Iron Mash X

Iron Mash X was held on Saturday, November 2 at B&Js Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, under sunny, windy and gang-infested conditions. After fists flew, knives flashed, the police were called and the intruders fled, we got down to business.

Three teams competed in this years’ outdoor brewing demonstration. The “Bashturds” consisted of the unflappable Mark Woerner and the impetuous Travis Clapp. Team “Iron Crash” was made up of the irrepressible Patrick Viles and nefarious John Nicely. The indefatigable Cory and Jess Mathews, theunfermentable Drew Burkhardt and the always-industrious Claudio Montielcompeted as “Lazy Beaches”.

Each team received a box of ingredients and were given 30 minutes to concoct a recipe and declare a beer style. Grains included unmalted wheat, flaked maize, oatmeal, roasted barley, crystal malt and carafa. Light dried malt extract (DME) rounded out the sugar sources. Four types of hop pellets were included. Possible flavoring adjuncts included lemongrass, coriander and chipotle peppers. The teams supplied their own yeast.

One team chose to make an oatmeal stout, one selected chipotle oatmeal stout and the third opted for chipotle English pale ale. The propane burners were then fired up and the brewing commenced. Which team made which beer? Which beer will win the coveted Iron Mash Cup and secure bling medals for the winning team members? You’ll have to attend the January B.A.S.H. meeting to find out (and to drink the beers). See you then!

P.S. – Two weeks after pumpkins were smashed outside B&Js in celebration of Oktoberfest, a volunteer pumpkin patch has sprouted. The questions remains, whofertilized the seeds, Travis?