Big T was talking a bit at the last meeting about training for beer judging and how he had to learn how to not only find faults but how to recommend "fixes". It occurred to me while I'm pretty good at telling if I like something or not, I'm not very good at expressing why. As I'm on the eve of my own home brewing adventure (waiting for gear to arrive) I think I'm missing an important brewing tool.
So here's what I want to throw out there to see if there's any interest. Is anyone open to getting together to teach and learn about judging? I'm thinking it would be nice to bring in some of our own brews and critique each other's beers? It would be helpful to have more experienced people there.
I know we share beers at meetings, but that really seems to be a mostly social gathering, which is a ton of fun. But I'd also like something more structured too. I also know we have the competitions a few times a year, but this wouldn't be for points or anything and wouldn't have to be one set style.
Randy
Another crazy noob idea....
Sounds like a good idea. We have tried to do some more structured tasting at the meetings in the past and it never seems to stick. I would like to see more constructive sampling as an option at the meetings.
To get things started, maybe it would be possible for members to bring a beer they would like officially critiqued at a meeting. Announce this during the meeting when we have some brief attention and those that want to participate could gather together to hear the great wisdom of our Prez. You would need a minimum of a few bottles, and more if more than a few want to join the fun. It would be nice to get more organized feedback on homebrew other than whether it is or is not good.
To get things started, maybe it would be possible for members to bring a beer they would like officially critiqued at a meeting. Announce this during the meeting when we have some brief attention and those that want to participate could gather together to hear the great wisdom of our Prez. You would need a minimum of a few bottles, and more if more than a few want to join the fun. It would be nice to get more organized feedback on homebrew other than whether it is or is not good.
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North
On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
Slappy Brewing North
On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
DAMN CRAZY NOOBS!!!!
Just kidding, I am in agreement with Randy on this. The problem with trying to do this at regular meeting is the wild assortment of beers that come to the meetings. You would have a hard time even tasting some beers after say a torpedo IPA or many of the other IPAs that so many are fond of.
My old club had 2 events monthly, one a club meeting similar to our current meeting, although they were a little more structured about it, then a second meeting each month, I think it was the first Tuesday of the month. Sometimes this was a beer tasting, where we would pick a style of beer then taste several different versions, some times this was a blind tasting with judging sometimes just for the appreciation of the style. Other months we would have big brews where the club got together and did a group brew and talked to people, which attracted a lot of new members by the way. Then other times it was DIY stuff, building a couterflow chiller or imerssion chiller, building a stir plate, even on grain crush characteristics. Lots of different ideas on this.
While I know everyone in the club is busy, this is the way I would like to see things go. I know some of you will throw out, but we would have to find a place. As, I have said many times my doors are always open to this. Especially this type of event because they tend not to go as long as the club meetings, our 2nd monthly event was usually no more then about 2 1/2 hours.
This would give us both a social event (the monthly meeting) plus something constructive that would meet the desires of several other members, and maybe even entice some of the ones who quite for this reason to come back. Then people can have the choice, Drunk brewers day Vs. Better brewing through education. I feel this is the marriage of 2 great concepts that would help all.
Note: I would be happy to put together a seperate meeting to for better brewing through education at my place if there is enough interest and the BOD agrees with the concept.
Sorry I am so long winded, wife must have put something in the coffee this morning.
Jeremy
Just kidding, I am in agreement with Randy on this. The problem with trying to do this at regular meeting is the wild assortment of beers that come to the meetings. You would have a hard time even tasting some beers after say a torpedo IPA or many of the other IPAs that so many are fond of.
My old club had 2 events monthly, one a club meeting similar to our current meeting, although they were a little more structured about it, then a second meeting each month, I think it was the first Tuesday of the month. Sometimes this was a beer tasting, where we would pick a style of beer then taste several different versions, some times this was a blind tasting with judging sometimes just for the appreciation of the style. Other months we would have big brews where the club got together and did a group brew and talked to people, which attracted a lot of new members by the way. Then other times it was DIY stuff, building a couterflow chiller or imerssion chiller, building a stir plate, even on grain crush characteristics. Lots of different ideas on this.
While I know everyone in the club is busy, this is the way I would like to see things go. I know some of you will throw out, but we would have to find a place. As, I have said many times my doors are always open to this. Especially this type of event because they tend not to go as long as the club meetings, our 2nd monthly event was usually no more then about 2 1/2 hours.
This would give us both a social event (the monthly meeting) plus something constructive that would meet the desires of several other members, and maybe even entice some of the ones who quite for this reason to come back. Then people can have the choice, Drunk brewers day Vs. Better brewing through education. I feel this is the marriage of 2 great concepts that would help all.
Note: I would be happy to put together a seperate meeting to for better brewing through education at my place if there is enough interest and the BOD agrees with the concept.
Sorry I am so long winded, wife must have put something in the coffee this morning.
Jeremy
That would be cool. I would say somebody plan an event and post it to see if you get any bites. If you get a few people you should be good to go.
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North
On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
Slappy Brewing North
On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout