February 2019 meeting notes

Belgian Dark Strong Presentation – John Merkwan
- Great presentation on the differences between true Trappist vs Abbey style and origins
- Higher ABV, but well hidden. Smooth and dangerous.
- 4 commercial versions presented:
  - Boulevard Sixth Glass, Chimay Grand Reserve (Blue), Rochefort 8, St. Bernardus Abt 12
- Competition will beat the December meeting
- Start thinking about brewing and aging for that extra danger factor

Thank you Rudy & Diane for hosting
- Much larger spread of food. Thanks everyone for pitching in.
- Thanks for all the beer gifts for our hosts as well. It’s very appreciated.

Next Meeting Sunday March 10 at James and Joan Browns
- Dunkels Weissbier Competition
- Harry offered alternative location in case needed

Treasurer’s Report from Mike U.
- 70 members as of today
- $5370.00 account balance

Reminders: Membership dues and BYO subs
- Please pay by the end of February
- You can’t compete unless dues are paid
- BYO now offering discount for print, digital and digital/print
- Use offer code “club19”
- BYO willing to allow tack-on for those that already bought into print with club

Industry Memberships
- 3 Notch’d has signed on (GM and 3 brewery staff)
- Allen meeting with 3 notched rep soon
- Tap takeover at Wasena Taproom on Wed.
- May do a mini-competition, brew for Microfestivus

Throwdown Updates
- Chris, Allen, Ken and Rudy up to $4300 in donations
- Goal is $5000
- Currently have 99 entries of the 125 entry cap
- Local breweries will do category winners, not just Best of Show
  - 8 categories
  - Amber – Deschutes
  - Belgian – Chaos
  - Dark Special – A Few Old Goats
  - IPA – Twin Creeks
  - Dark Standard – Soaring Ridge
  - Light Standard – Olde Salem
  - Light Special – Rising Silo
  - Strong – Hammer and Forge
  - Best of Show – Big Lick
  - Best of show gets brewed at two locations, for category and best of show
  - Breweries very excited to brew winners
- Still need stewards and judges, sign up with Matt K.

Judges Training
- Ran by Ken S-K and Matt K.
- Great presentation!
- Will try to get one more session before Throwdown, so please participate if you plan to judge
- Lecture on how to judge, and group critique of commercial beer
- On your own judging of both commercial and a Homebrew example
- Email Matt or Ken for further resources toward becoming BJCP certified
- We are looking for more members to get their BJCP and/or Cicerone rating

Competition Updates
- Steve in process of getting all information on SCBG website
- Will be gathering info on organizing localized competitions
- Will be posting winning recipes and brewer profiles, tips techniques, etc
- Several members accepted for National Homebrew Competition

Green Hill Highland Games – Aug 24
- Brian R in touch with park and rec for Roanoke County
- Chad who organizes games providing vendor booth for no cost
- Will need volunteers: demonstrations, check IDs, and sample serving
- Will need actual samples (kegs/bottles/growlers) and need to get ABC license for event
- Allen suggest talking to SH & Blue Ridge Hydroponics for ingredient donation

Brew Do Festival – Oct 26
- If we want to do a physical presence at the festival, volunteers are needed to coordinate

GO Fest – Oct 18-20
- Takumi wants to pass the torch to new volunteer for organizer
- Event good for public outreach, not necessarily to drive membership
- We get a significant discount on booth space

Homebrew Con – June 27-29
- In Providence, RI – east coast location
- Might want to gather folks to do a group road trip/caravan
- Paul M. Says best beer event you’ve ever been to
- Guild can do display, has equipment, need to do logistics