Category: Editor’s report and club news

Canberra Brewers invites you to the combined December meeting and Christmas Function, 3pm-7pm on Sunday 15th December at The BentSpoke Cannery (79 Lysaght St, Mitchell). We would like to thank and acknowledge BentSpoke’s support and sponsorship of the Canberra Brewers throughout the year, the club and the Christmas function wouldn’t be as great without them.

We will have the miracle boxes setup for members to bring beers. Richard has kindly offered to provide some of BentSpoke’s best so we can give the Club Bars a test-run leading up to the 2025 Multi-cultural Festival.

The Club will be putting on a simple BBQ and, following a bit of a club tradition, members are encouraged to bring a gourmet addition such as salads, snacks or desserts. A club forum post will be setup for that.

While the Christmas function is aimed at financial members of Canberra Brewers and their families, non-members will be able to come along and join-up on the day.

Please let us know if you plan on attending to help with catering. You can do this by accepting the Facebook invitation or by responding to the Forum post.

The 2024 Case Swap

This is still on for December, but will now happen at the Christmas function – more details to follow, and arrangements can be made to drop off and pick up your beers separately if needed. Sign up on the forum. There some great prizes for getting involved – least of all 24 beers from Canberra Brewers!

With huge thanks from our amazing sponsors:

Sponsor lucky draw prizes:

  • Mashematics – 25 kg bag of grain
  • Brew-your-own-at-home Kambah – 60 Litre Fermzilla Unitank
  • Belco BrewSupplies – 25 kg bag of Simpson’s Golden Promise, 240g Superdelic Hops, 3 x twin packs of London ale yeast

Local Canberra brewing companies each sponsoring a carton each:

  • Zierholz – carton (Premium Lager)
  • Wild Polly – carton (gluten free – Hop Harvest Ale)
  • Mountain Yetti – (Gurkha)
  • Cypher – carton (new Dream Collision)
  • Capital Brewing – carton (new Haze Oasis)
  • Bentspoke – carton (Bract to the Ditch)
  • Ale Mary – carton (Hazy IPA)

The next club meeting is on 7 November 2024 and we will be back at the Polish White Eagle Club again.

Kurtz is MIA in November, so instead of an education session we will be making time for the awards presentation from the ACT Championships and Champion Brewer. We should also have the results from Nationals to celebrate too!

FishFrenzy has the six pack swap already running (Sign up on FB or on the forum) and the raffle will have a range of amazing prizes up for grabs. Plus don’t forget to bring your latest and greatest brews to share!ee

Upcoming Events

December 2024 – Carton Swap

Last year was big and it’s happening again at the December 2024 meeting. You can find out more details and sign up on the club forum.

February 2025 – Multicultural Festival

Multiculti is happening earlier in the year and Chuck has already started planning the Club’s stall and seeking expression of interest from members who want to assist. So if you’re interested in giving back to the club you can find more information on the Canberra Brewers Members Facebook Group or on the club forum.

Oktoberfest is set for 28th September and you need to book your seat by 18th September.

Come along for a great afternoon of festive celebrations with music, great beer, awesome food company, kicking off 4PM at the Zierholz Brewery in Fyshwick

Members price is $50 and Non Members are $75, which will get you… your first three schooners from Zierholz (with discounted rates after that) and an Oktoberfest banquet of Bratwurst, Weisswurst, Double Smoked Kransky, Roast Pork, sides and dessert. Vegan options are available on request.

You’ll also get to sample members beers (noting this is the week after ACT ABC and we will probably have many awesome beers on tap),  you can enter your german beer in the Oktoberfest competition or go into running for a best dressed (M & F) prize!

Limited Numbers – Register you attendance on Forum. Non-members wishing to attend need to have a member add them or send a PM/email to president@canberrabrewers.com.au

October meeting

The next club meeting is on 3 October 2024 at the Zierholz Brewery in Fyshwick 7/19-25 Kembla St, Fyshwick ACT 2609.

The education session is back, share your brews in the six pack swap (sign up on FB or the forum) and the raffle will have a range of amazing prizes up for grabs. Plus don’t forget to bring your latest and greatest brews to share!

Education

For October’s education, Kurtz will be running a general discussion around density and ABV, including some of the newer thoughts and a practical calibration exercise/interactive session.

Audience participation is highly encouraged, so don’t forget to pack your hydrometers, refractometers, Pills, Hydroms, Spindles, etc and check them against some of his Anton Paar premium analytical equipment, including the Easy Dens https://www.easydens.com/ AND Smart Ref https://www.my-smartref.com/

The ACT Amateur Brewing Competition

Big thanks to Ed and Nic for running another excellent competition, congrats to the winners and best of luck at Nats! The Canberra Brewers Champion Brewer will be announced at the October meeting, with the medal ceremony in November.

Carton Swap 2024

Last year was big and it’s happening again at the December 2024 meeting. You can find out more details and sign up on the forum here.

See you all at Zierholz this Thursday!

The next club meeting is just round the corner on 1 August 2024, now be at the Zierholz Brewery in Fyshwick – 7/19-25 Kembla St, Fyshwick ACT 2609.

  • Education: We have another special guest this month with Peter Symons talking about his new book “True Blue Brews”. Peter will have a few copies of his book available on the night if you’re keen.
  • Raffle: Just like last July, there will be a range of amazing prizes… including a few donated kegs and some great merch from Weenie’s trip to the US
  • Six Pack Swap is on again and it’s a great way to try new styles, practice judging and receive feedback on your brews. Sign up on FB or on the forum.

Club Membership Fees

Canberra Brewers membership fees are due again, and for $60/year you get access to the fantastic deals from our sponsors including:

  • Bent Spoke
  • Mathematics
  • Brew your own at home
  • Belco Brew Supplies and many more

For members that are keen to pay for multiple years we now have a 2 year payment option. You may now renew your membership for this financial year period. Membership renewal is through the canberra brewers website here.

Upcoming Events

Oktoberfest 2024 is coming up very soon, and so are the details.. we will publish these very soon.

ACT Championships is also round the corner on between 20-22 September. Keep an eye out for further comms, including the calls for volunteer judges/stewards with 20 styles open for judging we need your help to judge some of the best beers, ciders and meads in Australia.

The ACT Champs is the qualifier for the Australian Amateur Homebrewing Championships (AKA the Nationals) to be held in Brisbane on 26 October. The first 3 place getters at the ACT Champs will be heading north to represent the ACT and the Canberra Brewers.

Carton Swap 2024 is happening again at the December 2024 meeting. Start brewing some great beers for sharing and enjoying. You can find out more details and sign up on the forum here.