March 2019 HOPS Brew Club Meeting Minutes

12 members in attendance


Topics of Discussion:

1. Super Heroes' in Ripped Jeans Fund Raiser Event ( HOPS for Hounds) has been set for Saturday, June 8th at the American Legion, from 1-5 pm. The style of beer is open, so if you'd like to brew a beer for the event, you can make what ever style you prefer. It was also an idea to name the beers you make after your pets. It would be nice to have at least ten brewers, more would be even better. We also discussed switching the monthly styles for June and July to accommodate the event. So June's style will now be open,
   
2. The Lions Club is also interested in another event for this fall. We will keep everyone updated on the particulars when we know more.
3. ​Some upcoming events include:   a. 4/27-28 Tap NY at Hunter Mountain.
4. March style was English Bitters: there are three styles of bitters, Ordinary, Best, and Strong.
5. Commercial samples: Fullers ESB (strong) 5.4%, and Coniston Brewing Co. Blue Bird Bitter (ordinary) 4.2%

​            Members Offerings:

1.  Matt B.: Crikey a Grockel ESB Bevy, pale malt, Maris otter, Target, Challenger, Northdown hops, Dry English Ale yeast, 4.7% overall not bad
2. Eric B.: did a 75 minute boil, London ale yeast, Challenger hops, sat 20 days in primary. flavor notes, vegetal, band aid, chlorine. Possible reason for some of the off flavors was the length of time in the primary. ​
   
3. Chris H. & Frank W.: Strong Bitter, 100% Maris otter UK Goldings, English Ale Yeast 5.4%, very butterscotch aroma, Caramel, nice bitter finish on back of tongue
   
4. Chris C.: Kit Beer, Honey Brown w/raspberry 3#'s honey, S05 yeast. Sweet
   
5. Chris H. & Frank W.: English Strong Ale: with Macha Tea Powder, intent was to produce a green beer without using artificial coloring's. Green tint in primary, but settled out in secondary. Homegrown Halltauer Hops, 9.3% abv @ 37 IBU's, was good
   
6. Todd S. & George M.: Commercial beers: Rogue 4 Hopped; clove and tomato sauce basil flavors. Rogue 7 Hopped boozy, floral, sweeter then 4 hopped
   
7. Wes A.: Stop the Madness- Imperial Stout, 4#'s brown Sugar, 12oz Choc. malt, Chinook Hops, Steeped Dark Grains, 92.6 IBU's like it a lot, Stone fruit, Cherry, Good Beer
   
8. Eric B.: 17% Mead, smooth, not hot, Good, no off flavor
9. Josh P.: Raisin Mead, 20#'s honey, 6#'s raisins. Sweet, raisin flavor , tart finish
   ​

Side note on off flavors. This came from Kegerator.com from an article on off flavors: Any off flavors not arising from contamination are always a result of your brewing practice such as uncontrolled fermentation temperatures, waiting to long to rack to a secondary, weak boils, poor bottling technique, or simply choosing the wrong yeast.



Next Meeting is set for April 19th, at the American Legion at 6:30 p.m. A Fish Fry Dinner will be offered for $10.00. Hope to see you there. The style is open so bring whatever you have..

1. Reminder of the beer styles for the remaining months of 2019:
   

April: open
May: Pilsner
June: open
July: Cream Ale
August: 3% ABV or as close to 3% as you can get.
September: Dunkel
October: open
November: Brett Beer
December Belgian Dubbel
January 2020: Wheat Wine


​