Notice to new members...

If you aren't getting BFDNet email and have sent in payment (by check, or by paying cash at a meeting), please contact me at fairbrother@nhbrewers.com

Thanks
Michael Fairbrother

November BFD Club Competition - Results

Thanks to all the entrants and to Lisa and Todd for their help with judging last night. We ended up with 6 entries in the end and had a fun night of judging, "Best of Show" style.

And the winners are:

3rd place - Scott Prive - Belgian Blonde Ale
2nd place - Todd Russell, Michael Fairbrother, Mitch Steele - Belgian Triple
1st place - Scott Prive - Belgian Triple

Congratulations Scott! Your Triple will be shipped to Florida to represent BFD in the November AHA Club Only Competition. With luck the results of this competition will be posted before the December BFD meeting.

Next up - The Session Challenge – English Brown Ales. Entries will be due early February 2010.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Rob

Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition Raises $2,000 for Charity / Winners Announced

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT:     David Rosenbaum

978.409.5410

secretary@bfd.org

Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition Raises $2,000 for Charity / Winners Announced

Manchester, NH • November 20, 2009 — On Saturday, October 24^th, Brew Free or Die (BFD) and Southern Maine Homebrewers (SMH) clubs held the Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition.  The clubs jointly raised more than $2,000 to be donated to the American Cancer Society, and The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine.  In 2008, the competition donated a similar amount to the charities.

The competition, held at The Potting Shed, in Acton, ME, included judging of 343 entries from the US and Canada, representing twenty-one states and one province.  A volunteer staff of 52 judges, stewards, and others participated, making this the biggest NERHBC to date.

“We are thrilled that we had such a large number of entries and participation from a national and international group of home brewers. This is turning into a major regional event as we envisioned.” said Dana Peterson, Board Member of the Southern Maine Homebrewers. 

The 2009 New England Regional Homebrew Competition was 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.   Congratulations to this year’s winners, including:

• Home Brewer of the Year (sponsored by Samuel Adams): Rob North of Manchester, NH
• Cider Maker of the Year (Sponsored by Woodchuck Draft Cider): Joshua Persson of Warwick, RI
• Mead Maker of the Year (sponsored by Maine Mead Works): Michael Fairbrother of Londonderry, NH  
• Best of Show Award:  Michael Fairbrother of Londonderry, NH

A complete list of winners is posted at http://www.bfd.org/nerhbc

“We are truly excited at the number of entries and level of participation in this year’s competition.  BFD donates to the American Cancer Society in memory of our late member, Don Merkey.  It is a great way to honor Don’s love of brewing, and to raise money for two worthy charities." said Eric Shroder, Treasurer of Brew Free or Die.

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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BFD Barrel projects

This is the current information regarding BFD barrel aging projects.  New information will be posted as we go forward.  Recipe's used in the barrel projects can be posted as comments to this posting. This will be updated from time to time as needed.

Barrel #	Location	Current Contents	Date for fill/empty	New Contents	Shares Available
1	Herlicka’s	Tripel	7 Nov	Wild Red Ale	No
2	Fairbrother’s	Old Ale	12 Dec	English Barleywine	Yes
3	Fairbrother’s	RIS #2		Not to be refilled	XXX
4	Faribrother’s	Empty			Yes
5	Fairbrother’s	Empty			Yes

October Club Competition Results

First of all thanks to Michael, Rick, and Kurt for judging the entries Friday night. So without further adieu:

3rd Place - Todd Russell - Oktoberfest
2nd Place - Mike Carthy - Oktoberfest
1st Place - Rob North - Oktoberfest

Thanks to all who entered. I will scan your scoresheets and will email them to you in the next couple of days, and will get you your ribbons ASAP.

Looking ahead, the November Club Competition style is Belgian Strong Ale. Judging will take place Friday 11/20 in Manchester. Please email me if you are planning to enter or can help judging.

Rob

LongShot wnners Video

Samuel Adams LongShot Winners announced.

The Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest selects beers from two homebrewers and a Boston Beer employee's recipe to make up the yearly release of the LongShot variety pack.

Michael Robinson, a long time Brew Free or Die member, has an Old Ale in the pack, Ben Miller of New Mexico contributes a Barleywine, and Jeremy White, an IT employee at Boston Beer, offers a Belgian-style Saison. Congratulations to all three winners, but I have to express how happy I am for Michael Robinson. This was Michael's second time in a row as a LongShot finalist. I just wish I could have been there in person to say well done!!!

The LongShot pack is slated for release in April 2010, my hope is to get to try some of that beer well before April.

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.