October 2017 Minutes

Jack and Karen Heim hosted the October B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 8th. El Presidente Mike Wojdyla opened the meeting and welcomed former members from the 1990’s Dale and Liz Loveland, who rejoined the club.  Treasurer Tom Freund reported another healthy account balance.

In old business, VP for Competitions Daniel Fearn reported results from the online survey. Responses totaled 33, of which 50% have entered at least one club competition, most of whom enter 1 or 2 of the 6 annual competitions. Most people entered a competition because they already had a beer in that style or because they liked the style and decided to brew for that competition. At least 80% of those who entered competitions liked receiving feedback on their beers.

Tom gave an update on Novembers Iron Mash team brewing competition. Tom collected team rosters by the end of the meeting.

In new business, Daniel led a long discussion on proposed changes to our in-club competitions, with several members offering their two cents worth. The goal of the changes is to increase participation, give written feedback to all entrants to improve their future beers and give our certified judges opportunities to advance in the BJCP judging hierarchy. If we notify BJCP 30 days in advance and pay a fee, we can hold a sanctioned competition resulting in points for the certified judges. The “best of show” winner would get a mention in Zymurgy magazine. Sanctioned competitions will require at least 12 beers.

One motion was made, seconded and approved to move the judging offsite with beers turned in before or at the nominal competition meeting. Certified judges and other members would score the beers at a later date. Results would be announced (and score sheets provided) at the following meeting. Another motion was approved to allow beer styles not listed in the 2018 competition schedule to be entered in those competitions. All beers would be scored and the “best of show” would be eligible for mention in Zymurgy.

The competition this month was for pale malty European lagers (BJCP 4A-C). Beers were turned in and the results will be announced at the November meeting.

After the meeting adjourned, we filled up on Greek gyros. We enjoyed three of the beers originally brewed for the Classic Brew – Paul Holder’s Belgian IPA, a double IPA by the 4J’s of Mathis and Wild Bill Lehfeld’s white IPA. Other new homebrews were provided by Chris Ackman (brown ale) and the 4J’s (porter). Interesting commercial beers included Brad Klager’s Jester King RU55 Barrel Aged Sour Red and Buffalo Bayou Figaro, Figaro, Fiigaro Quadrupel With Figs, Lou Needleman’s Lazy Magnolia Southern Hospitality IPA, Mark Quade’s Innis & Gunn Hopped Boubon Cask Ale and Karbachtoberfest and Jeremy Van Horn’s Foam Brewers Built To Spill DIPA.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

4-Nov-17: Iron Mash XIV (team brewing competition, B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate)

12-Nov-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Eric Linssen, brown British beer competition, BJCP 13A-C)

10-Dec-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration)

14-Jan-18: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XIV judging)

11-Feb-18: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, European sour ale competition, BJCP 23A-F)

Thanks again Jack and Karen, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Iron Mash and Eric Linssen’s !

September 2017

This month's minutes were taken by Jessica Fearn, who is neither as observant nor as clever as Wild Bill.  What follows is her best attempt at approximating the exuberance the jet-setter has for meeting minutes.

Mark Woerner hosted the B.A.S.H. meeting on September 10th.  President Mike Wojdyla called the meeting to order, and treasurer Tom reported that all the money is still in the bank.

In old business, Paul Holder reminded members that Embroid Me owns our logo and will embroid it on a shirt you bring in or overpay them to sell you.  VP for Competitions Daniel Fearn announced the changes to upcoming club competitions that will move us toward the future vision for club contests set forth at the competitions meeting on September 7.  

Judging will no longer take place during the stomach-growling hour before meetings.  Instead, judging will happen offsite and provide actual specific written feedback to all brewers who enter.  The new group of BJCP ranked judges will take the lead on judging, using written BJCP scoresheets to provide the best possible notes for contest entries.  Anyone interested in judging is welcome to participate, and the ranked judges are are ready to provide guidance about judging procedures to anyone willing to judge.  

The October contest will still be Pale Malty Ales, BJCP styles 4A-C, and bottles for the contest can be dropped off at Liquid Town on Airline between October 2nd and October 7th, or they can be dropped off at the October meeting.  The judging date is TBD, but winners will be announced at the November meeting.

The November contest styles have been opened up to include British Beers in BJCP categories 11A-C,13A-C,16A-D, and 17A-D.  For more contest information, check out the competition section of the website.  

Since there will be a large time gap left where everyone would normally sit around wondering what is taking them so long to judge, there will now be brewing education talks for each of the meetings with contests.  In October, Paul Holder will teach us everything we need to know about extract brewing.

In new business, Tom and Paul informed us that ancient scrolls have predicted that Iron Mash XIV is coming up in November.  Tom is taking team submissions starting now, and all teams have to be in by next month so the diabolical duo can begin assembling the most treacherous, most fearsome, most 2017est ingredients the teams have ever faced.  Paul reminded us that per the club's vote last year, we will alternate between announced styles and total mystery boxes and that this was a mystery year.

In his role as local homebrew supply baron, Paul announced a sale on yeast at Liquid Town on Airline.  During the power outages caused by Hurricane Harvey, the supply of yeast came to cool room temperature, so he has slashed prices and suggested making starters.

As an update to last month, the club will no longer be serving at the B.A.S.H. bar during Classic Brew due to some TABC requirements that were announced by the event hosts after last month's meeting.  Club members wishing to be tappers can still take the TABC Server course online and volunteer at the event for free admission.

The charming and beautiful (and definitely not shrill and yelling, no matter what you heard) VP for Plans and Programs Jessica Fearn announced the new B.A.S.H. text message reminder system.  For meeting updates, text "@BASHCC" to 81010.  For competitions updates, both B.A.S.H. and in the wider world, text "@BASHCOMP" to 81010.  For beer judging updates, text "@BASHJUDGE" to 81010.

We are also conducting our first annual online member survey.  Click here to tell us what we're getting right, what we're getting wrong, and how we can improve.  We will begin announcing the results of the survey at the October meeting.

Cory Mathews suggested that we start a new annual tradition of brewing a B.A.S.H. beer at Lazy Beach to be served in their tap room.

After the meeting adjourned, we feasted on a menagerie of animals killed by Mark Woerner.  We also enjoyed homebrews from Paul Holder (Cubano, just to thumb his nose at Hurricane Irma), Aggie Bill (Porter), Philip Mooney (Weird Hoppy Bock Thing) and Rusty Keyes (Daughter's Wedding Saison). Interesting commercial beers....were probably there too, but I forgot to take note of any of them.  This is why we pay WIld Bill the big bucks.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

28-Sep- 17: KEDT-TV Classic Brew

2-Oct-17 to 7-Oct-17: October contest drop-off at Liquid Town on Airline

8-Oct-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Jack Heim, pale malty European lager competition, BJCP 4A-C)

4-Nov-17: Iron Mash XIV (team brewing competition)

6-Nov-17 to 11-Nov-17: November contest drop-off at Liquid Town on Airline

12-Nov-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, British beer competition, BJCP 11A-C, 13A-C, 16A-D, 17A-D)

10-Dec-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration)

Thanks again Mark, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Jack Heim’s !

August 2017 Minutes

Brad Klager hosted the August B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 13th. El Presidente Mike Wojdyla opened the meeting and welcomed new member Jorin Leija (one of the Four J’s of Mathis). Treasurer Tom Freund reported a healthy account balance and reminded people to pay 2017-2018 dues.

In old business, VP for Policies and Programs Jessica Fearn announced that the club excursion to the CC Hooks baseball game will be August 24, appropriately a “Thirsty Thursday”. Use discount code “BASH” to buy tickets on the Hooks website. Speaking of websites, the club website is back up and running thanks to Tom. Our domain name is paid up for 3 years.

Will Seddelmeyer gave an update on the Classic Brew. Unfortunately, in the days following the meeting, some information came to light that means B.A.S.H. will not be serving kegs of homebrew at the event using our portable bar due to insurance/liability issues. Members can still sign up at the September meeting to be volunteer tappers.

Steve Cook reported that our BJCP judge certification class was one of only twelve in the US this year. The following six members are now recognized judges – Daniel and Jessica Fearn, Paul Holder, Eric Linssen, Cory Mathews and Jeremy Van Horn. Congratulations to the judges and to Steve for leading the class and getting our expenses reimbursed!

In new business, Jake Resio reported on a new beer magazine called Brewd that is taking articles from homebrewers. Google “Brewd” if you’re interested. Paul Holder reported that Erik Hinz and fiancée Maggie are inviting B.A.S.H. members to their wedding. Stay tuned to find out where and when.

The competition this month was for British Golden Ale/Australian Sparkling Ale (BJCP 12A/12B). The judges awarded Wild Bill Lehfeld’s “Ned Kelly” Australian Sparkling Ale a score of 141 and his “007” British Golden Ale a score of 129. As Wild Bill was the only entrant, he earned one point. After four of six club competitions, the cumulative standings are as follows:

• Wild Bill – 13 points
• Jeremy – 3 points
• Greg Sawyer – 1 point
• Mark Quade – 1 point
• John Daniels – 1 point

After the meeting adjourned, we devoured Brad’s smoked pork and grilled shrimp. Besides the competition beers, we enjoyed new homebrews from Steve (Belgian dubbel), Paul (amber ale), The Four J’s (Kölsch), Erik (Northeast IPA/Honey Wit), Phil Mooney (Big Brew Oktoberfest) and Will (Bretted saison). Interesting commercial beers included Brad’s New Braunfels Schwartz Sour Dunkel Hefe, Cory’s “Origin One” Belgian Pale Ale, Phil’s Jester King Barrel Aged Old Brown Oud Bruin and Will’s Jester King Collaboration Rare Corals.

The following dubious comments were overheard:

• Paul – “Hey Jeremy, I’ll show you mine if you show me yours!”
• Cory -- ”Wild Bill, is that your hard disk on the ground?” Wild Bill – “Hey, I’ve got your hard disk!” Cory – Sir, that’s a floppy disk!”

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)
• 28-Sep- 17: KEDT-TV Classic Brew
• 8-Oct-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Jack Heim, pale malty European lager competition, BJCP 4A-C)
• 4-Nov-17: Iron Mash XIV (team brewing competition)
• 12-Nov-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brown British beer competition, BJCP 13A-C)
• 10-Dec-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration)

Thanks again Brad, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Mark Woerner’s !

July Minutes 2017

The July B.A.S.H. meeting was held on Sunday the 9th at B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, hosted by Paul Holder. Incoming President Mike Wojdyla introduced the 2017-2018 officers – Jessica Fearn (Vice President of Policies and Plans), Daniel Fearn (Vice President of Competitions), Wild Bill Lehfeld (Secretary) and Tom Freund (Treasurer). We welcomed a record number of new members, eight to be exact – Greg Anderson, Corky Karcher, Rhonalin Middleton, Larry Sommers, Steven Spencer and The Three J’s from Mathis (Joel Bradley, Jay Poole and Jake Resio).

In new business, B.A.S.H. has been invited to participate in this years’ KEDT-TV Classic Brew fundraising event on Thursday, September 28. We will serve beers from our 5-tap portable bar. The theme this year is IPAs. Paul Holder passed around a sign-up sheet for those wishing to brew and donate a 5-gallon keg. Donors get into the event free of charge. A few IPA styles were still unclaimed at meetings’ end, so if you’re interested contact Paul. As always, volunteer tappers get into the event for half price.

Jessica Fearn is putting together a trip to a Corpus Christi Hooks baseball game. Contact Jessica if you’re interested. One of our past presidents, Jason Merry, is transferring to Cape Cod with the Coast Guard. We will miss Jason and family and wish them success in their new location.

Paul gave a presentation on the suitability of Corpus Christi water for brewing, based on the City’s 2016 water quality report. The measures of interest to brewers are calcium, magnesium, total alkalinity, sulfates, chloride and sodium. Desired/actual concentrations in parts per million are as follows -- calcium 100-150 ppm/60, magnesium 0-40/8.5, total alkalinity 0-100/141, sulfates 50-150 (malty beer), 150-400 (hoppy beer)/65, chloride 50-150/131 and sodium 0-100/75.

After the meeting adjourned, we gorged ourselves on B&J’s pizza, courtesy of Paul. We washed it down with the IPA from the Big Brew as well as B&J’s vast array of draft and bottled beers. New homebrews included Walt Crawford’s “Hank’s Hefe”/”Hop Head” Double IPA, Paul’s amber ale, The Three J’s Mexican lager/English IPA/American ale, Corky’s American lager/bock/European lager, Carroll Pate/Chris Swanson’s brown ale and Larry Sommers’ English porter/watermelon wheat. Leave it to Paul to come up with the quote of the night – “My tongue’s not sophisticated enough to tell the difference”!

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 13-Aug-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Brad Klager, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)
• 28-Sep- 17: KEDT-TV Classic Brew
• 8-Oct-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Jack Heim, pale malty European lager competition, BJCP 4A-C)
• 4-Nov-17: Iron Mash XIV (team brewing competition)
• 12-Nov-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brown British beer competition, BJCP 13A-C)

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

June 2017 Meeting Minutes

Will Lee hosted the June B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday, 11 June at his home in Corpus Christi. It should come as no surprise that El Presidente Daniel Fearn was again missing. This time he sent word that his calendar failed him but he would show up in time for a meeting next week if we had one. Vice President Mike Wojdyla again assumed the heavy mantle of the meeting and competition and vowed that he would take action to have this situation resolved. See Paragraph 3 of these minutes.

Mike immediately began collecting bottles and recruiting judges for this month’s Extract only competition. In the meantime, we welcomed guests Steve Spencer, Sean O’Connor and, Will’s neighbor, Tony Barrera. New beers were served by Greg Sawyer (California Common), Will (Brown Ale and IPA), and Victor Aguilar (his Big Brew Saison). There was lots of commercial beer also however only a check of Will’s garbage will show which one’s we tried.

After the six entries in the competition were judged, Mike announced the results. In third place with 97 points was John Daniel’s Red Rye, second place with 137 was Tahoe Willy’s (Wild Bill) Wee Heavy and the top spot went to Jeremy Van Horn’s Old Ale with a whopping 164 points. Mike then immediately launched into meeting mode and we determined that our Treasury, guarded by Treasurer for Life Carroll Pate, was still solvent. Mike solicitied ideas to spend some of the funds. We had no outstanding old business and moved quickly to the only new business of the day, nominations for elections for the next 12 months officers. Head of the nominating committee Paul Holder reported a new structure for the next year. 6 Positions, President, VP for Competitions, VP for Plans and Programs, Secretary, Treasurer and Webmaster. As this idea was looked upon favorably, he recommended the following: for Webmaster Erik Hinz, Treasurer Tom Freund, Secretary Wild Bill Lehfeld, VP Competition Daniel Fearn, VP Plans and Programs Jessica Fearn and President Mikey Wojdyla. The election was decided by acclimation and Mike successfully deposed Daniel .

A couple of oh by the ways. We can still call Carroll Treasurer for Life as his sage advice will often be sought by all. VP for Plans and Programs will be responsible for publicity for club events such as Big Brew and Iron Mash, recruiting brewers for our demo brews at meetings, coordinating content on the website and Facebook and will run meetings in the President’s absence.

With all formal activities concluded, we feasted on Will’s pulled pork (two versions) and discussed brewing techniques into the night. Some members availed themselves of Will’s beautiful pool and only one tried to go skinny dipping. His mommy quickly brought that to a halt. When the beer ran out, we all left with thoughts of next month’s annual meeting at B&J’s, Staples. Couple of special rules for that one: homebrew is allowed but must remain inside the taped in area. NO COMMERCIAL BEER may be brought because you may purchase draft and bottled beer there. The meeting is not open to the general public, you must be a member or and invited guest to attend. And, it’s dues time so please bring your $20 cash or check only to make Tom’s life easier.


Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 9-Jul-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate hosted by Paul Holder)
• 13-Aug-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Brad Klager, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)
• 8-Oct-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, pale malty European lager competition, BJCP 4A-C)
• 4-Nov-17: Iron Mash XIV (team brewing competition)
• 12-Nov-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brown British beer competition, BJCP 13A-C)

Thanks again, Will and see you all at B&J’s on July 9th, 4PM.

May Minutes 2017

John and Nikki Daniels hosted the May B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 21st at their home in Rockport. El Presidente Daniel Fearn is missing again! Curiously, Vice President Mike Wojdyla is back, grinning from ear-to-ear and claiming to know nothing about Daniel’s whereabouts, ransom, Bitcoin or the Dark Web. Hmmm…..

“Mystery Mike” called the meeting to order, thanking hosts John and Nikki. Treasurer Carroll Pate assured us the clubs finances are secure for a change. If anyone is interested in attending a fish fry on Memorial Day, see Carroll for tickets. Wild Bill Lehfeld reported that B.A.S.H. pint glasses for new members will be engraved this week and will be available at the June meeting. Paul Holder thanked everyone who participated in the AHA’s Big Brew earlier this month. Since the club supplied ingredients for the Oktoberfest lager, American IPA and Saison, we get to drink the results. The Saison may be ready in time for the June meeting. Mike will submit a proposed 2019 competition schedule, to be discussed and voted on at the next meeting. Paul has volunteered to chair the nominating committee for fiscal year 2017 – 2018 officers. If you’re interested in serving on the committee or as an officer contact Paul. The election will take place at the June meeting, with the new officers assuming their duties in July.

After the meeting adjourned, we were treated to Nikki’s INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS taco salad. New homebrews were a little scarce this month, featuring Tom Freund’s hoppy amber ale, Paul’s American IPA, Eric Linssen’s “Wittish” ale and Jeremy Van Horn’s New England IPA. Interesting commercial brews included Bryan Cook’s Real Ale Hans’ Pils and Bill and Dianna Hughen’s Moonlight Meadery “Coffee in Bed” mead and “Them Little Apples” cider. Entertainment was provided by Rocky Freund – she showed us how to dance with a wasp, until host John ended the festivities chemically.


Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 11-Jun-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (William Lee, extract competition, BJCP open category)
• 9-Jul-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate hosted by Paul Holder)
• 13-Aug-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Brad Klager, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)
• 8-Oct-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, pale malty European lager competition, BJCP 4A-C)
• 4-Nov-17: Iron Mash XIV (team brewing competition)
• 12-Nov-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brown British beer competition, BJCP 13A-C)

Thanks again John and Nikki, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at William Lee’s !

Big Brew 2017 Minutes

B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate hosted the 2017 Corpus Christi edition of the American Homebrewers Association’s Big Brew. Three teams from the Bay Area Association of Homebrewers (B.A.S.H.) brewed the AHA’s selected recipes for this year in an outdoor, public demonstration. The B.A.S.H. canopy was fully erect by 11:00 a.m. to provide shade.

Two new members joined the fold during the event – Sean O’Connor of the U.S. Navy and Stephen Reddin. Stephen joined Philip Mooney to brew an all-grain, decoction mash version of the AHA’s recipe for “Klang Freudenfest” Oktoberfest lager. Paul Holder and Mark Quade made an extract version of “Rushmore” American IPA. The third AHA recipe, “Battre L’oie “ Saison was produced by Vic Aguilar, Mark Anthony Gonzalez and Rusty Keyes. At high noon, El Presidente Daniel Fearn led us in the traditional global synchronized toast.

The brews went well, with the only fiasco being Paul’s hurried trip home to fetch his hops. Naturally, Paul uttered the only ridiculous comment of the day – “I need a female partner, my thermometer’s not long enough!” By 3:15 the extract beers were done. The all-grain brew took another two hours. The finished beers can be sampled at the June and July meetings.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 21-May-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (NOTE: 3RD SUNDAY, John Daniels)
• 11-Jun-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (William Lee, extract competition, BJCP open category)
• 9-Jul-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, hosted by Paul Holder)
• 13-Aug-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Brad Klager, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)
• 8-Oct-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, pale malty European lager competition, BJCP 4A-C)
• 4-Nov-17: Iron Mash XIV (team brewing competition)
• 12-Nov-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brown British beer competition, BJCP 13A-C)

See you at The Daniels’!