21+ of course), and many areas of professional expertise. We’re happy to say that we also have two BJCP certified judges in our midst.

NOTE: As the club grows in size, it's especially important for new visitors to introduce yourselves to someone so that you're not lost in the shuffle. It would really help to show up at about 7:45 before the bulk of the membership arrives.

The WHALES encourage you to please enjoy homebrew responsibly. For more information about alcohol consumption, please visit the CDC website.

If you'd like more info about the club, don't hesitate to contact us.

2013 April Meeting #174

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Written by Bobby Mierzejwski
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WHALES Meeting Minutes and Newsletter #174 for April 2013

 

The April 2013 general meeting was well attended by 33 members and 4 guests, two of which signed the guest list. One of our guests was a reporter from the Rutgers Targum who was taking pictures and asking folks a bunch of questions. We'll see if it ends up being an article.

 

Calendar

Project Status
4/5-6 Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival - 3 sessions - $51 - website
4/16 Extract Club Only Comp
4/17 Weyerbacher Big Brew Night at Northside Lounge, Manville, NJ. 6pm.
5/4  AHA Big Brew
6/27-29 AHA National Homebrewers Conference

Bourbon Barrel Russian Imperial Stout Batch 2 is being cared for by Craig Easton. Distribution in June likely.

 

JD's Sour Cherry Belgian Dark Strong Ale project still aging.  Click here for more.

 

Gary and Joe's wine project. Distribution target for weekend after Memorial Day before it gets too hot.  Click here for more.

 

Bobby's Lambic Solera Project was brewed on 9/1, First exchange due Early Summer. Selection of the first exchange team due soon.

 

Craig Easton's Fall Barrel Project - Currently in proposal and planning stage. Share commitments will be solicited in late summer.

 

 Competition News

 Homebrewer of the Year

 

Recent Comp News

 
As of 4/17, HBOY standings have remain unchanged as we continue to await the NHC first round results due on May 4th. At that time, both entry points and placement points will be added to the tally and published under a separate competition newsletter.

The NHC first round has been judged in most regions and scoresheets have been trickling in around the country. The AHA will officially publish all first round results by May 4th. Good Luck all!

 

The Extract COC was judged at the club level at the April meeting and it included 6 entries. Everyone was rather surprised at the low turnout since most wide category BJCP COCs are highly entered. Congrats to Sergio M. for having his American Amber selected at Club Choice. Good luck on the National stage!

 

Commercial Calibration

 

 Flight

 

 

Brad and Jen, having recently spent a week drinking their way across Belgium thought it a great idea to expose more people to the best of Belgian Beers. Skipping right over the blondes, we were treated to Corsendonk Dubbel, St. Bernardus Tripel, and Westvleteren 12 (yellow cap) Dark Strong. As most cultured beer geeks are aware, the Westvleteren 12 is a very difficult beer to come by and the club was grateful to the Jones's for hooking us up. For those who crave this rare beer, one should consider that several people agree that the easier to get St. Bernardus Abt 12 is on par or better.

 

Roger Wells - Jalapeno Cream Ale, Chipotle Porter, and American Brown Ale. Nice showing for a guest!

Brian Evans - Pale Ale

Ryan K. - DFH 61 Minute IPA with Syrah Must

Dennis M. - Imperial Stout