New Friends, New Beers: The Not-So-Big Brew Day Update

 Transferring John's wort to his primary...

National Homebrewing Day dawned damp and gray in Minnesota -- and the Bottomless Pint crew was torn between brewing and celebrating the ordination of local seminarian Paul Shovelain to the transitional deaconate -- one step away from the Catholic priesthood, God willing. Turnout for our brewing day was consequently light.

I opted for a bit of both events: I slipped down to the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis for Deacon Paul's ordination, then home and to our president's garage for brewing and sampling. I brewed Northern Brewer's Brunch Stout kit -- another delicious-sounding ale made with Maris-Otter malt (along with Belgian candi syrup and French roast coffee). Butch helped first-time brewer John, who came with his father Ron and the Hank's Hefeweizen kit from Midwest Supplies. I'm fairly certain this is the first time any of our men has brewed either of these kits, so we'll have to schedule a tasting later this spring!

We were also joined by two other Rons -- Ron from Albertville, whom Fr. Richards recommended to our ranks, and Ron from Rogers, who found us online. Both brought beers to sample: a easy-drinking Pilsner Urquell clone and a nicely peaty Scottish Export ale, respectively, to complement the Irish Draught Ale that I brought. Those brews, some sourdough pretzels, and some delectable pepper-jack beef sticks supplied by the Rogers contingent, made for an enjoyably warm afternoon, despite the weather. Wish you were there!

BIG BREW DAY!

Saturday, May 4, is National Homebrewing Day -- the Biggest Brew Day of the Year! Join Bottomless Pint Brewers at the home of our illustrious president Butch beginning at high noon to brew, sample great beers, talk shop, and more! Bring your latest brew to share!

We'd like as many men as possible brewing -- but especially for newer brewers, we'd like to stagger the starts -- so email bottomlesspint@gmail.com to let us know if you plan to brew. Also: if you'd like to brew but don't have your own gear, let us know and we'll pull together loaner equipment for you -- all you'll need is an ingredient kit!

Additional details:

• For an address or directions, email bottomlesspint@gmail.com.
• If you'd like to bring snacks or something grillable to share, that would be great, too!
• We are starting at noon because local seminarian Paul will be ordained to the transitional deaconate at 10 a.m. Mass at the Basilica -- go there, then come celebrate!
• This is also a great time to pay your dues and/or get your membership cards -- remember: 10% off at all local and area brew suppliers!

Cheers -- hope to see you there!

First Brew Session of 2013!

After a long, busy fall and winter, Bottomless Pint Brewers is holding its first club brew session of 2013 -- Sunday, Feb. 24, in Butch Nielsen's garage. We'll be there around 10 a.m. (after 8:30 mass) to start, so any time after that, stop by to brew or just visit and sample whatever's on hand.

If you have time, please email bottomlesspint@gmail.com to let us know you're coming. If you'd like to brew but don't have the gear, let us know -- we may be able to arrange for equipment, too!

Brew Session and Upcoming Events

I forgot to take photos, but here's a quick summary of our brew session and possible upcoming events discussed at the club meeting yesterday.

Brew session
We gathered at Nielsens garage around 1 p.m. Karl brewed two full all-grain batches: a Spotted Cow cream ale clone and an imperial stout, both all-grain batches from Midwest Supplies. Butch and silent auction winner Joe D. brewed Joe's beer, Cologne Kolsch, an extract kit from Midwest -- which came off without a hitch. I was there, and prospective new members and St. Michael parishioners Trevor G. and Michael P., and Butch's neighbor Mike, also stopped by. We sampled my St. Paul Porter (extract kit from Northern Brewer) and Kulmbacher Eisbock, an unusual, strong, and sweet German beer I inherited from my dad, who has kept in in his well pit for years now.

Possible upcoming events

• November: We need to pick a Friday for a field trip to Steel Toe Brewing (tours at 6 and 7 p.m. Fridays, no reservation needed; free tasting; appears to be no charge) and The Four Firkins beer store (open 'til 9; beer tasting after 6 p.m.) -- plus Midwest, if need be, since they're all close to each other.
• Saturday, Dec. 1: Town Hall Brewery tour -- $7 per person for a brewery tour, samples, a pint of beer, a Town Hall sample glass, and 10% off meals -- first Saturday of the month; reservation required. I will let them know we want to do this since space is limited -- we'll need to see who wants to come.
• February: Try to schedule a Theology on Tap tasting and speaker event -- could make it a couples thing. I plan to see if Deacon Nevin (also a brewer, I believe) would speak.

Further updates
As of this morning, Butch says Joe D.'s Kolsch is fermenting nicely; they are planning to transfer next Saturday at Butch's, and bottle hopefully the following weekend at my place. This afternoon I bottled 51 12-oz bottles and five big bottles of English Pale Ale from Hanover Wine and Spirits and Brew Supplies for the upcoming Catholic Man Night.

Save the Date!Club Brew Session and First Regular Meeting

We will be holding a club brew session at Butch Nielsen's garage on Saturday, Oct. 13, beginning just after lunch (around 1 p.m.). Anyone who wants to brew that day is welcome -- we will also be hosting the winner of our Bottomless Pint Brewers Introduction to Homebrewing package at the St. Michael Fall Festival Silent Auction, Joe Donlon, as he brews his first ale with us!

I'm sure there will be brews to sample. Feel free to bring snacks to share. If you plan to brew and do not have your own gear, let us know, as some of our extra gear (and most of our extra bottles) will be used for Joe's batch.

Our goal is to be done brewing by 5 p.m. or so in order to hold our first monthly club meeting, currently scheduled for the second Saturday of the month beginning at 6 p.m. This first meeting will be primarily focused on discussing what we hope to get out of the club, possible club activities or events you'd like to be a part of, etc. Future meetings won't always be preceded by a brew session, and will
generally include sampling, a short presentation on a beer- or brewing-related topic (like this one,) then general fraternity. Actual business will be kept to a minimum, we hope!

We encourage those who brew with us on Oct. 13 to stay for the meeting, and anyone who can't come early to try to join us at 6 p.m.

Either way, it promises to be a fun day! Join us!