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!

JULY 2014 Minutes

The July B.A.S.H. meeting was held on Sunday the 13th at the B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate. New club President Cory Mathews called the meeting to order and welcomed new members Alex “A-Train” Almandarez, Nick Barela and Paul Kalaghan. Treasurer Carroll Pate was off embezzlin’ again, but sent his henchman Bob “Bullwhip” Davis to collect dues for the new fiscal year. Most members present fearfully paid up.

Paul Holder began taking orders for B.A.S.H. t-shirts ($10)/polo shirts ($16) and ladies tank tops ($14). A 50% deposit is required to order. We approved an expenditure of $50 to have an embroidery shop enter our club logo into their computer. This will allow members to walk in with their own clothing and get the logo embroidered for $4. We also approved an expenditure of $100 to renew our American Homebrewers Association (AHA) dues.

There was no competition or brewing demonstration this month. We wolfed down B&J’s pizza courtesy of Paul. New homebrews included pale ale by Drew Burkhardt/Cory Mathews, coconut porter, pale ale and Irish red ale by Ruben Cantu, chipotle amber and Cubano ale by Paul Holder, Big Brew American pale ale by Aggie Bill Hughen and altbier and peach ginger blonde ale by Kevin Ramler. Drew and Cory also supplied a bottle of Branch Line Evil Owl beer.

Everyone was well-behaved and relaxed, until Travis Clapp started dribbling down Paul’s leg again …

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 10-Aug-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Nick Nicoll pool party, Saison competition, BJCP 16C) 
• 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 B&J’s and Paul, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Nick Nicoll’s pool!

June 2014 Minutes!

The June B.A.S.H. meeting was held on Sunday the 8th at the home of Danna Sharpe in Port Aransas. Club President Adam Klager called the meeting to order and welcomed new member Zack Romo. We all congratulated Cory and Jess Mathews on the successful launch of Lazy Beaches Brewery. Treasurer Carroll Pate reported a positive treasury balance at the end of the fiscal year.

Speaking of fiscal years, the new one begins in July. Annual dues of $20 can be paid to Carroll at the next meeting. He prefers checks made out to Bay Area Society of Homebrewers but will accept cold, hard cash. Officers for the new year were nominated and conscripted by voice vote – President Cory Mathews, Vice President Sabrina Krueger, Secretary Wild Bill Lehfeld, Treasurer Carroll Pate and Webmaster Erik Hinz. It was the perfect time for Travis Clapp to stage a coup, but he was allegedly cavorting with inbred swamp men in East Texas.

In other business, Paul Holder reviewed existing homebrew laws. He will be taking orders for B.A.S.H. shirts at the next meeting, requiring a 50% deposit. He also mentioned that CC Beer Talk approached us to do a beer tasting before the Classic Brew in September, probably 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. the day of the show. Alex Hinojosa would host the tasting at Railroad Seafood Station downtown, assuming TABC approval. Several members expressed interest. Tom Freund issued a call to form teams for November’s Iron Mash competition.

The competition this month was for German wheat and rye beers, BJCP categories 15A – D. Wild Bill’s weizenbock and roggenbier captured 1st and 2nd places, with scores of 147 and 141. Mark Quade’s hefeweizen took 3rd with 124 points and Paul’s finished with 110 points. With three of six competitions complete, cumulative scores are as follows:

Wild Bill – 5

Mark Woerner – 4

Kevin Ramler – 3

Cory Mathews/Drew Burkhardt – 1

Chris Edwards – 1

Mark Quade - 1

We feasted on Danna’s shrimp enchiladas and chicken pasta by John Milan (who’s STILL NOT DEAD). In addition to competition beers, we enjoyed new homebrews by Chris Edwards (pale ale/Big Brew imperial Russian stout), Craig Gann (imperial IPA), Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger (bock), Paul (chipotle amber ale/ESB) and Jess Mathews (“smorgasbord ale”). John was spotted with Warsteiner Dunkel, Tom with Clown Shoes Muffin Top and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Rocky Freund with Samuel Adams Summer Ale.

Random overheard utterances included …

“I didn’t even get any!”

“Just dribble a little down my leg!”

“It works on a John Deere!”

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 13-July-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (B&J’s Pizza on Staples hosted by Paul Holder, brewing demonstration, pay dues) 
• 2-Aug-14: Mead Day (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 10-Aug-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Nick Nicoll pool party, Saison competition, BJCP 16C) 
• 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) 

Thanks again Danna, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at B&J’s!