February 2015 Minutes

Walt and Judy Crawford hosted the February B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 8th at their home in King’s Crossing. Club President Cory Mathews called the meeting to order, welcoming new members Steve and Kathy Indrelunas. Treasurer Carroll Pate gave us the same old, same old report. Paul Holder corrected last months’ statement that home carbon filtration systems will not process more than 0.72 gallons per hour of water. They WILL, but will not remove all chloramines if used at a faster rate. Carroll reminded everyone that the pig roast at his home in April will be a massive feast, so bring your feed bags. In new business, we congratulate Jason and Sarah Merry on the birth of their daughter Emily.

The competition this month was for Fruit/Smoked/Wood Aged beers, BJCP categories 20A, 22A-C. Results are as follows:

• 1st – Daniel Fearn, pineapple pale ale, 174 points 
• 2nd – Mark Quade, chipotle American red ale, 167 points 
• 3rd – Paul Holder, raspberry amber ale, 158 points 
• 4th – Claudio Montiel, orange citrus wheat ale, 126 points 

While the judges pondered the competition beers we dug into King Ranch chicken and tasted new homebrews from Walt (American IPA), Daniel Fearn (pomegranate blonde), Tom Freund (Kölsch and porter) and Jason (barleywine). The most exotic commercial beer was Daniel Fearn’s Blackbeard Premium Roatan Ale.

Random comments to digest :

• Sabrina Krueger “Chipotle is a fruit” 
• Carroll “After three weeks it started throbbing” 
• Carroll “How do you compress it enough to get it in?” 
• Carroll “It must be hydraulic” 

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 8-Mar-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Lou Needleman, brewing demonstration) 
• 12-Apr-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, pig roast, light hybrid beer competition, BJCP 6A-D) 
• 2-May-15: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate?, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 17-May-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (John Daniels?) 
• 14-Jun-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Nutting, English ESB/Pale ale competition, BJCP 8C) 
• 12-July-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, hosted by Paul Holder) 

Thanks again Walt and Judy, congratulations Jason, Sarah and Daniel, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Lou’s!

January Minutes

The frost was on the punkin as we held the January B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 11th at the home of Tom and Rocky Freund. Club President Cory Mathews called the meeting to order. Treasurer Carroll Pate reported “All is well, except I’m thirsty”. Paul Holder announced two new local brewpubs in the pipeline, one by member Hector “Toad” Cavazos and the other in Port Aransas at the site of Beaches BBQ.

Paul also gave a synopsis of the book “Water” by John Palmer. The three primary sources of brewing water are tap water, which is cheap but contains contaminants (in our area, chiefly chloramines), reverse osmosis (RO) water which requires chemical addition and spring water, which is pricy and may be missing certain minerals.

For light beers (blondes, pilsners, etc.) soft water such as RO is appropriate. For hoppy ales, you need mineral hardness and pH control is critical. For dark beers your water must be alkaline to balance the acidity of dark grains.

Treating tap water with an RO membrane will remove chloramines, but the chloramines will eat the membranes. Commercial RO machines contain an activated carbon filter upstream of the membranes. The carbon removes chloramines and organic contaminants, then the membranes remove minerals.

Many commercial breweries (including locally) filter tap water through carbon. Contact time is critical. Most home carbon filters are only 30 cubic inches or so in volume, and can only process 1 gallon per hour.

Another option for removing chloramines from tap water is using Camden tablets (sodium metabisulfite). Travis Clapp mentioned that potassium metabisulfite is preferable. Boiling tap water will sanitize it, but will NOT remove chloramines.

Cory and Vice President Sabrina Krueger presented Wild Bill Lehfeld with the B.A.S.H. Cup for Homebrewer of the Year 2014.

The highlight of the January meeting is the Iron Mash judging, and this year was no exception. Five solid teams contested Iron Mash XI, brewing their beers on November 1. The “Clappinators” (AKA the “Brewjays”) consisted of Travis, Judge Mark Woerner and Danna Sharpe. Alex “A-train” Almendarez and Patrick Viles were “Encino Man”. Andrew Herzig, Sabrina, Paul Kalaghan and Brent Juilleret were “Team Hazmat”. Cory Mathews, Jess Mathews, Drew Burkhardt and Claudio Montiel competed as “Model Airplane Glue”. Junior Bill Seddelmeyer and Clinton Schena were “Strutter” (Gene Simmons was absent that day).

After thorough consideration by the elite team of judges, the verdict was clear:

• 1st – Encino Man, Belgian Dubbel, 151 pts
• 2nd – Model Airplane Glue, Vanilla Pepper Belgian Dubbel, 132 pts
• 3rd – Clappinators, ESB, 131 pts
• 4th – Strutter, Belgian Dubbel, 126 pts
• 5th – Team Hazmat, Munich Dunkel, 119 pts

Alex and Patrick wasted no time donning their bling medals and drinking from the victory chalice. As Alex would say “It only leaches lead and cadmium, I’ve had worse”!

We feasted on Tom and Rocky’s beef sausage wraps and co-host Aggie Bill and Dianna Hughen’s pulled pork sandwiches, swilled down with the competition beers and new homebrews from Tom and Paul H (kottbüssel), Craig Gann (M-80 IPA), Paul H (amber ale), Aggie Bill (cumin wit), Cory and Drew (pale ale) Claudio (barleywine) and Mark Quade (chipotle red ale). Interesting commercial beers included Mark Q’s Oskar Blue’s Old Chub and Dub’s Pale Ale and Phil Sims’ Choc Winter Stout (Oklahoma).

As the evening wore on, Rocky tried her best to keep Mike Wojdyla’s pyromania under control at the fire pit. As usual, random comments were uttered – you supply the context :

• Lou Needleman “My tongue is a palette” 
• Paul H “We don’t want to contaminate the tongue” 
• Paul H “You need hardness” 
• Drew “It’s coming out in a trickle” 
• Wild Bill “That’s what she said” 
• Travis “I used to get infections” 
• Patrick “I can’t feel my toes anymore” 
• Claudio “I had some Freetail yesterday” 
• Wild Bill “Me too -- Luke’s Mom” 
• Paul “That was the best head I’ve had all night” 
• Patrick “Trust the process. We’re deviants, but we didn’t deviate from the process” 

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 8-Feb-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Walt Crawford, Fruit/Smoked/Wood Aged competition, BJCP 20A, 22A-C) 
• 8-Mar-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Lou Needleman, brewing demonstration) 
• 12-Apr-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, pig roast, light hybrid beer competition, BJCP 6A-D) 
• 2-May-15: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate?, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 17-May-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (John Daniels?) 
• 14-Jun-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Nutting, English ESB/Pale ale competition, BJCP 8C) 
• 12-July-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, hosted by Paul Holder) 

Thanks again Tom, Rocky, Aggie Bill and Dianna, congratulations Alex and Patrick, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at the Crawford’s!

December 2014 Minutes

The December B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 14th was hosted by Carroll and Judy Pate. Club Vice President Sabrina Krueger called the meeting to order. As usual, no animals were harmed during the presentation of Carroll’s treasury report. We welcomed new member Daniel Fearn.

Member Kevin Ramler has accepted a position as art director of a museum in Farmington, New Mexico. We will miss Kevin and Abbie. Jason Merry has been advanced to Petty Officer First Class in the Coast Guard. Tom Freund reminded everyone not to miss next month’s meeting where we judge the Iron Mash XI beers, award the coveted bling medals and watch the winners drink from the trophy goblet.

As we enjoyed Carroll and Judy’s carnitas and beans, we consumed new homebrews from Craig Gann/Lou Needleman/Mike Wojdyla (80 shilling ale), Paul Holder (Imperial Belgian golden ale), Claudio Montiel (milk stout), Carroll (“half wit”) and Chris “Santa” Swanson (Northwest Pale Ale). Interesting commercial beers included Tom’s Lindeman’s Cassis Lambic, Craig’s Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Andrew Herzig and Sabrina’s Stone Go To IPA, Cerveceria Mexicana Queen of the Night Pale Ale and Left Coast Wake Up Dead Nitro Russian Imperial Stout and Lou Needleman’s Woodstock IPA, Brown Ale, Red Ale and Pumpkin Autumn Ale.

As the evening wore on, Carroll provided the comedic relief. As Doctor Lou examined Carroll’s injured toe, Carroll insisted “There’s nuthin’ wrong with it, except it hurts like hell!” Later he asked someone “Did you get some Guacamala?” Answer “Isn’t that a country?”

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 11-Jan-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XI judging) 
• 8-Feb-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Walt Crawford, Fruit/Smoked/Wood Aged competition, BJCP 20A, 22A-C) 
• 8-Mar-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Lou Needleman, brewing demonstration) 
• 12-Apr-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, pig roast, light hybrid beer competition, BJCP 6A-D) 
• 2-May-15: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate?, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 17-May-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (John Daniels?) 
• 14-Jun-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Nutting, English ESB/Pale ale competition, BJCP 8C) 
• 12-July-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, hosted by Paul Holder) 

Thanks again Carroll and Judy, good luck Kevin and Abbie, congratulations Jason, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Tom and Rocky’s!

November Minutes

The November B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 9th was hosted by the recently engaged Andrew Herzig and Sabrina Krueger. Club President Cory Mathews called the meeting to order. Treasurer Carroll Pate gave his usual positive report. We congratulated member Mark Woerner on his election as County Court at Law #4 Judge.

Paul Holder gave an update on Iron Mash XI. With this years’ selection of ingredients, Paul and Tom Freund challenged the five competing teams to break some brewing paradigms. First of all, a small quantity of liquid malt extract was included. This made it difficult to brew a high gravity “big beer”. Some teams solved this challenge by brewing less than five gallons. Secondly, the ingredients included only low alpha acid hops, making it difficult to brew an India pale ale. One way around this is to wait until the last ten minutes of the boil to add the extract, thereby maximizing hop extraction. Another curve ball thrown at the teams was that all the grains were dark, crystallized or caramelized, and thus low in diastatic power. There was no need, therefore, to mash the grains for an extended period – a simple 20 minute steeping would suffice. The final lesson is to declare a beer style per BJCP guidelines matching the beer as brewed, not the desired beer.

The competition this month was for barleywines, BJCP category 19B/19C. Judge Woerner’s American barleywine captured 1st place, Andrew and Sabrina took 2nd with their English barleywine and Mark Quade’s American barleywine came in 3rd. After all six competitions this year, cumulative scores are as follows:

• Wild Bill Lehfeld – 10 
• Mark Quade - 7 
• Mark Woerner – 7 
• Kevin Ramler – 5 
• Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger -- 2 
• Cory Mathews/Drew Burkhardt – 1 
• Chris Edwards – 1 

Wild Bill is thus B.A.S.H. Homebrewer of the Year for 2014. He wishes to thank his Mom, your Mom, Luke’s Mom and the members of The Academy.

As we spooned down Andrew and Sabrina’s Guiness stew in bread bowls, we consumed the competition beers and new homebrews from Cory and Drew (prickly pear ale), guest Daniel Fearn (pale ale/brown ale), Andrew and Sabrina (Bavarian bock), Paul (gluten-free pale ale), Carroll (wheat kölsch) and Chris Swanson (“Bewitched” amber ale/white IPA). Spotted commercial beers included Tom and Rocky’s Pedernales Robert Earl Keen Honey Pils and Samuel Adams Octoberfest.

Travis Clapp was a no-show, so the chickens were safe!

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 14-Dec-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration) 
• 11-Jan-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XI judging) 
• 8-Feb-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Walt Crawford, Fruit/Smoked/Wood Aged competition, BJCP 20A, 22A-C) 
• 8-Mar-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brewing demonstration) 
• 12-Apr-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate,light hybrid beer competition, BJCP 6A-D) 

Thanks again (and congratulations) Andrew and Sabrina, congratulations Mark and Wild Bill, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Carroll and Judy’s!

Oktober Minutes!

The October B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 12th was hosted by Claudio and Jennifer Montiel. Club President Cory Mathews called the meeting to order. Treasurer Carroll Pate gave his usual positive report. Tom Freund gave an update on the upcoming Iron Mash XI. Six teams are signed up for this years’ competition/brewing demonstration.

On a sad note, member Alberto Rodriguez passed away recently. The club observed a moment of silence in his honor.

The competition this month was for bock beer, BJCP category 5A-D. Wild Bill Lehfeld’s “Devastator” doppelbock captured 1st place, Mark Quade took 2nd with his pale doppelbock and Wild Bill’s “WTB?”Maibock came in 3rd. Two ridiculously strong eisbocks entered by a member who wishes to remain anonymous rounded out the field. After five of six competitions this year, cumulative scores are as follows:

• Wild Bill – 10 
• Mark Quade - 6 
• Kevin Ramler – 5 
• Mark Woerner – 4 
• Cory Mathews/Drew Burkhardt – 1 
• Chris Edwards – 1 

As we enjoyed Claudio’s delicious kalua pork with cabbage and rice, we consumed the competition beers and new homebrews from A-Train Almandarez/Patrick Vials/Max Klassen (hoppy farmhouse ale), John Daniels and Mike Wojdyla (brown ale), Brent Falwell (watermelon apple cider/black IPA/ginger hibiscus saison/orange cream ale), Paul Holder (American pale ale) and Claudio/Mike Wojdyla (raspberry wheat). Commercial brews spotted included Sierra Nevada Torpedo (Craig Gann) and Lazy Beach Blonde Ale and Session IPA (Cory Mathews).

The great mystery that came out of this meeting is will the Mathews name their baby boy Travis Paul or Paul Travis?

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 1-Nov-14: Iron Mash XI (B&Js Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 9-Nov-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger, barleywine competition, BJCP 19B/19C) 
• 14-Dec-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration) 
• 11-Jan-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XI judging) 
• 8-Feb-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Walt Crawford, Fruit/Smoked/Wood Aged competition, BJCP 20A, 22A-C) 
• 8-Mar-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brewing demonstration) 

Thanks again Claudio and Jennifer, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Iron Mash XI and at Andrew and Sabrina’s!

September Minutes 2014!

This past Sunday, Sarah and Adam Klager hosted September’s BASH meeting. They served brat’s boiled in beer and grilled in Adam’s egg. Elect Mark Woerner also contributed to the bratfest.

After a lengthy social hour, Professional Brewer President Cory and President of Vice Sabrina finally corralled everyone for a meeting. The treasurer’s report indicated we maintain a healthy balance which will easily fund our annual Iron Mash. Tom reported that he was prepared to sign up teams for the Iron Mash which will be held on Saturday, 1 November at the Staple’s B&J’s starting at noon. By the end of the meeting, several members had organized teams and were already plotting their strategy. Paul noted that everyone on a team must be a current BASH member (means you paid your dues for the current year, T). Teams not meeting this requirement will not be given ingredients. Cory reported that he was awaiting a new batch of etched kegs from Shanghai. Upon their arrival, he will be able to expand his distribution. Since the etching is being done in China, we all are eagerly awaiting to see if Cory has brand new Razy Beach Brewery kegs. Paul distributed the shirts ordered in July. From now on, anyone desiring a shirt, cap or underwear, can go to American Embroidery at 4738-B SPID behind Hess Fitness and have it custom made for you. Provide your own garment or purchase one off their shelf.

We welcomed two new members, Brent Juilleret and Daniel and Patricia Nutting. Welcome aboard.

Members Claudio and Motorcyle Mike completed a demonstration brewing. They brewed an English style raspberry ale with real fruit and significant fermentation help from Lazy Beach brewery and Cory. We will all get a chance to try this delicious brew next meeting.

There were several new beers. Walt brought his Amber Ale, Sabrina and Andrew had a Heineken clone, Tall Paul had a robust porter, Lou shared his Scottish Ale and Elect Mark showed off his new Export Stout (sure, Mark).

Some of the witticisms overheard include:

• When I say ‘we’ I mean different people. 
• I hope I can remember my password. 
• And from our head bean counter: I really don’t press anyone unless they owe. 

Upcoming BASH Events:

• 12-Oct-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Claudio Montiel, bock competition, BJCP 5A-D) 
• 1-Nov-14: Iron Mash XI (B&Js Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 9-Nov-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger, barleywine competition, BJCP 19B/19C) 
• 14-Dec-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration) 
• 11-Jan-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XI judging) 
• 8-Feb-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, Fruit/Smoked/Wood Aged competition, BJCP 20A, 22A-C) 

Thanks again Sarah and Adam, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Claudio’s!

August 2014 Meeting Minutes!

The August B.A.S.H. meeting and pool party was held on Sunday the 10th at Nick Nicoll’s condo on the island. Club President Cory Mathews called the meeting to order. Treasurer Carroll Pate gave another rosy report. Paul Holder mentioned that the pre-Classic Brew tasting scheduled for next month at Railroad Seafood Station was disallowed by the TABC. The shirts that Paul hoped to distribute at the meeting won’t be ready until Monday. American Embroidery on SPID now has the B.A.S.H. logo in their computer. You will be able to bring them a shirt in the future and get the logo embroidered for about $5. Thanks, Paul, for making new club nametags. If you don’t see yours in the box, let him know. In other Paul business, he has a contact with about 200 clean 12-ounce bottles to get rid of. See Paul for the phone number.

Tom Freund is looking for several 4-man brewing teams for November’s Iron Mash. Carroll mentioned that the Unitarian/Universalist Church will have beer/bratwurst tasting on September 1.

The competition this month was for Saison, BJCP category 16C. Mark Quade captured 1st place with 138 points. Kevin Ramler took home 2nd with 127 points. Wild Bill Lehfeld’s basil Saison took 3rd with 123 points and his citrus Saison finished 4th with 117 points. After four of six competitions this year, cumulative scores are as follows:

• Wild Bill – 6 
• Kevin Ramler – 5 
• Mark Quade - 4 
• Mark Woerner – 4 
• Cory Mathews/Drew Burkhardt – 1 
• Chris Edwards – 1 

As we feasted on Nick’s juicy burgers, we swilled down the competition beers and new homebrews from Tom (New Albion Munich Amber), Paul (wit), Wild Bill (Devastator Doppelbock), Jason Merry (New Zealand IPA/American IPA) and Kevin (hefeweizen). Commercial brews spotted included Green Flash Road Warrior Rye IPA (Adam Klager), Lazy Beach Bock/Real Ale Brewer’s Cut Signature Hop Pale Ale/Odell St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale (Cory Mathews), New Belgium Fat Tire (Nick) and Green Flash Le Freak (Carroll). We all missed Travis Clapp who was off fighting fires with the National Park Service. As Paul would say, “We always knew Travis was a hoser, but now he’s getting paid for it!”

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 14-Sep-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Adam Klager, brewing demonstration) 
• 12-Oct-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Claudio Montiel, bock competition, BJCP 5A-D) 
• 1-Nov-14: Iron Mash XI (B&Js Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 9-Nov-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger, barleywine competition, BJCP 19B/19C) 
• 14-Dec-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration) 
• 11-Jan-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XI judging) 
• 8-Feb-15: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, Fruit/Smoked/Wood Aged competition, BJCP 20A, 22A-C) 

Thanks again Nick, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Adam’s!