FEBRUARY 2025​​

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The February meeting began with a zoom presentation by the executive director of the AHA, Julia Herz.  Julia reported that the AHA is breaking from the Brewers Association to become a completely independent nonprofit.  She is in the process of building out the new board. More on the change here - https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/news/aha-is-going-independent/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_meduim=Email&utmCampaign=AHA&utm_content

 

Julia stated the HomebrewCon will not occur this year due to the transition.  Julia recommended that clubs establish a website to assist in membership recruiting among other benefits.  It was suggested the AHA look into providing a standardized website design for clubs.  It would cost less and it would be able to maintain club info, ie, contacts, phone numbers, email addresses.  We informed Julia the current club roster available on the AHA website is very out of date.

After the presentation, we moved outside to enjoy oysters and sides.  Following the oyster roast we reconvened inside to conduct the business portion of the meeting.  During the business meeting we enjoyed a mystery beer (Weeping Radish dark Czech lager) provided by Rob Palmer and a Steam homebrew provide by Rob Pokelwaldt.  Thanks to Sean for picking up the oysters and to Tad for his yummy Mexican side dish, and Rob and Rob for the brews.

Summaries on the business planning discussions follows.

Discussions with NC homebrew clubs

Four homebrew clubs were contacted – Mountain Ale and Lager Tasters, Caroline Brew Masters, Down East Alers, and Pinehurst.   Active membership ranged from 25 to 60 members.  Dues ranged from $20 to $35 a year.  Meetings were monthly and followed the typical agenda.  Three of the four included food in the meetings.   Two had websites and two had FB pages.  All had some form of by-laws.  Membership recruiting was via word of mouth and social media.

 

ABC Regulation on Public Tastings/Club by-laws

The group continued discussion on the ABC regulation on public sampling and benefits of establishing by-laws.  The majority of the club indicated they do not want to pursue compliance to the ABC regulation.  The group further decided we would keep the club informal without establishing by-laws, and that there would continue to be $0 dues.  Club expenses will continue to be funded via equipment fundraiser sales and other events, as needed.    

 

Membership recruiting

Ways to attract new members was discussed.  Sean suggested a OBX Homebrewers business card that could be placed at restaurants and breweries.   Keeping the flyer updated at OBX Winery is another.  Another suggestion is to plan and host a tasting event at a monthly meeting and solicit “guest” participation via flyers at restaurants and breweries and on social media.  Some expressed concern over getting too big. 

** Update from February meeting 

  We discussed the value of a website for membership recruiting.  The cost of a professional multi-page web design is generally around $400.  When the site needs updating, a charge of $40/hour is common.  To put the web design online - including hosting, a domain name (obxhomebrewers.org), and email (info@obxhomebrewers.org) is commonly around $200 -$300/year. Less expensive web designs and hostings, etc., are offered but lack quality, reliability and professionalism.  With the club contributing $200, Tom Welch has agreed to cover the balance of the cost of a professional web design, costs associated with periodic website updates, and the cost of hosting, domain name and email.  Once online, the website can be shared on social media such as OBX Locals, which has 22,000 members.  Thanks Tom! 

  Tom’s wife Noreen developed the old OBX Homebrewers business card.  She has volunteered to update the card.  Thanks Noreen!

  We discussed approaching businesses to post our flyer for membership recruiting.  Two recent members heard of the club through the single flyer posted at OBX Winery.  Need a volunteer to generate a list of businesses and sign up club members to contact them for posting our flyer. 

  It was suggested we could conduct a “how to homebrew” class at the College of Albemarle.  No club member had a contact with the school to pursue this.  Geof has contacted the Continuing Education Department at CoA and is waiting on a call back.

  More discussion needed on hosting a guest tasting meeting.

 

Equipment Sales

Darrell has some brewing equipment he wants to donate.  We need to add this to a future meeting to discuss and plan.

 

Competitions

The group agreed to having two competitions, one in spring or early summer and one in the fall.  The two styles for the spring competition are 1C – American Cream Ale and 25B – Saison.  

The competition will be held at the April meeting. 

The date and style for the fall competition needs to be determined.

 

Monthly meeting agendas

Outside of the two monthly meetings that will have competitions, the agenda for other meetings will include mystery beers, tech topic reviews, and sharing of whatever homebrews folks have, club calendar updates, and open business.  All are asked to volunteer for one tech topic.  A list of possible topics will be sent out and all will be asked to sign up for one of them or come up with your own topic. 

February meeting update – no discussion, ran out of time.

 

Brewery Tours

Two possible tours:

-  a return to Chesapeake/Norfolk/Va Beach area breweries; we could maybe combine brewery tours with a visit to the homebrew supplier in Norfolk (more info below)

 

-  a trip to Rocky Mount Mills https://www.rockymountmills.com/   We received an invite from the Exec Dir of the Mills including a tour of the breweries.

 

**February update

  A possible date for the Norfolk brewery tour is May or June.  TBD.

 

Discount at Wine and Cake Hobbies in Norfolk

Club members will receive a 10% discount.  The code is OBXHBBRCLUB. Enter this code in the coupon box during checkout to receive a 10% discount on home beverage making products, excluding shipping costs.

Additionally, if any member of your club is physically present in our shop, please inform the cashier that they are with your club to receive the same discount on their purchase.

(Christine Hall)

Wine & Cake Hobbies, Inc.

6527 Tidewater Drive – Norfolk, VA

wineandcake.com  |  Ph. 757.857.0245

 

March Meeting

We decided to plan a social gathering at a brewery or restaurant in lieu of a March meeting.  Watch for email on details.

 

Club picnic

Geof offered to host a picnic social for members, spouses, kids, and friends.   Can include yard games – corn hole, bocce, Frisbee golf, kayaking, crabbing, etc.  Best to have it before it gets too hot – May or June.   

 

Club funds  (~$1100)

What can the club funds be used for ? 

-  website – Tom working on a proposal

-  sampling glasses – Sean working on a proposal

 

Meeting Tech Topics

Topic reviews can consist of a verbal review, a handout, an equipment demonstration, or any combination of those.

 

*  fermenting things that aren’t beer - Sean

*  yeast – dry verses liquid, when to use starters, when to oxygenate  - Tom

*  online apps/calculators/forums  -  Geof

*  serving pressure for kegs  -  Rob Pokelwadt

*  steeping grains verses semi-mash and other tips for extract brewing  - Ken

*  mash temperature and sparge drain rate for efficiency  -  Trey

*  the four ingredients of beer  -  Tom

*  bottling from keg with Tapcooler and other methods – Rob T.

*  pressure fermenting with 15 gal keg – Darrell

*  wine making – George

*  Judging and BJCP  - Bill

*  other

 

2025 schedule

 

January – chili dinner and planning for the year

 

February – annual oyster roast, AHA Executor Director presentation, continued planning for the year.

 

March – social gathering at a brewery or restaurant

 

April – club competition – cream ale and saison

 

May – Norfolk brewery tour or club picnic

 

June – Norfolk brewery tour or club picnic

 

July

August

September

October – Oktoberfest dinner

November – club competition; style TBD

December – annual oyster roast