MaSH February 2016 Newsletter

Hello MaSHers and friends!

Check out that sweet new logo!  Thanks to Mark Ruder for scouting the talent for the new modernized logo.  We'll have single color versions as well.  At some point we will have glasses, clothing, etc. available for purchase. 

January was a great meeting, thanks to all who attended.  You can check out the summary of the meeting here if you missed it - http://eepurl.com/bNJJAr. As mentioned in the club update there is a lot going on and a lot the board is planning to undertake and those will be continuously brought up as they progress or as help is needed.

This month we will again have the Feedback Foyer. Thank you again to those who participated last month, we hope we helped!  As with last month please bring the following information - your recipe, your gravity numbers and if applicable mash temp and process, what do you want from the feedback providers.  This could be anything from how can I get this beer a little more orange in appearance to what the heck went wrong in this fusel phenol green apple butter bomb to how can I get more bubble gum than clove from my hefeweizen yeast or what coriander is the right one to use in my brew.  We'll try our best to help if we can.

Club dues are due!  Don't believe Meetup, they don't know what they're talking about.  Club dues end on 12/31 each year which is why anyone who signed up in Q2, Q3 or Q4 paid a discounted rate. Dues are again $40 annually and go to things like club competition prizes, club buses for events, the club bbq/holiday meeting and in the future hopefully some club equipment as well.  Feedback on the dues amount is always welcome and reviewed each year.  Eric will have a credit card reader for anyone that wishes to pay their dues at the February meeting and we can also accept cash.  Also below please find a "Pay My Dues" button paypal link that you can use to pay.  Please include your full name and email address in the details so I mark the correct person paid!

For the February presentation Eric will be giving a discussion on Brew in a Bag (BIAB).  This popular mashing method has helped ease the transition from extract brewing to all-grain for many brewers and is becoming quite popular.  There will be some example gear to check it out and Eric will share his experience with the club and be available to answer any questions.

The Marin County Fair is coming!  Registration will be opening soon.  This is a MaSH sponsored and run event so please volunteer to help.  We will need assistance in registering beer prior to the event, picking it up from various dropoff location and more importantly help judging and stewarding.  Even if you've never judged please volunteer to do so.  You will be paired with a certified judge to help discuss the process and we as a club can do some training beforehand as well.  Help a fellow brewer make better beer!

Quarterly Style competition updates - Judging will be an abridged score sheet with a number value and brief comments.  Assistance in judging is encouraged!  It's a great way to get your feet wet and familiarize yourself with the process and scoresheet. There will be prizes in the form of J&M gift certificates for first, second and third (assuming enough entries).  We are also trying to get additional swag for winners and may also include a club choice favorite brew.  Winner will also get first refusal on choosing the next style / requirement.  This means they can pick the next quarter's competition or decline and the board will choose the next quarter competition. To help us get an understanding of the number of entries, please leave a post in the comment section on meetup for the March meeting letting us know to expect an entry. Also, please bring plenty of samples, for example 3 12 oz bottles, 2 22oz bombers or a 32oz growler.  We'll probably need 2 12oz for judging and you'll want to share with the club as well.  Finally, we are discussing some sort of internal club prize for the "Brewer of the Year" for the quarterly style competitions.  We haven't quite determined everything but it's in discussion, ideas are great to hear so pass them on.  It's likely points will be earned/tracked for placed finishes. Link to Meetup Event - http://www.meetup.com/Marin-Society-of-Homebrewing/events/228809363/

A big THANK YOU! to Steve Petcavich for hosting the meeting this month.  Details and location are available on meetup.  Bring snacks to share along with the provided popcorn, a chair just in case (although some will be provided) and admire with complements Steve's new tiered brewing system.
I also want to thank the other club members who offered to host meetings as well and please expect us to take you up on that offer in the future. 

Also below see links to the Facebook group, club website, last months meeting summary and the Pay by Dues! button.

Bottoms Up!
Damien