Author: Social Secretary

Remember to bring some of your home brewed beer to the November meeting at:

7:30pm Wednesday 6th November at Gorman Arts Centre

ACT Beer of show

All members are welcome to go along to the judging of the ACT Beer of Show at Bentspoke starting at 6pm 6-Nov to witness it and have a beer before the meeting.

For those who entred the ACT comp, all of the comp medals and score sheets to give out.

Sharing is caring

Like always we encourage you to bring and share your beer with all of the other brewers at the meeting. You can bring bottles, growlers or even a Corny Keg, it is up to you. A good guide is to bring about as much as you want to drink. There is a Nookie ticket for members who bring beer or buy raffle tickets. If you don’t know what the Nookie prize is, then come and find out.

Membership and Bentspoke Drafters cards will be available at the meeting

As most of you will know by now we are issuing Membership cards so sponsors can identify current members and provide some great offers. Check the sponsors’ page of the forum. Also Bentspoke has generously provided all financial members with a Drafters card that gives you some great discounts at Bentspoke.  Cards and details are available at the meeting.

Education Session

With a recent popularity explosion of hazy beers such as New England IPAs, as well as their acceptance in the 2019 Australian Amateur Brewing Competition, it’s an appropriate time to discuss beer clarity.

The November Education Session will focus on many aspects of beer clarity, specifically;
– Factors influencing wort & beer clarity
– Methods to improve clarity ie filtering, finings, long-term chilling
– Methods to reduce clarity ie malt & yeast selection
– Effects of clarity on beer flavour and preference

This won’t be a NEIPA talk – that’s just a topical example. Fundamental aspects are in focus here.

There will be two samples of a heavily dry-hopped pale ale for attendees to taste: one is clarified and the other is not (they are otherwise identical beers, from the same batch). You will be invited to sample both and discuss any perceived differences. Anyone willing to bring their own fined & non-fined samples of their beer are welcome and encouraged to do so, send a PM to MBT discuss further.

Raffle

This month’s raffle prizes include a Counter Pressure Filler. Belco Brew supplies have donated 10kg grain and some hop samples and Mashematics have donated various grain and hop samples.

Library

As mentioned earlier, Peter Symons who ran the AABCs this year is a great author of historical beer books including tested recipes for home brewers to use. His books include 6 O’clock Brews about beers from the 40s and Bronzed Brews about Australian Old beers. Both are available from the library. Log on through the forum to see all the books.

See you at the meeting!

Zierholz Oktoberfest

It’s that time of year again folks!

This year we’re on for a Zierholz Oktoberfest from 7pm on Wednesday 2nd of October and will replace our regular club meeting.

For your hard earned dollars ($30 member and $50 non-member), Zierholz are putting on a German styled banquet for us, as well as throwing in a pint. Pay via card at the door.

We have capacity for 80 odd people, so bring some friends, and register your attendance via this link.

– Book Here – 

If you are not a member and would like to join us, messgage us via Facebook and let us know. Or join on line and see how to pay (only $30 for members) via the forum.

The club miracle boxes will be serving so if you have a beer to share (bottled conditioned or kegged), bring it along – and let us know what you’re bringing in your EOI.

We will be running a German themed raffle and the ‘Best of the Fest’ beer competition again. Bring along your best home brewed German style beer and enter it in a relaxed competition. Beyond pride and heckling advantages, there will also be thank you prizes for the top-3 placed beers in said comp.

Prost!

7:30pm Wednesday 4 September at Gorman Arts Centre

Brewers, the September meeting is coming. So is the ACT Amateur Brewing Championships. You should have you bottles ready for next week’s entry. We are still enrolling judges and stewards. Good luck to all those with a beer, cider or mead in it. I hope you get a good result and maybe make it through to the Nationals.

Remember to bring some of your home brewed beer to share with all of the other brewers at the meeting. You can bring bottles, growlers or even a Corny Keg, it is up to you. A good guide is to bring about as much as you want to drink. There is a Nookie ticket for members who bring beer or buy raffle tickets. If you don’t know what the Nookie prize is, then come and find out.

Ant for Plonk, who are participating in our Members Benefits scheme, will be coming to chat about the great range of beers he has at Plonk and providing some prizes for the raffle. He will also be telling us about the Rodenbach Tasting with Brew Master Rudi Ghequire being held at Plonk on Sunday the 8th of September at 12:30. For details see Plonk’s Facebook page.

Education Session

With a recent popularity explosion of hazy beers such as New England IPAs, as well as their acceptance in the 2019 Australian Amateur Brewing Competition, it’s an appropriate time to discuss beer clarity.

The September Education Session will focus on many aspects of beer clarity, specifically;
– Factors influencing wort & beer clarity
– Methods to improve clarity ie filtering, finings, long-term chilling
– Methods to reduce clarity ie malt & yeast selection
– Effects of clarity on beer flavour and preference

This won’t be a NEIPA talk – that’s just a topical example. Fundamental aspects are in focus here.

There will be two samples of a heavily dry-hopped pale ale for attendees to taste: one is clarified and the other is not (they are otherwise identical beers, from the same batch). You will be invited to sample both and discuss any perceived differences. Anyone willing to bring their own fined & non-fined samples of their beer are welcome and encouraged to do so, send a PM to MBT discuss further.

Social Scene

We held our first Picnic in a Park meet up last Sunday. We had a core group who all enjoyed time to catch up, talk about and taste each other’s beers. Everyone feel very welcome to suggest a time and place for the next one.

Experiments with Ethiopian Black Malt

We will have two beers available that are brewed by two of our brewers, Corrie and Peta, from Ethiopian Black Malt from Voyager Malts. They are a Munich Helles and a Pale Ale, designed to show off the malt. We are looking to do more experiments with friendly suppliers and are looking for volunteer brewers.

See you there

 

 

7:30pm Wednesday 7 August at Gorman Arts Centre

Brewers, the days are starting to get longer.  Comp 2 has come and gone. Well done to all those who had a beer in it. I hope you had a good result or at least some good feedback ready to go again for the ACT Comp.

Thanks to all the judges, stewards and other helpers who have volunteered to help out at the Coopers Master of the Brewniverse competition. This will give the clubs reputation a big boast. There is still time to join in if you want to be a part of something special.

The August meeting education session will demonstrate making malt tea. No it is not a hipster drink, it helps predict the colour of you final beer. There will be great raffle prizes including an Inkbird temperature controller from our friends at Beerco. There is still space if you want to join the Six Pack Swap.

Remember to bring some of your home brewed beer to share with all of the brewers at the meeting new and experienced. You can bring bottles, growlers or even a Corny Keg, it is up to you. A good guide is to bring about as much as you want to drink. There is a Nookie ticket for bringing beer. If you don’t know what the Nookie prize is, then come and find out.

Education

Dermott from BeerCo will be showcasing their malts, in particular those from Crisp Malting Group. There will also be a demonstration on brewing a malt tea, which is a useful tool to predict the colour of a finished beer.

As always, the education session commences at 7:30pm in the education room in Gorman Arts Centre, with the monthly club meeting commencing shortly afterward in the main hall. This is a very worthwhile session for any brewer looking to learn more about malt.

Social Scene – For those who can’t get to monthly meetings

The committee have been looking how we can include members who struggle to get to the monthly meetings. We are looking to organise regular ‘come as you are’ park meet-ups on weekends. We will name a time and place, and all member are invited to turn up and catch up with other members. There won’t be any official proceedings, raffles etc. but the club will provide some support and members could run a six-pack swap. We plan to have these meet ups member driven, family friendly and held in different parts of the Canberra district so they can be ‘nearby’ everyone, every now and then. We plan to socialise the idea more in the next few weeks.

Raffle Prizes –– Top prize is an Inkbird Temperature controller

This month we are hot and cold on the top raffle prize. We have an Inkbird temperature controller that can be used to control your fermentation. Controlling fermentation temperature is a fantastic way to improve your beer and this little beauty will get you on your way.

Competitions

Competition 2 was run and there were some smashing beers. Full results are on the forum.

It is time to be brewing for the ACT comp so refine and rebrew your best beers as you can make it through to national via this completion.

Membership benefits

Membership benefits are growing and there will be a few more announcements on the night. Membership cards are available at the meeting. If you can’t get to the meeting, email the committee and we will work out how to get it to you

Library

This month you might be interested in malt. There is ‘Malt: A Practical Guide from Field to Brewhouse (Brewing Elements)’ by John Mallett is available. Order your book online by going to the library page https://canberrabrewers.librarika.com/ and pick it up at the next meeting.

Six Pack Swap

The six pack swap is still open for this month. Just bring at least six beers in 330ml or larger bottles and go home with six beers from other brewers. This way you can take time to enjoy the beers you only get a quick taste of on club night. See the forum to let the others know what you are bringing.

Have a great August and brew like a champion.