July 2011 Meeting Recap

It was a full house for a July meeting.

Short Leash Dogs and Mojo Ice kept everyone well fed before and during the meeting. We had a taste of Fretzy's Unfiltered Ale and of course our own delicious homebrew.

Special guests included:

Greg Fretz, George Hancock and John Donehower of Phoenix Ale Brewery

Louis Dolgoff of the Beer For Brains Foundation

Peter Seemann of Crescent Crown

We also had 8 new brewers check us out.

Our featured speaker from Phoenix Ale Brewery was George Hancock. George gave us a history of the origins of the brewery and their decision to locate in Phoenix. He also gave us some background on the scene in Washington State and Phoenix Ale Brewery's Pyramid pedigree. Head Brewer John Donehower (and new ASH member) gave us a background on the house yeast (ringwood) and the Belgian malt bill components that set his ordinary bitter apart. Greg Fretz let us know where the beer can be purchased and handed out some beer extraction hardware.

We learned that the tasting room would not be open until perhaps Fall or whenever the bottling line becomes operational. We also learned that the next beer out would be an English IPA and the winter warmer might be a Bier de Garde.

100

I led a discussion on he best beer festivals in Arizona. It was not surprising that Strong Beer and ASH Oktoberfest were the top 2. I also asked which beer festivals in the US rank among the highest (GABF, NHC, OBF, SAVOR). We talked about the value of each festival, the types of beer offered and what was included.

Next, I made the argument that the Beer for Brains, RAREaffair is a beer event that is in our state that ranks in the top 5 in the nation and is an outstanding value. The beer will be largely beers that are aged or unobtainable in AZ. There are 3 bands, wine, spirits, cigars and food. This is an event in our own backyard and it deserves our support.

Louis Dolgoff spoke about the foundation and how the proceeds of the event would go toward brain cancer research. He said that the event is like the best beer wedding you ever went to and you don't have to get married or give a gift!

There are 109 days before the event. If tickets are purchased before August 15th there is a $10 discount with the following code: LIKEBFBF11. If you save a couple of bucks a day or $15/ week, you have no excuses.

As the President of ASH, I made a commitment that ASH would support this event in every way that we can. I am asking each one of our members to give this event your full consideration. The goal that I have set for us is for 100 of our members to attend the RAREaffair.

Please chime in here when you purchase or if you have questions.

Also announced:

Brew Camp

Dates were announced for Brew Camp, our collaboration with Gangplank. Content and volunteer help is requested.