And Now a Word from President Robin Chitwood:
February 25, 2005
The number of entries
in the KLCC Brewfest homebrew competition grew considerably this year. There
were so many in fact, that judging had to be done on two separate days. Best of
show went to Brian Ellingbore for a Belgian style ale. Club members Phillip
McKinney and Ben VanDusen received honorable mention. Phillip entered a fruit
beer and Ben had a light ale. Siletz Brewery took the Peoples Choice first
place for their chocolate porter. Steelhead came in second for their Iron
Brewer Collaboration Brew and Pelican Brewery took third with their India
Pelican Ale. This was the first year the homebrew competition has been BJCP
sanctioned. Thanks to Jamie Floyd for setting this up so BJCP judges can now
get credit for participating.
Our tech meeting for
February was a tasting session intended to introduce inexperienced beer tasters
to some aspects of beer judging. However, most of the members who showed up
were already experienced beer judges. Experienced or not, homebrewers never
tire of sniffing, sipping and pontificating on the various attributes of their
favorite beverage. A good time was had by all. Thanks to Greg Bolt for hosting
the meeting and for hauling off all those beer bottles.
Ever grow your own
hops? The planting season is from March to May. Instead of planting seed,
growers propagate hops from rhizomes in order to preserve their genetic
identity. Rhizomes should be showing up in homebrew shops soon and can be
ordered on-line and by mail order from many sources. Freshops, in Philomath,
offers about two- dozen varieties. Their rhizomes will be available after March
20th. Hops are easy to grow. They prefer sandy loam soil, full sun
and good drainage. Don’t plant a hop vine too near your house. Once established
they can grow up to a foot per day and can reach a height of over twenty feet.
They will grow up on the roof and under the shingles. A short article on hop
cultivation can be found on the Alternative Beverage website.
If you like
well-conditioned light lagers and Pilsners it’s not too early to brew those
you’ll want to be drinking in the heat of summer. There’s nothing quite like a
crisp, malty Bohemian Pilsner on a blistering hot day. This time of year you
can ferment a lager in the garage if you’re careful not to let it get too cold
at night. The only really difficult thing is saving it ‘till summer.
Whatever you plan to
brew, check with Nate Sampson for your yeast culture. Nate keeps a large bank
of yeast slips and they’re free for the asking.
On the schedule for March 12th
is a club brew at the home of Matt Jarvis where we will attempt to clone the revered
Anchor Liberty Ale. I have a special fondness for this beer since it was one of
the few good beers available before the microbrewery revolution, when Budweiser
ruled. It is still often my beer of choice when I’m in a small town and have to
buy beer in a grocery store. These club
brews are an excellent way to pick up tips and see other brewers in action.
And, if you’re lucky, you might witness some minor disasters and some brilliant
recoveries. See you there. RC
PLEASE PAY YOUR DUES !!
Haven't paid your dues this year? Please send a check for $20 (per household) made out to
"Cascade Brewers Society" to Lori Liudahl, c/o CBS, 1037 Berntzen Rd.
Eugene, OR 97402.
Also, don’t forget that our club website is growing bigger
every day! See what Denny has done with www.hbd.org/cascade
Club Information:
For over 20 years, Cascade Brewers Society is a sometimes formal, but
mostly informal club devoted to the appreciation and art of creating fine alcoholic
beverages (you know; beer, mead, cider, and wine). For more information
regarding the Cascade Brewers Society, please contact Robin Chitwood at
342-2397.