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

2013 March Meeting #173

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Written by Bobby
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March 2013 WHALES Meeting Newsletter#173

The February 2013 WHALES meeting was very lightly attended for a March meeting. Only 24 members were there. 

Our newly appointed president Brad Jones was unfortunatley assigned to drinking beer in Belgium and was not able to attend the meeting. Gary stepped in like an old hand and carried us through the casual agenda.
 
Events

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


 

 

 

 

 
Club Projects

Bourbon Barrel Russian Imperial Stout Batch 2 is being cared for by Craig Easton

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

Gary and Joe S's wine project still aging.  Click here for more.

Bobby's 2012 Overbrook Funky Barrel V - Lambic Solera Project was brewed on 9/1, First exchange due Spring 2013.

Whales Keystone Barrel still aging at Keystone. Boyle's topped up with apple cider and grabbed a sample to share with the club tonight. It's interesting for sure, but who knows how it will fare against the competition (be to judged at NHC club night).

 If you have a suggestion for a club project, make a post on the message forum or send an email to steering@whalesbrewclub.com with your proposal.
 
March , 2012 Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

The steering committee met at the Northside Lounge on March 12 and while it was mostly social beer drinking chatter, we did touch on the topic of creating several additional club awards similar to the HBOY that would also be based on brewing competition acheivements. While a ful list or proposal is not yet available, some of the brainstormed ideas were: "highest score awarded in any BJCP sanctioned, club recognized comp" since this is an isolated acheivement that doesn't necessarily mean the brewer would win HBOY. Another idea was in addition to the overall HBOY award, which spans all styles inclulding meads and ciders, to have sub categories based on groups of styles, e.g. CMOY (cider), MMOY (mead) and potentially even broad groups of beer styles; German Brewer, American Brewer, Belgian Brewer, High Gravity (wins with 1.080 OG styles). These would all be determined in the same way as the overall HBOY, but the contributing points only come from those categories. It is not clear if these would be simply recognized titles or if a small token/prize would come with it, but it will certianly liven up the holiday party and make the awards presentation a little more fun.

We also did a bit more brainstorming on the logistics of NHC, the most impactful was the decision to simplify the booth and tap system. Instead of risking detroying Gary's large kegerator and having technical issues, we decided to go with the kegs in a barrel 'o ice like most clubs. More on that later.

 
Competition Corner

Home Brewer Of The Year Standings

Don and Stephen Boyle in first place with 10 points

Sergio Moutela in second place with 4 points

Note: NHC first round entry points still not accounted for.

Latest Scores

    JD Haesloop won the February COC with a  (13B - English Barleywine) but didn't place at the national stage. The WHALES are still tied for 3rd place club of the year along with many other clubs. 
    Upcoming Competitions
    • Club Only Competition for Extract Beer styles will be judged on 4/16. Registration will open around 4/1 and close on 4/15. Get those taxes in and register your COC entry!
    • First round of NHC results officially available May 4th but many people announcing scoresheets arriving in their mail boxes so keep an eye out!

     

    Note that this competition information summary may not contain all the most up to date information due to the newsletter's montly schedule. As always, please see Jay's competition focused newsletters in your email box or at http://www.whalesbrewclub.com/minutes/competition-news
     
    Calibration Excersize
    None this month

     
    Flight

    Thanks to everyone that brought something to the flight this month.

      Brian Marquis - Saison w/Brett
      Prez - Dry Stout from Defiant brew day
      Ron W - ESB
      Sam Goodman - Dry Stout
       
      Final Notes

      There is a lot going on with the club these days, from projects, to pub crawls to grain buys and much more.   Please keep in touch with the forums and home page every so often.  There will be opportunities to vote on things that help shape your club and fun activities and events that will make the most out of your experience.

      If you have any feedback, please don't hesitate to contact us at steering@whalesbrewclub.com.

      Thanks,

      Bobby

       

      2013 February Meeting #172

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      Written by Bobby
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      February 2013 WHALES Meeting Newsletter#172

      The February 2013 WHALES meeting was attended by 35 members and 2 guests.  Given the fact that several members from last year are apparently not returning this year, this was a stellar turnout. We welcomed our newest member Rich K. who joined the after the January meeting.

      As members are aware by now that our new club president Frank had a personal turn of events that required him to abruptly depart from the club. We all wish him the best of luck and hope our paths meet in the future some time. Since he just stepped out of that spot only a month ago, Bobby ran the meeting in February.
       
      Events

      2/2 International Great Beer Expo @ Meadowlands. 2 sessions - $40 ($55 at door) - website

      2/16  The Big Brew Beer Festival in Morristown, NJ - $50 - website

      2/22 Keith Story's Big Beer night - discuss

      4/5-6  Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival - 3 sessions - $51 - website


       

       

       

       

       
      Club Projects

      Bourbon Barrel Russian Imperial Stout Batch 2 is being cared for by Craig Easton - Recent samples shared with the club garnered mixed opinions of the level of oaking. Shareholders will decent how much longer to leave it in the barrel.

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

      Gary and Joe S's wine project still aging.  Click here for more.

      Bobby's 2012 Overbrook Funky Barrel V - Lambic Solera Project was brewed on 9/1, First exchange due Spring 2013.

      Whales Keystone Barrel still aging at Keystone. Boyle's topped up with apple cider and grabbed a sample to share with the club tonight. It's interesting for sure, but who knows how it will fare against the competition (be to judged at NHC club night).

       If you have a suggestion for a club project, make a post on the message forum or send an email to steering@whalesbrewclub.com with your proposal.
       
      January 29, 2012 Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

      Given Frank's departure from the club, the steering committee gathered for an interim meeting to discuss plans for replacing the president spot. The committee members were solicited for their interest in taking the spot. No one was particularly vocal about stepping into the role so we agreed to take nominations for the club for a short time and hold a vote at the February meeting if the nomination was contended. During that time both Gary and Brad were entertaining the role and by the time the meeting began, Brad announced his intensions and Gary declined.

      The next steering committee meeting is planned for 3/12/13 if you have any topics you'd like them to discuss.

       
      Competition Corner

      Home Brewer Of The Year Standings

      1. Don and Stephen Boyle, Dennis Maciupa, & JD Haesloop - tied with 2 points
      2. Ten members - tied with 1 point

      Barleywine CoC Results

        1. JD Haesloop (13B - English Barleywine)
        2. Brian Spence (13B - English Barleywine)
        Upcoming Competitions
        • War of the Worts -- Entries are in -- Judging will be on Sat, Feb 23.
        • National Homebrew Competition -- Online registration opens online Tues, Feb 26 -- do not delay

         

        Note that this competition information summary may not contain all the most up to date information due to the newsletter's montly schedule. As always, please see Jay's competition focused newsletters in your email box or at http://www.whalesbrewclub.com/minutes/competition-news
         
        Calibration Excersize
        None this month

         
        Flight

        Thanks to everyone that brought something to the flight this month.

          Jay B - IIPA from the community mash
          Joe M - Barley Wine
          Jay D - Cherry Melomel
          Prez - Kolsch
          Newman - Iron Brewer Spiced Ale
          Ed D - Amber
          Sergio M - APA
          Jon M - Mint Chocolate Stout and Black Forrest Stout
           
          Final Notes

          There is a lot going on with the club these days, from projects, to pub crawls to grain buys and much more.   Please keep in touch with the forums and home page every so often.  There will be opportunities to vote on things that help shape your club and fun activities and events that will make the most out of your experience.

          If you have any feedback, please don't hesitate to contact us at steering@whalesbrewclub.com.

          Thanks,

          Bobby

           

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