Meeting Newsletters

2005 September Meeting Issue #83

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Written by Gary Weston
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The Official WHALES Newsletter and Minutes September 2005 Issue #083

Woodbridge Homebrewers Ale & Lager Enthusiasts Society Established 1996

 

Preview:

Co-brewers SteveG and Neil  voter’s choice in the Vienna/Octoberfest Club Only

Making hard cider is soooo easy even Crazy John could do it.

The shirts are coming!  The shirts are coming!

 

Calendar:

* Prez’ annual Octoberfest Party Oct 1 at noon

* Heavyweight Brewing open house Oct 9th 1-4pm

* Valhalla Mead Competition/Tasting, Philly Oct 15th

* Garden State Brewery Collectibles Show Oct 16th

 

Quote:

“The whole world is about three drinks behind.”  -Humphrey Bogart

 

The WHALES held their Tuesday 20th September meeting at J.J. Bittings, who now feature a great Cask Pale on tap.  We extend thanks to Mike Cerami for his welcoming smile these nine years.  On hand were Prez, Crazy John, Luke, Neal, Keith, SteveG, Gary, Leo, SteveS, Gene, newbie Darrin and a cameo from Bitting’s brewer August.

 

COC Category 3 Euro Amber Viennas Octoberfests.   There were four fabulous club only entries for Category 3.  Gary, Keith, Neil & SteveG had octoberfests while Prez challenged with a Vienna.  Neil & Steve firmly came away with the flag and will represent the club nationally.  Congrats! They will split the HBOY points earned (1 for entering and 1 for winning).

 

Concerning the Belgian/French Ale COC from June, Orth’s fine saison did not place nationally.  Congrats to both Orth and Ken & Bea Jones of Aurora, IL whose saison won first place.  Baltic Porter category 12c COC judging will be next month!

 

The Whales headed down the Jersey Shore on Saturday 8/20 on a slightly overcast day.  Leo & Kim accompanied the Prez, who more than likely soaked a hop filled muslin in the approaching tide in a noble effort to increase the alpha percentages of the ocean.

 

Gary is ordering up our custom Whales shirts.  The club will pay for the digitization of the logo which will be kept on file for future items.  Dues paying members will get a $10 discount off the first shirt from the club treasury.  Although the price may vary a buck in each direction, the polo shirts are $18, the white/blue polo’s $22 and the sweatshirts are $24.  They may be available at the next meeting so those who ordered should bring some cash for Gary who is putting the money up-front.

 

Prez & Janet’s annual Octoberfest party is Saturday Oct 1st noon, 14 Lillian Terrace Woodbridge.  All Whales are invited and encouraged to bring (beer-duh!) and a covered dish.  Have you seen it?  Our own Prez and first lady are pictured in Zymergy  whooping it up at the Nationals in Baltimore.

 

This month’s presentation was PowerPoint slideshow on the virtures of fermenting Cider by Luke.  Main points included blending apple varieties, using adjuncts such as sugar and potassium metabisulfite, potential pitfalls and barrel fermentation.

 

Speaking of barrel fermentation, we are planning a run to Colrain, Mass November 5-6th to pick up 60+ gallons of blended cider for a club barrel fermentation project.  The barrel will come from our friends at Laird’s Applejack ($25) and funds have been appropriated from dues.  Anyone interested in attending the Cider Day ’05 lectures and tastings that weekend, contact Luke.

 

Although not a Whales sanctioned comp, Dave Housemann is running a Mead Only Comp in Philly on 10/15.  Housed at the American Swedish Historical Museum, it will be open to the public from 4-6PM for a tasting of commercial and homebrewed meads with a buffet.  Proceeds go to a local community literacy program.  Contact:  Luke

 

Meadmakers are encouraged to try the fine line of products from Stiles Apiaries at 859 King George Road, Fords 08863.  Grant Stiles is a local honey producer who hosted one of our class trips a few years back.   It’s a good idea to call Grant to make sure he’s around (732) 661-0700.  Don’t forget, honey makes a great brewing adjunct to get those gravities up and smooth the texture out.  You can get quantities from 1 lb. to 55 gal. drums.

 

The Garden State BCCA Chapter is sponsoring a beer can & collectibles show at the Polish Cultural Center, 177 Broadway, Clark NJ on Oct 16th from 10AM-3PM.  Come find all types of brewery collectibles like beer cans, bottles, signs, lights, coasters and trays. Food and beer available.  For more info, contact Jay Dertinger at 908-925-0789 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

We are looking for a volunteer to host the AHA Teach A Friend to Homebrew Day (aka The Brew-Bash) on Saturday November 12th.   It’s rain or shine.

 

Split Rock!!! Nov 19th-20th  at the resort located in Lake Harmony PA.  In addition to the nearly 50 breweries pouring, the event features one of the Whales sanctioned “Great Brews of America” competition on Saturday.   We need to solidify who is going for the weekend and arrange accommodations at the next meeting.  For more info go to www. Splitrockresort.com/beerfest  

 

Treasurer’s Report:  According to Uncle Leo, we started with $722.54 and had no changes to the balance in the last 30 days.

 

The Flight: 

In addition to the four Category 3’s from the club only comp, we tried Leo’s Belgian Wit, Luke & Tripka’s English Dry Cider and two aged Ciders from Prez’ vaults of ’03 and 04.

 

That’s all Folks!  Hoppy brewing.

-Luke, CEO Pissoff Brothers Brewing Co