April 2014 BASH Minutes

Soon to be Judge Mark Woerner did his typical outstanding job of hosting our meeting this month. For a first, we dined on something Mark didn’t kill. But he assured me that he did, in fact, buy the bratwurst himself. The other members of the club did an over the top job of side dishes so anyone that went away hungry had only themselves to blame. The Dueling Devilled Eggs were a particularly big hit going early.

President Adam called the meeting to order when we realized that we couldn’t eat until we got the meeting over. Treasurer until death Carroll reported that he had forgotten the bank statement (again) but that we had a sufficiency in the treasury and he would miss the Big Brew due to a quick trip to the Bahamas. I’m sure those two facts are completely unrelated. Travis announced that he had directed his lawyer to take care of his dues and is now current (for the next 2 months).

Paul reminded everyone that the Big Brew would be held at B&J’s, Staples location, on Saturday, May 3. We will begin at 11 AM and go until we have completed the 3 AHA recipes. This is another opportunity for the public to see how to homebrew so invite your friends and neighbors. Knives will not be allowed due to previous problems. Aggie Bill and Tall Paul will do an extract version of an American Pale Ale, Young Chris will brew an Imperial Stout from extract and Motorcycle Mike and First Chris will attempt an all grain version of a Schwartzbier. Remember that we will toast home brewing clubs around the world at noon, Central in unison with all other Big Brews.

In other old/new business, we cheered the final licensing of Lazy Beach Brewery, owned and operated by members, Cory and Jess, and Drew. We learned of the opening of another South Texas brewery in Goliad and then held this month’s competition, American IPA and Imperial IPA. As usual, brewery owner Cory ran the competition featuring commercial examples, 8 member-brewed IPA’s and 2 IIPA’s. The judges all suffered tongue fatigue, which prevented them from fully enjoying Mark’s brats, but finally announced the results. In first place was Kevin with an IPA, second was host Mark with a barley wine. No he actually brewed an IIPA. Young Chris took third place.

We had several newbies attend most of who contributed to Carroll. Zach, another Paul, Craig, Sean, Josh (Jackie’s brother), Josh (not Jackie’s brother) and Brent. Welcome and hope to see you all at the Big Brew to pick up and give pointers.

I was lazy and didn’t categorize all the new and commercial beers at the meeting; so, if you brought it you can bring it again next time and we will recognize it then. And the next meeting will be to the north, in Rockport, at the home of Nikki and John Daniels. As always, bring a chair, glass, side dish and beer.

I encourage you to car pool so we conserve fuel for our burners. Prosit!

March 2014 Minutes!

The March B.A.S.H. meeting was held on Sunday the 9th at Youga Yoga Studio in downtown Corpus Christi, hosted by Lindy Burns. The club’s President and Vice President were missing, so we drafted Paul Holder to run the meeting. Paul began by welcoming new member Walt Crawford. Treasurer Carroll Pate reported that the club balance was back up to healthy levels after an influx of dues and a dearth of expenses.

We signed a sympathy card for Theresa Thomas, in memory of Allston Crawford. Member John Milan is recovering well from his recent surgery. That’s right, he’s STILL NOT DEAD. The Grim Reaper came a’ callin’ and John sent that sickle-carrying wraith packing (but not before selling him a couple of pounds of beef jerky).

The Big Brew, a celebration of National Homebrew Day is coming up on Saturday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. This outdoor brewing demonstration is open to the public. Three recipes have been provided by the American Homebrew Association this year – a pale ale, a schwarzbier and an imperial stout. The club will provide the ingredients, and the completed beers will be consumed at the July meeting. Paul and Aggie Bill Hughen have volunteered to brew the pale ale. Kyle Hotz will brew a 15-gallon batch and cask-condition half. If you are interested in brewing at this event, contact Paul. We need to finalize plans at the April meeting. Speaking of the April meeting, host Mark Woerner will provide bratwurst, buns, sauerkraut, mustard and onions. His suggested sides for guests to bring are beans, salad and potato salad (especially German).

There was no competition this month. While we enjoyed a variety of food, we were treated to new homebrews from Robin Baker/Christyn Overstake (dry, still wit-flavored mead), John Cicola (amber ale), Chris Edwards (dry-hopped IPA and porter), Paul (amber ale) and Josh Stacey (red ale). Interesting commercial beers included Danna Sharpe’s Saint Arnold Bishops Barrel No 6 Imperial Pumpkin Stout, Chris Swanson’s Rogue Russian Imperial Stout and Rogue Yellow Snow IPA and Mark Woerner’s Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu. As we watched whirling dervishes perform with hula hoops, Lindy turned off the fluorescent lights and turned on the cluster of hanging ceramic lamps created by member Kevin Ramler. What a show!

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 13-Apr-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, American IPA/Imperial IPA competition, BJCP 14B/14C) 
• 3-May-14: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 18-May-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (3rd Sunday, John and Nikki Daniels) 
• 8-June-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Danna Sharpe, German wheat/rye beer competition, BJCP 15A-D) 
• 13-July-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Paul Holder, brewing demonstration) 
• 2-Aug-14: Mead Day (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 10-Aug-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, Saison competition, BJCP 16C) 
• 14-Sep-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, 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 Lindy, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Mark Woerner’s (as always, with your own glass)!

February 2014 Minutes!

The February B.A.S.H. meeting was held on Sunday the 9th at Railroad Seafood Station in downtown Corpus Christi. Proprietor Alex Hinojosa couldn’t make it due to a death in the family, but he graciously provided staff to host our gathering. On another sad note, we mourned the loss of longtime member Allston Crawford, who passed away in November. Member John Milan will have surgery this week.

President Adam Klager called the meeting to order and welcomed new members Frank and Ed Aleman (Rockport) and Josh Stacey (USMC). Treasurer Carroll Pate reported that the club balance was down a little bit due to expenditures and uncollected dues from several members. An anonymous voice from the audience (let’s call him “Paul” for a change) shouted “Travis is in arrears”. An unsuccessful search was launched for the offending Mr. Clapp. “Paul” said “Last time I saw him, he was behind a girls’ locker room testing that pair of x-ray specs he bought from an ad in the back of a comic book”. Clean it up, Travis! Guest Kyle Bauer volunteered to host the March meeting at his yoga studio downtown.

The competition this month was for robust porter, BJCP category 12B. Defending Homebrewer of the Year Mark Woerner collected 2 points for 1st, while Vice President and Competition Director Cory Mathews scored one point for 2nd place. Mark’s other porter took 3rd.

We washed down our dinner with RSS’s delicious cocoa stout and several new homebrews – besides the competition beers we enjoyed an IPA by Drew Burkhardt/Cory, an amber ale by Bob Davis/Carroll/Chris Swanson, a hoppy Imperial red by Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger, a “Brambling Viking” ale by Brad Klager, an altbier by Kevin Ramler and a porter by Roberto Vela. The club provided Anchor Porter and Deschutes Black Butte Porter as commercial examples for the competition. Other commercial beverages included Brad’s Jester King Commercial Suicide, Cannibal Chris Schofield’s The Bruery 4 Calling Birds and Danna Sharpe’s Darcy’s Vineyard Grape Blackberry Jalapeño Pepper Wine.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 9-Mar-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Youga Yoga Studio, no competition or demonstration) 
• 13-Apr-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, American IPA/Imperial IPA competition, BJCP 14B/14C) 
• 3-May-14: Big Brew (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 18-May-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (3rd Sunday, John Daniels) 
• 8-June-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, German wheat/rye beer competition, BJCP 15A-D) 
• 13-July-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Paul Holder, brewing demonstration) 
• 2-Aug-14: Mead Day (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 10-Aug-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, Saison competition, BJCP 16C) 
• 14-Sep-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, 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 Alex, Rest In Peace Allston, get well John, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Youga Yoga Studio (as always, with your own glass)!

January 2014 Minutes!

Tom and Rocky Freund hosted the January B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 12th at their home in Flour Bluff. As usual, the first hour or so involved a lot of beer drinking and socializing. Mike “Spudmeister” Wojdyla kept up a steady supply of homemade potato and sweet potato chips. Paul Holder forgot to bring his past Iron Mash bling medals, but “Old Bullfarts” teammate Dr. Mark Quade was all pimped out with his three medals.

Club President Adam Klager eventually called the meeting to order and welcomed new member Phil Sims. Embezzler-in-Chief Carroll Pate was AWOL, so we were spared his droll treasurer’s report. Webmeister Erik Hinz requested a volunteer to babysit our Facebook page. Travis Clapp accepted the responsibility. He was promptly admonished by an anonymous club member (let’s call him “Paul”) to use the page to promote the club, not to pick up chicks. As if!

Next months’ meeting host Alex Hinojosa invited everyone to his Railroad Seafood Station restaurant and brewery. He currently has blonde ale on tap and is awaiting label approval on a chocolate stout and a peach wheat. His restaurant will be closed the day of the meeting, but we can bring in food and homebrew.

After the meeting was adjourned, an elite team of judges (four old guys) retired into Tom’s workshop to evaluate this years’ Iron Mash beers. Three teams showed up at the B&J’s Pizza on Staples the first Saturday in November for the brewing contest. The “Bashturds” consisted of 2013 Homebrewer of the Year Mark Woerner and the ubiquitous Mr. Clapp. Patrick Viles and John “Human Punching Bag” Nicely competed as “Iron Crash”. The “Lazy Beaches”were the third team -- Cory and Jess Mathews, Claudio Montiel and Drew Burkhardt. After a couple of months to ferment and finish the beers, Judgment Day has arrived.

The outcome was never in doubt this year. The “Lazy Beaches” proved that you should never ferment a beer in a refrigerator unless it’s plugged in. Their English ESP (extra strength phenolic) was plagued with a few off-flavors – think rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, fingernail polish remover and model airplane glue. Total score -- 79 points. “Iron Crash” made an oatmeal stout that scored a solid 106 points. It was good, but no match for the winning oatmeal stout of the “Bashturds”, which totaled 132 points. Mark Woerner was low key in accepting his Iron Mash X bling medal. Travis, on the other hand, went hog wild. He posed for victory photos wearing his medal, holding the Iron Mash cup, drinking from the cup and wearing the cup as a hat. In his 20-minute acceptance speech, he thanked his Mom, your Mom, Luke’s Mom, the decrepit judges and all the little people. Said Clapp “OK, I failed in my bid to become the new Pope. But with my victory today in Iron Mash X, I have secured my place amongst the Worlds’ Great Brewers”! An anonymous club member (let’s call him “Paul”) remarked that “Charlie Papazian must be quaking in his boots”!

Co-hosts Aggie Bill and Dianna Hughen provided pulled pork sandwiches. New homebrews were supplied by Drew and Cory (pumpkin ale/witbier), Ruben Cantu (amber ale/pale ale/rauchbier), Chris Edwards (amber ale), Tom/Mike/Aggie Bill (lemon weiss), Paul (dampfbier), Aggie Bill (cranberry lambic), Jason Merry (Belgian petit orange), Claudio (Belgian strong ale), Mark Quade (Belgian dubbel), Kevin Ramler (rye pale ale) and Chris Schofield (strawberry mead). Interesting commercial beers included Jackie Di Fiore’s Stella Artois Cidre, Chris Edwards’ Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye and Chris Schofield’s The Bruery Otiose Sour Brown Ale.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 9-Feb-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Railroad Seafood Station Brewing, robust porter competition, BJCP 12B) 
• 9-Mar-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brewing demonstration) 
• 13-Apr-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, American IPA/Imperial IPA competition, BJCP 14B/14C) 
• 3-May-14: Big Brew (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 18-May-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (3rd Sunday, John Daniels) 
• 8-June-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, German wheat/rye beer competition, BJCP 15A-D) 
• 13-July-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Paul Holder, brewing demonstration) 
• 2-Aug-14: Mead Day (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 10-Aug-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, Saison competition, BJCP 16C) 
• 14-Sep-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, 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 Tom, Rocky, Aggie Bill and Dianna, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at Railroad Seafood Station (as always, with your own glass)!

December Minutes!

Carroll and Judy Pate hosted the December B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 8th at their home in Calallen. Neither the clubs’ President nor Vice President was in attendance, so past President Travis Clapp attempted to seize power in a coup. An informed citizenry confronted the villain with torches, pitchforks and mash paddles. After receiving twenty spanks with a mash paddle (and requesting twenty more) Travis gave up his futile quest. Your humble and obedient scribe then called the meeting to order. Host Carroll (wearing his wife’s bright green socks) gave a brief embezzler’s report, which sounded as rosy as all the others.

Mark Woerner was presented with the B.A.S.H. Cup and honored as the 2013 Homebrewer of the Year. There was no competition this month, but Travis and Chris Swanson conducted a demonstration brew. The resulting American barleywine will be named “Pull My Finger”. You’re a class act, Travis! A proposed 2014/2015/2016 competition schedule prepared by Cory Mathews was discussed. It was decided to move the sour ale competition back from 2014 to 2015, and move the bock competition forward from 2015 to 2014.No one wanted to make cider, so we decided to replace it on the 2016 schedule with Irish red ale (BJCP category 9D). Several members volunteered to host meetings in 2014. Paul Holder announced a new product for sale at Liquid Town on Airline near Toys ‘R’ Us that removes gluten from beer.

On the all-important food front, Mike Wojdyla and Flip “Spudboy” Berry started us off with homemade kettle chips. Carroll’s traditional garlic-infused and brown sugar/sauerkraut pork loins served as the main course. We enjoyed new homebrews by Chris Edwards (double IPA), Paul Holder (regular and gluten-free IPAs, spruce Christmas small beer), Claudio Montiel (quadrupel), Mark Quade (sourwood honey mead, braggot) and Chris Swanson (white IPA). Commercial brews included Tom Freund’s Alaskan APA and Amber, Mark Woerner’s South Austin Belgian Golden and Spudboy’s exotic Miller Lite.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 12-Jan-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash X judging) 
• 9-Feb-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Railroad Seafood Station Brewing, robust porter competition, BJCP 12B) 
• 9-Mar-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brewing demonstration) 
• 13-Apr-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, American IPA/Imperial IPA competition, BJCP 14B/14C) 
• 3-May-14: Big Brew (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 18-May-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (3rd Sunday, John Daniels) 
• 8-June-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, German wheat beer competition, BJCP 15A-D) 
• 13-July-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Paul Holder, brewing demonstration) 
• 2-Aug-14: Mead Day (need host, multiple brewing demonstrations) 
• 10-Aug-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, Saison competition, BJCP 16C) 
• 14-Sep-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, 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 Carroll, Judy, Mike and Spudboy, keep on brewin’, Happy Holidays and we’ll see you next month at the Freund’s (as always, with your own glass)!

November Minutes!

Claudio and Jennifer Montiel hosted the November B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 10th at their home in Corpus Christi. President Adam Klager called the meeting to order and welcomed guests Roberto Vela, Chris Edwards and Sonny (Claudio’s neighbor). Treasurer-Of-The-Nanosecond Carroll Pate reported another healthy checking account balance. Paul Holder shared judges comments on the two beers he entered in last month’s Dixie Cup regional brewing competition. His Belgian strong golden ale was deemed “lacking in fruitiness” (not that there’s anything wrong with that). His Kölsch was “too dark” and “had no pils flavor”.

Speaking of competitions, we decided on robust porter for February’s club competition. Vice President and competition director Cory Mathews solicited suggestions for the remainder of the schedule. The gist of the comments was to mix ales and lagers, mix American and European styles and save high alcohol brews for the end of the year. In other new business, Travis Clapp, Chris Swanson and Bob Davis volunteered to conduct the demonstration brew at the December meeting.

The final club competition of 2013 was for American brown ale, BJCP category 10C. Paul Holder scored three points for 1st place, Wild Bill Lehfeld earned two for 2nd place and Mark Woerner got a solitary point for 3rd.

As John Milan showered us with Italian tuna mousse, escargot and jumbo-shrimps-on-fire, we dug into Claudio’s brisket and all the side dishes. Besides competition beers, we enjoyed Robin Baker/Christyn Overstake’s “Red Nose” rye, Drew Burkhardt/Cory’s witbier, Ruben Cantu’s porter and rauchbier, Paul’s Belgian strong golden and Cubano, Jason Merry’s American hefeweizen, host Claudio’s “gluten-free experiment with honey”, Carroll’s American IPA, Chris Swanson’s nut brown and amber ales and guest Roberto’s two IPAs, ESB and “mistakes”. Interesting commercial beers included Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger’s Saint Arnold Icon Biere de Saison, Karbach Weekend Warrior Pale Ale and No Label Black Wit-o, Adam’s Laughing Dog Sneaky Pete’s Imperial IPA and Lou Needleman’s Sierra Nevada Tumbler.

Randomly overheard quotes:

• Travis – “I’m going to pay my dues, Carroll!” Paul – “For which year?”
• Claudio – “I lost something in my pants!”
• Travis – “Wayne, did you get your passport? We’re going to deport you!”

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 8-Dec-13: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration)
• 12-January-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash X judging)
• 9-February-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, robust porter competition, BJCP 12B)
• 9-March-14: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, brewing demonstration)

Thanks again Claudio, Jennifer and John, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at the Pate’s (as always, with your own glass)!

Brewer Of The Year!

Mark Woerner has earned the honor as B.A.S.H. Homebrewer of the Year for 2013, amassing 8 1/2 points in club competitions. Paul Holder totaled 6 points, Wild Bill Lehfeld earned 4 1/2, Drew Burkhardt/Cory Mathews scored 4 and Mark Quade tallied two. Said Mark W “Just schedule barleywines and Scotch ales every competition and I’ll win it every year!” Yeah, with the same old recycled brews!

The fiend Woerner earned a 3-point 1st place finish and a 1 ½ point 2nd place tie in April’s extract competition and a 2-point 2nd place finish in October’s American pale ale contest. Rounding out his scoring were a 1-point 2nd place finish in February’s barleywine competition and a 1-point 3rd place in November’s American brown ale contest.

Runner-up Paul collected a 3-point 1st place in November, a 2-point 1st place in February and a 1-point 3rd place in October.

Two time defending champion Wild Bill collected a 2-point 2nd place in November, a 1 ½ point 2nd place tie in April and a 1-point 2nd place finish in August’s European amber lager contest.

The dynamic duo of Drew/Cory collected 3 points for 1st place in October and 1-point as the only entrants in June’s English dark mild competition.

The good Mark earned his 2 points for a 1st place finish in August.

The 2014 competitions are expected to be wide open slugfests, with young punks giving the old fartknockers a run for their money! Stay tuned for the competition schedule. Congratulations, Mark, and thanks to Competition Directors Kyle Hotz and Cory, their ever-shifting horde of judges and to all who entered beers in the contests.