Volume 9 Issue 3
By Owen Strand
As we arrived at Billy's, we discovered that they had inadvertently allowed another group use of the downstairs room. A group was also booked into the Jury Room upstairs. We were given the large round table in the corner near the jury room and arranged others as more members kept coming. I didn't do an actual count, but it was another of those great turnouts. Billy's also provided several orders of wings to compensate for the inconvenience. Everything turned out just fine. Again we were very well treated by the staff of Billy's.
Many brewers brought many samples with a great variety; everything from standard home-brew and commercial styles to the exotic and elaborate.
Mike Frantz was among the first of us to arrive and brought a Belgian lager he'd picked up on sale. A very light color with a taste similar to Heineken and a hoppy finish. Also in 27 ounce cans which we thought was a bit unusual.
Terry Lehn was next with an ale he'd made some time ago, but didn't remember exactly when. He didn't know the ingredients either, but it was a nice clear copper color and roasty malt nose and taste. (Someone suggested it be named AlzheimerAle - a new taste every time)
Greg opened his 2001 Wheat with oak chips. Great taste and a quite dark color which wasn't easily explained considering the ingredients and process. Still fine, though.
At this time Bob Potter announced he'd entered the Kansas City Beermeister's contest and we all wished him good luck.
Anheuser World Select Lager Beer about $8.50 per six pack. That's was Tim Curran's contribution. Another one the group likened to Heineken in color and taste and carbonation as well as the borderline skunkiness.
Bob Paulson - Blue Mountain Lager, bright light tawny color. He had the recipe along for those who wanted to try it. By the way, he also contributed brought in the gift certificate for Semplex for a door prize. I forgot who won it, but I do remember that Everet won the other door prize of a bottle drying tree.
Peter Kovak - Chocolate Stout. It had a deep malty nose, a strong chocolate taste, and was somewhat tart on the back of the palate.
Greg again - Raspberry Stout brewed in 1995 from the Papazian book. Distinct berry nose and taste. 13.2 pounds of extract for a 7 gallon batch.
Owen brought his blueberry wheat/ice beer. The name derives from having put it in the garage to clear and it froze. Still somewhat cloudy,but used the excuse that a wheat often is. Drinkable but the fruit wouldn't be identifiable without being told about it.
Brent's sample was American Dream Ale, a Brew and Grow kit. Lots of hops, lots of positive comments
Everett's choice was St. Pauli Girl - clear, mellow, with the expected mild hops
Bob again - White River Raspberry Melomel from that small brewery/winery in Iron River Wisconsin. Slightly sweet with distinct fruit flavor. Luscious was the agreed upon term.
Tim once more. This time with Powderhound Winter Ale, a seasonal from the folks in Montana who bring us Moose Drool. What a winter beer should be with a spicey hop finish.
Bill and Tammy were about to uncork their Hakuson Plum Saki from Napa Valley when they discovered it had a screw cap rather than a cork, but the contents were just fine. Obvious plum aroma and taste with some sweetness and a light salmon color.
Then Richard presented us with his two-year-old white Zin from a kit. Nice work. Mild and mellow, clean and soft.
Owen's second try was a 2002 strawberry wine that had been made together with Richard. Most of the people found it too dry although one or two copied the recipe, so there was some appreciation.
The treat of the night was the Sam Adams Chocolate Bock that Bob and Jim offered. Around $17 or $18 a 27 ounce bottle. A really subtle blending of flavors from hops to malt to chocolate. I thought it reminded me of good hot chocolate allowed to cool off.
