March 2017 Minutes

Chris and Sue Swanson hosted the March B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 12th at their home in Corpus Christi. El Presidente Daniel Fearn was again working at his OTHER job, so Vice President Mike Wojdyla called the meeting to order. Treasurer “Cretaceous” Carroll Pate gave another positive report. Steve Cook was able to talk the BJCP into fully funding the airfare of the Missouri judge for the certification exam, which saved us some money.

In new business, the AHA’s Big Brew is coming up the 1st Saturday in May. Paul Holder presented the AHA’s three beers for this year – “Rushmore” American IPA, “Battre L’oie” Saison and “Klang Freudenfest” Oktoberfest lager. Extract and all-grain recipes exist for each style. As always, the club will buy the ingredients and we will drink the results during the August meeting. Philip Mooney and Cody Martin volunteered to brew the Oktoberfest. Let Paul know at or before the April meeting if you are interested in brewing one of the other styles. Paul also announced that he has some pouches of Australian ale yeast sequestered away at Liquid Town for the August competition.

After this quick meeting adjourned, we engorged ourselves on fajitas. Wild Bill Lehfeld provided the entertainment by dyeing his mustache green for Saint Patrick’s Day (courtesy of a cupcake with green frosting). New homebrews debuted from Walt Crawford (“Hophead” double IPA), Tom Freund (sweet stout), Paul (milk stout), Philip (hefeweizen), host Chris (“Presidential” Irish Stout) and Jeremy Van Horn (hoppy American lager). Several commercial beers appeared including Tom’s Karbach Weekend Warrior Pale Ale and Lou Needleman’s Sierra Blanca Pale Ale.

As expected, a few interesting comments were overheard –

• Carroll – “I just want to show you what I did. I’m not showin’ off!”
• Rusty Keyes – “Is there a pole involved?”
• Carroll – “I’m not fast” Chris – “No, you’re ‘half-assed’!”

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 9-Apr-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Fearn, specialty IPA competition, BJCP 21B)
• 6-May-17: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations)
• 21-May-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (John Daniels, note: 3rd Sunday)
• 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 (need host, 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)

Thanks again Chris and Sue, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at the Fearn’s !

February Minutes

Walt and Judy Crawford hosted the February B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 12th at their home in King’s Crossing. El Presidente Daniel Fearn was again working at his OTHER job, so Vice President Mike Wojdyla ran the show. After welcoming guests Chris Vega and Amber-Rai, he called the meeting to order. Treasurer “Cretaceous” Carroll Pate led off with another glowing report. In old business, Paul Holder is gathering donor beers for March’s BJCP certification test. He needs unmarked bottles of homebrew, either two 22-oz. bottles or four 12-oz. bottles of the same beer. Place the bottles in a bag along with an envelope with your name on the outside. Inside the envelope, include a note declaring the beer style. Take the beers to Liquid Town on Airline across from Toys’R’Us.

In new business Jim Hildreth shared a story of how he received a second degree burn the size of a golf ball on his arm while brewing. Paul led a discussion of bottle sanitizing methods. In short, don’t use steam – cheap bottle glass is too fragile. If using a dishwasher, don’t use detergent – it can contain small ceramic particles which pit the bottles. Use plain water with a heat drying cycle instead. Dip sanitizing is also OK. In a related note, Chris Vega has bottles to donate.

The competition this month was for dark European lagers, BJCP categories 8A and 8B. Wild Bill Lehfeld’s schwarzbier earned 3 points for 1st place. His Munich dunkel earned 2 points for 2nd place while Mark Quade’s dunkel earned one point for 3rd. Greg Sawyer’s and Vic Aguilar’s schwarzbiers rounded out the competition.

As the meeting adjourned, we gobbled down beef and shredded chicken tacos. Besides the competition beers, we were treated to new homebrews from Vic (kölsch), Jim (IPA) and Carroll/Chris Swanson (Irish stout). Interesting commercial beers included Bryan Cook’s Full Sail Cascade Pilsner/Brooklyn Lager, Lou Needleman’s Kelly’s IPA/Twisted X Tex-Mex Lager/Big Bend Hefe and Tejas Lager, Jeremy Van Horn’s Pappy’s Porter (Vermont) and Chris Vega’s Uinta Hop Nosh IPA.

As usual, the stories grew more ridiculous as the evening grew long and the party congealed around a cluster of besotted die hards. Bryan took the cake with his cruise ship recollection – “My cabin – I heard people vomiting on either side through the sound-proof walls!”

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 12-Mar-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Chris Swanson)
• 9-Apr-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Fearn, specialty IPA competition, BJCP 21B)
• 6-May-17: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations)
• 21-May-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (John Daniels, note: 3rd Sunday)
• 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 (need host, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)

Thanks again Walt and Judy, welcome Chris V and Amber-Rai, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at the Swanson’s !

January Minutes

The January B.A.S.H. meeting was held in Flour Bluff on Sunday the 8th, hosted by Tom and Rocky Freund assisted by co-hosts Aggie Bill and Dianna Hughen. El Presidente Daniel Fearn was working at his OTHER job, so Vice President Mike Wojdyla presided. After fending off coup attempts by Travis Clapp and Sabrina Krueger, he called the meeting to order. Treasurer “Cretaceous Carroll” Pate was off on another embezzling junket, so stand-in Paul Holder extracted dues from new member Rusty Keyes and reported a bloated club balance. Guest Bryan Cook joined after the meeting.

Paul gave an update on the BJCP judge training. Advantages to the club include the following:

•  Better judging for club competitions
•  Entering better beers in outside competitions
•  Develops a core teaching group in the club
•  Name recognition of the club increases regionally and nationally

The $40 cost for taking the test will be covered by the class attendees. We need a master level judge to administer the test (BJCP judging levels progress from provisional to recognized to certified to national to master). A motion was made, seconded and approved to use $200 of club funds to pay for ½ of the airfare to bring a judge in from Kansas City.

Another motion was made, seconded and approved to pay our $100 annual club AHA dues. Check out battleofthe brew.com if you are interested in entering a competition in late-March.

The main order of business was judging the beers produced during November’s Iron Mash XIII team competition. In 1st place were the Fusterclucks (Phil Mooney/Cody Martin/Brent Falwell). Their amber ale scored 142 points. The Repeat Offenders (Mark Quade/Mark Woerner/Micah Cole/Terri Loe) captured 2nd and 3rd with their California brown ale (140 points) and East Coast brown ale (119 points). The winners proudly donned their bling medals and held the Iron Mash trophy on high!

As the meeting adjourned, we feasted on tamales and chili blanco. Besides the competition beers, we quaffed down new homebrews from Paul (British best bitter), William Lee (British brown ale) and Jeremy Van Horn (prickly pear pale ale). Cory Mathews provided a Lazy Beach Chocolate Stout.

As the evening grew long and chilly, the die hards gathered around the fire. The party was still going strong when your humble narrator slipped away at 10:30 p.m. …

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 12-Feb-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Walt Crawford, Dark European Lager competition, BJCP 8A-8B)
• 12-Mar-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Chris Swanson, brewing demonstration)
• 9-Apr-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Fearn, specialty IPA competition, BJCP 21B)
• 6-May-17: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations)
• 21-May-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (John Daniels, note: 3rd Sunday)
• 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 (need host, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)

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

December Minutes 2016

The December B.A.S.H. meeting was held in Calallen on Sunday the 11th, hosted by Carroll and Judy Pate. El Presidente Daniel Fearn called the meeting to order and thanked the Pates, who have hosted in December since everyone spoke Esperanto and drove flying cars. As usual, Treasurer Carroll reported a decent club balance.

In old business, Aggie Bill Hughen reported on his initial inquiries into a replacement for our existing 10’ X 20’ pain-in-the-ass shade canopy. A high-quality 10’ X 10’ Easy Up model will cost about $140 - $150. Lou Needleman offered to donate a cheap 10’ X 12’ model.

In new business, William Lee has a bucket of pilsner grain to give away. Carroll has surplus plastic conical fermenters and a 2-stage wort chiller, in exchange for a donation to the club. Steve Cook reported on the ongoing BJCP judge training class. We discussed options for the local March exam -- timing (1st Saturday ?) and administrators/proctors per BJCP guidelines.

As the meeting adjourned, we feasted on brisket and sausage, washing it down with a great lineup of new homebrews. Jim Hildreth offered up an American pale ale and Imperial Russian Stout, Paul Holder shared a dampfbier, Aggie Bill brought “The Great Pumpkin”, Carroll had a brown ale on tap, Mark Quade supplied a barleywine, Greg Sawyer showed up with a double IPA and Jeremy Van Horn delivered an apricot saison. Interesting commercial beers included Jim’s Guiness Nitro IPA, Sabrina Krueger’s Ballast Point Watermelon Dorado and Pineapple Sculpin, Lou’s Shiner Holiday Cheer and Tennent’s Whiskey Oak-aged Beer and Phil Sims’ 101 North Brewing Stigmata Red Rye Ale and Choc Beer Company Winter Stout.

What about the demonstration brew? Instead of making a batch of beer, Daniel and Carroll used Daniel’s grainfather rig to make several jugs of wort starters, using Maris Otter and Special Black malt. Carroll then pressure cooked the jugs to sanitize them. Carroll estimated a use-by date of 2542 A.D. and plans to squirrel away a couple of jugs to continue brewing at his retirement bungalow on Mars. Judy will have to bring her own Prosecco.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 8-Jan-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XIII judging)
• 12-Feb-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Fearn, Dark European Lager competition, BJCP 8A-8B)
• 12-Mar-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Chris Swanson, brewing demonstration)
• 9-Apr-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Walt Crawford, specialty IPA competition, BJCP 21B)
• 6-May-17: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations)
• 21-May-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (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 (need host, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)

Thanks again Carroll and Judy, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at the Freund’s !

November Meeting Minutes 2016

Brad Klager hosted the November B.A.S.H. meeting on Sunday the 13th. El Presidente Daniel Fearn called the meeting to order, thanking Brad and welcoming prospective members Brandon Harper and Cale Moore. Treasurer “Cretaceous” Carroll Pate reported a favorable club balance.

In new business, William Lee announced that he is looking to buy corny kegs. Aggie Bill Hughen explained that the 10’ X 20’ B.A.S.H. shade canopy is getting worn out and is a pain to erect. He and Daniel will research replacement options and will present a recommendation at the December meeting. Members agreed to discuss Iron Mash procedures again in June. The club agreed to start “official” B.A.S.H. visits to local brewpubs/microbreweries, beginning this Saturday at Lorelei Brewing at 4:00 p.m.

The competition this month was for Russian Imperial Stout. Greg Sawyer’s entry earned three points with the win, with a judge’s score of 194. Wild Bill Lehfeld earned two points for 2nd place with a score of 166. Vic Aguilar rounded out the scoring with one point for 3rd place with a score of 142. Daniel’s entry received a judge’s score of 78. After all six club competitions, cumulative scores are as follows:

• Wild Bill – 10 points
• Greg Sawyer – 5 points
• Vic Aguilar – 4 points
• Mark Quade – 3.5 points
• John Daniels – 3 points
• Jim Hildreth – 3 points
• Paul Kalaghan – 3 points
• Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger – 1.5 point

Wild Bill is thus 2016 homebrewer of the year and will be recognized next month. As the meeting concluded, we feasted on Brad’s ground beef and salmon blinis and beefy borscht that was hard to “beet”. Besides the competition beers we enjoyed new homebrews by Paul Holder (Belgian pale ale), Aggie Bill (“Jolly Rancher” raspberry and watermelon lambics) and Jeremy Van Horn (American pale ale). Interesting commercial beers included host Brad’s Freetail Berliner Weiss, William Lee’s Shock Top Belgian White, John Milan’s Stella Artois, Wehenstephaner Hefeweizen and Erdinger Pikantus Weizenbock and Phil Sims’ 101 North Brewing Heroine IPA.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 11-Dec-16: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration)
• 8-Jan-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XIII judging)
• 12-Feb-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Daniel Fearn, Dark European Lager competition, BJCP 8A-8B)
• 12-Mar-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Chris Swanson?, brewing demonstration)
• 9-Apr-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Walt Crawford, specialty IPA competition, BJCP 21B)
• 6-May-17: Big Brew (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, multiple brewing demonstrations)
• 21-May-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (John and Nikki 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 (need host, British golden ale/Australian sparkling ale competition, BJCP 12A-B)
• 10-Sep-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Mark Woerner, brewing demonstration)

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



P.S. – John Milan is STILL NOT DEAD!!!

IRON MASH XIII

Iron Mash XIII was held on Saturday, November 5 at B&Js Pizza on Staples at Timbergate. The weather cooperated for the most part – partly cloudy and breezy, with a little rain near the end.

Five teams competed in this years’ event. “Chopper Hoppers” consisted of Vic and Josie Aguilar, Mark Anthony Gonzales and new member Dolores Montemayor. Talk about prepared – these people showed up with a trailer full of equipment, a dolly to move the equipment, a table, a canopy and team t-shirts. “Good Karma Brewing” included Daniel and Jessica Fearn, Steve Cook and new member Cha Mathews. They also brought a table and canopy, along with a Grain Father electric brew system. Mark Woerner, Mark Quade and Terri Loe were the “Repeat Offenders”. Sarah Tilton competed solo as “Tilted Keg Brewing”. Phil Mooney, Brent Falwell and new member Cody Martin formed “Fustercluck Brewing”.

At high noon, impresario Paul Holder read the rules and handed each team a box of ingredients. The competitors had 30 minutes to concoct a recipe for an American amber ale, American brown ale or California common. Ingredients included grains, dried malt extract (DME) and hop pellets. The teams supplied their own water and yeast.

“Chopper Hoppers” and “Good Karma Brewing” chose to make a California common. “Tilted Keg” and “Fustercluck” opted for an American amber. “Repeat Offenders” decided on American brown ale. The propane burners were then fired up, the electric systems were plugged in and the brewing commenced.

The event was well attended by club members and the general public. Besides the new members who competed, we welcomed William Lee into B.A.S.H. The usual trash talking and good-natured banter occurred. Paul was heard to utter “You gave me a rubber extension thing”! and “I just want it on the record – I’m not a hooker”! After Carroll Pate exclaimed “I’ve never woke up with Paul still in the backyard” Paul retorted “You slept too late”!



After several hours the teams departed with their completed wort. 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 2017 B.A.S.H. meeting to find out (and to drink the beers). See you then!

October 2016 Meeting Minutes

The October B.A.S.H. meeting was held on Sunday the 9th at Railroad Seafood Station, hosted by brewmeister Sean Sutherland. El Presidente Daniel Fearn called the meeting to order, thanking Sean and welcoming new member Gabriel Marroquin and guest Ronnie Middleton. Treasurer “Cretaceous” Carroll Pate was off on another embezzling trip, so stand-in “Neon” Paul Holder reported another ridiculous club balance.

In old business, Paul thanked Classic Brew participants. KEDT plans to have us back next year and we got a nice write-up in the Caller Times. Paul announced the style category for next months’ Iron Mash XIII – amber and brown American beer (2015 BJCP 19A-C). This category encompasses American amber ale, California common and American brown ale. Tom Freund has the team sign-up sheets. Each team can have up to four members and may submit one or two beers for judging. All team members must have paid dues for this year. This outdoor team brewing competition will be held on Saturday, November 5th in celebration of AHA’s Learn To Homebrew Day. Please don’t bring homebrew but you can enjoy B&J’s beers outside at the event.

In new business, there are still opportunities to help out at Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. Dixie Cup judging session in Houston. So far Daniel and Jessica Fearn and Steve and Erica Cook plan to attend. There are still two slots open for the BJCP test in March. Judging training sessions continue every other Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Lazy Beach Brewing. Vice President and Competition Director Mike Wojdyla proposed that we purchase two bound copies of the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines. The motion was approved unanimously. Micah Cole announced that he is looking for a “brew buddy” in Calallen to split batches.

The competition this month was for Scottish ales, BJCP 14A-C and 17C. Wild Bill Lehfeld’s “Fat Bastard” wee heavy earned three points with the win, with a judges score of 163. The remaining three entries were Scottish exports, with Greg Sawyer earning two points for 2nd place with a score of 144. Vic Aguilar rounded out the scoring with one point for 3rd place with a score of 119. Bringing up the rear was Wild Bill’s foamy entry, scoring 90. After 5 of 6 club competitions, cumulative scores are as follows:

• Wild Bill – 8 points
• Mark Quade – 3.5 points
• Vic Aguilar – 3 points
• John Daniels – 3 points
• Jim Hildreth – 3 points
• Paul Kalaghan – 3 points
• Greg Sawyer – 2 points
• Andrew Herzig/Sabrina Krueger – 1.5 point

As the meeting concluded, we feasted on Railroad’s beer-battered fish and onion rings. Sean poured samples of the current Railroad beer lineup – Cerveza De La Flor, Desperado Pilsner, Red Caboose IPA, Riot Rye IPA, Texas Red v. 2.0, Vanilla Porter, Vienna Blonde, Wildlife Wheat and Witches Brew Imperial Pumpkin Stout. Besides the competition beers we enjoyed new homebrews by Paul Holder (East Coast IPA), Eric Linssen (chocolate stout/English bitter), Phil Mooney (dopplebock) and Chris Swanson (nut brown ale). Tom showed up with KCCO Resignation Golden Lager.

Mercifully, both Wild Bill and Paul Holder forgot to wear their clownish Oktoberfest outfits.

Upcoming B.A.S.H. events:

• 5-Nov-16: Iron Mash XIII (B&J’s Pizza on Staples at Timbergate, team brewing competition)
• 13-Nov-16: B.A.S.H. meeting (Brad Klager, Russian Imperial Stout competition, 2008 BJCP 13F)
• 11-Dec-16: B.A.S.H. meeting (Carroll Pate, brewing demonstration)
• 8-Jan-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (Tom Freund, Iron Mash XIII judging)
• 12-Feb-17: B.A.S.H. meeting (need host, Dark European Lager competition, BJCP 8A-8B)

Thanks again Sean, keep on brewin’ and we’ll see you next month at the Iron Mash and at Brad Klager’s !