January 2020 Meeting Notes

January 2020 Meeting Notes – Sunday 1/19/2020

* Thanks to Southern Hills Homebrew Supply For Hosting!

  • Tech Talk – CO2 Cold Crash Balloon (Rudy Lyon)
  • Tech Talk – iSpindel (Adam Kendall)
    • https://www.ispindel.de/docs/README_en.html
    • Works like the Tilt digital hydrometer, but is open hardware (plans given out for free)
    • Measures specific gravity and temperature by using accelerometers to measure angle.
    • Higher SG more shallow angle.
    • Uses WiFi to publish metrics (can go to Brewfather, CraftBeerPI)
    • Winner of free kit (Price is Right style), Jim Nicholas, with a guess of $37. Actual price: $38.76
    • Parts list: https://www.ispindel.de/docs/Parts_en.html
  • Style Presentation : 15C Irish Extra Stout (Chris Gray)
  • Next Meeting: Robb offers Southern Hills for hosting again (SUN – 02/16)
  • 2020 Meeting Locations: Who wants to host?? (Nov still open)
    • March competition hosted by James and Joan (March 15?)
    • Still need someone to host November
  • Treasurer’s Report- Mike U.
    • $7086.92, 73 paid members
  • 2020 Budget Proposal – Harry M
    • Start the year at $6241
    • About 1800 surplus from last year, better Throwdown profit, less expenses than budgeted
    • Proposing a budget that is an operational loss of around $1300
      • Budgeting includes extraordinary expenditures for:
        • Homebrew Con (club night?)
        • Big Willy updates (CO2 distribution)
        • Catering Big Brew and December Christmas Party/Meeting
  • Off flavor kits and training
    • ABC licenses for Big Brew, LTHB, Highland games
    • Projecting less income from Throwdown
    • Budget passes motion to approve
  • Throwdown 2020 Committee Update – Ken S-K
    • March 20/21
    • Still looking for volunteers for food coordination on days of the event, begging for swag
    • Will be coordination meeting next week. If you attend, you will be put to work doing something
    • Have been known for having some of the best prizes in the country
    • David Houseman (BJCP Grand Master Judge) has volunteered again to judge
    • Really need folks to step up to steward and judge (can volunteer for this on the web site)
  • Competition Updates : Steve Lusk
    • Website is up to date with upcoming competitions
    • Start thinking about beers for Dominion Cup (Richmond), War of the Worts (PA)
    • Devils Backbone is doing homebrew lager competition, camping weekend as well (March 29)
  • Proposed Bylaws Amendment: Competition Rules and Scoring (Voting)
    • Keep Same: 2 (7 online) = 9
    • Bonus Points: 5 (10 online = 15
    • Committee: 3 (1 online) = 4
  • 50/50 Raffle – Harry
    • $90 Total: $45 to winner, $45 to club
    • Ian wins
    • Secondary prize, skull wall bottle opener – Carlton
  • Open Floor
    • Member of year – Format to be decided by committee, looking for someone to lead
    • Will award Member of the year for folks who help the club succeed but don’t necessarily
    • brew for Brewer of the Year
    • Robb offers secondary classroom building for any event the club would like to do
    • Will need coordination on dates, but open to anything
    • Reminder, that he does deliveries to Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg if you order ahead of time
  • Attendance: 35