4th Annual NERHBC Announced - Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    

CONTACT:     David Rosenbaum, 978.409.5410, secretary@bfd.org

Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition Announced

Manchester, NH • September 8, 2009 — On Saturday, October 24^th, Brew Free or Die (BFD) and Southern Maine Homebrewers (SMH) clubs are jointly hosting the Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society, and The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine.  In 2008, the competition donated a total of $2,200.00 to the charities.

Winners will be selected from what are expected to be more than 300 entries of homebrewed beer, cider and mead from across the country.  Last year 20 states were represented with 290 entries in all BJCP recognized categories.  Entries will be accepted, between September 28^th and October 9^th, with judging to be held at The Shed in Acton, ME on Saturday, October 24^th, starting at 9am.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for homebrewers from across the country to showcase their beer, cider and mead.  We have had some truly fine entries to judge in the past, and I expect this year to be even better.” said Steve Loignon, Board Member of the Southern Maine Homebrewers. 

The 2009 New England Regional Homebrew Competition is sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and site sponsor, The Shed of Acton Maine.  Supported by dozens of other sponsors, NERHBC is among the largest homebrewing competitions in New England, and is sanctioned by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).  The competition awards gold, silver and bronze medals in 28 style categories. Homebrewer of the Year (sponsored by Samuel Adams), Cidermaker of the Year (Sponsored by Woodchuck Draft Cider) and Meadmaker of the Year (sponsored by Maine Mead Works) honors, plus the Best of Show Award, are awarded to the top amateur brewers as determined through the competition.

“Each year the NERHBC has gotten bigger and better, and this year we have a new set of terrific prizes from our sponsors to recognize the efforts of the entrants.  It is a great way to honor Don Merkey’s love of brewing and to raise money for two worthy charities." said Michael Fairbrother, President of Brew Free or Die.

Information about entering the competition, judging, stewarding, and sponsorship is available at http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC.  A complete list of winners will be posted on the competition website after the competition.

This year’s competition is being planned and run by club members from of local clubs Brew Free or Die, New Hampshire’s Oldest Homebrew Club, and Southern Maine Homebrewers.  Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is the competition sponsor, while other sponsors include The Shed, Samuel Adams, Maine Mead Works, Woodchuck Draft Cider, National Chemicals, March Pumps, Time Honored Designs and Shapleigh Hops, among many other local and national firms.  A complete list of sponsors is available on http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC.

For more information, including entry forms and registration for judges and stewards, please see the competition website: http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC.

Brew Free or Die (BFD) is New Hampshire's first, and most active, homebrew club. BFD was started in January of 1991 by several home brewers, intent on establishing a homebrew club in New Hampshire to 'host' the American Homebrewers Association conference held in June of that year in Manchester. BFD's membership is currently around 80 members, representing all levels of experience and expertise.

Southern Maine Homebrewers  (SMH) was founded in 2004 to preserve and promote the time honored tradition of home brewing; to share each others knowledge and experience about beer, mead, cider & wine brewing, tasting & judging,.  SMH also maintains involvement with the AHA and their competitions through club sponsored entries and activities.  SMH is Maine’s largest homebrew club.

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What makes BFD such a great club?

Brew Free or Die, is based on a simple premise, that great beer, mead, cider is something that is to be cherished and lessons learned from each other, ok the official story is a bit longer, but that's my take tonight.

This club has at least 3 professional brewers, a few who are lurking in the background and working on plans, and dozens of world class home brewers, to guys and gals who just brew as it's what they like to do.

It's a place where homebrewers with little to no experience can grow, and where those that win MCAB, and dozens of other national competitions shine, and share.

I have been an active part of this club for 15 years, and I can't even begin to describe how much this club means to me, and how proud I am that this "little club from NH" is so well respected. We have something here, that's genuine, and we brew as strong as any club in this country.

We are the largest we have ever been... and that's not such a bad thing! Lots of interest, and it continues to grow, and we intern, reinvest in our members.

Hope to see everyone at the Homebrewers Jamboree, in Campton NH, on September 12th. Look me up, and stop by and have a beer, and discuss why you should join up with us.

Who's happier than David????

Patriot Homebrew Winner news update...

David Rosenbaum, will be on the Loren & Wally show on WROR (105.7 FM) tomorrow (Thursday, 9/20/2009) morning at 7am EDT with Jim Koch of Sam Adams. If you aren't in Boston, you can listen at http://www.wror.com, but you have to sign up first to access the stream. He will be talking about beer, naturally!

Drinking Haikus

From Susan Picard:

Dan Hall and I have toiled long and hard, and have come up with three Haikus that we think describe our favorite Tuesday nite drinking destination. As you're probably aware (but I'm putting it in here in case you're not), haikus are a Japanese 3-line poem that have a particular number of syllables per line: 5-7-5. Maybe they should be on the BFD site - they are good for a laugh. Here they are:

Title: The Strange Brew Tavern

Good cheap beer with friends.
Appetizers at half price.
Bill comes, low money.

Title: The Regulars' Roost
Standing long time sucks.
Must maneuver for a perch.
The peninsula!

Title: Drinking Precedence
Hoegaarden to start.
Then move on to harder stuff.
Victory Storm King!

Hops Direct LLC donates 25lbs of whole leaf hops to the club.

Well I had a great vacation last week, took some time off to attend the Craft Brewer's Conference, where I got to see and learn quite a bit about craft beer and make new friends, and see some great old friends.

One such new friend... the fine folks from Puterbaugh Frams, aka www.hopsdirect.com, they were getting ready to clean up from the event and had this beautiful bale of 25lbs of Willamette Leaf Hops that was looking for a home.



Well as President of Brew Free or Die, I couldn't let said hops go to waste... so I offered my assistance and the promise of a plug (pun intended) or two... so club... here ya go... we have some, ok quite a bit, of hops that can be used for All English-style Ales, and US Pale and Brown Ales. My plan is to bring the bale of hops to the May meeting for distribution to the club. ... BRING baggies, lots of BAGGIES. Kurt Demmer and I get first crack... but the rest is open to the club members.

The hops have been bagged, and placed into my hop freezer, yes my hop freezer is as full as it's ever been.

Thank you Puterbaugh Farms, I really appreciate your generousity!

New Style: Gluten Free Beer

Commerical Gluten Free Beer

The most common Gluten Free (GF) beers available domestically are extract-based using Sorghum. I've included a picture of some of the bottles.

The plan as discussed at the March meeting is to develop a new style for the BJCP Style Guidelines. However, first I would like to characterize some of the commerically available brands with the help of the club members. I will be posting progress on this blog under the topic "Gluten Free Beer".

As an example a new category could be:

XX. Gluten Free Beer.

XXa. American Sorghum Ale GF.

Commerical examples:

AB Redbridge, Bards, New Grist

XXb. Belgium Sorghum GF.

Commerical examples:

Greens

XXc. Light Ale GF.

Commerical examples:

La Messagier

During one of our meetings I will also give a presentation on ingredients that are acceptable for Gluten Free beer. Hopefully I can also set up a tasting.

Please feel free to comment.

Harold

Patriot Homebrew Competition and the winner is???

David Rosenbaum, a very active club member who has previously been vice president of Brew Free or Die, and is currently its acting webmaster, and secretary... has just won the 2008/9 Patriot Homebrew Competition!!!

This competition had over 170 entries from all over New England.



David has been a season pass holder for the New England Patriots for as long as I have known him, here he's in the background at 2007/8 competition, in the #80 jersey.

I can't imagine what it's going to be like to have a beer that you created and brewed at home, be made commercially and have on draft while you are watching the game, but I have to imagine it's going to be incredible. I would also imagine getting to work with the brewers at Samuel Adams is also going to be a blast.

So congratulations David!

Michael Fairbrother

Brew Free or Die --- now owns Mead Free or Die

The first national Mead only competition to be held in all of New England is now for the benefit of Brew Free or Die.

Mead Free or Die, which has support from over 17 sponsors thus far, is scheduled for April 25th 2009, to be held in Manchester NH.

See www.meadfreeordie.com for more information about the competition.