NOTE: If you have a keg that you need converted to a brewing pot, Tyler Barber has a friend that can do the job. Mark works at Cargill's Portable Welding in Taylor (just a few short miles from Sisko's), located at 8970 Mortonview. He can do any kind of brazing, welding, or plasma cutting that you need. He can do this at your home, but you will get a better deal if you bring it to him. He does this professionally, so he knows what he's doing... in fact, he's cut kegs before too. So, if you have any welding needs, give Mark a call (313-292-3703) and tell him that Tyler sent you!

The next meeting will be held back at Sisko's in Taylor on Wednesday, May 26th. Sisko's is located on Monroe (between Telegraph and Southfield), just south of Vanborn. Their address is 5855 Monroe and their phone number is 313-278-5340. Sisko's also has a website at http://www.siskos.com/. The competition for this month is Wheat Beers. As usual, the thirsty hard-core who want dinner will start arriving around five, people will drift in for an hour or so, and by 6:00ish, we will start our meeting.

Pat Babcock

The April Ford Meeting saw the introduction of a new homebrew supply shop in the Dearborn area Adventures in Homebrewing on the south side Ford Road between Telegraph and Outer Drive. These two gentlemen really want to foster a relationship with the club, and since the "loss" of Merchant's on Michigan Avenue, I see this as an opportunity to cultivate a similar level of cooperation with them. I look forward to arranging home brewing demonstrations at their shop just as we did at Merchant's. They have also left us with some 10% Off "preferred customer" cards. If you didn't get one at the meeting, drop me a note and I'll see to it you get one. For those wishing to stop by and take a look, their address is 23305 Ford Road and their phone number is 313-277-BREW (fax: 313-277-2728).

We also had a chance to look at the mini data logger Rich Hampo spoke of in last month's newsletter. Pretty slick little unit and only the size of a car alarm remote! The connectivity (any serial port with terminal capability) and durability of this unit are worth noting, too. If you need to log the temperatures in your brewery, this might just be the ticket! See http://www.extend.org for more info.

And summer is upon us bringing thoughts of the brew-b-que. For a change of pace this year, we have reserved Taylor's Heritage Park for a mid-September celebration (9/18). This was done for two reasons: (1) short of having the picnic at someone's house, venues were going, going, gone! for August and (2) we thought that maybe it would serve as a nice September break –everyone back to work and s school and all. Hopefully, God willing, the weather will still be fine by then, and we will have our first Septoberfest. If not, we'll transfer the brew-b-que funds to provide an indoor party, perhaps a Christmas party.

Due to conflicting commitments, I had to miss the Big Brew '99 celebration on National Homebrew Day, but I am told it was quite a spectacle! For those who don't know, our perennial Sierra Nevada cloner (Crispy) once again opened his home, garage and barbecue facilities for a MASSIVE brew session. My special thanks to those who assisted in blowing the cobwebs off of my Pico system. It was looking pretty decrepit through disuse these past few years. Even it's gonging sound seemed happier upon its return (though Kim still throws it off the bed every night). I look forward to seeing the fruits of your labors start popping up at meetings later this year, too! Yum!

And the outing to Copper Canyon proved to be the bright point of an otherwise drab Saturday. The food was excellent (Howard tells us the Bowtie Pasta was quite good, too), the beer palatable, and the tour entertaining. All in all, for having such a motley crew descend upon them, with a few exceptions, the waitstaff did a good job, too. I'll return there, I'm sure of it.

I think there'll be a few more of us in the outdoor brewing mode this year. Through the help and generosity of Mike O'Brien of Pico Brewing Systems, we were able to perform a group buy of propane burners at much less than it would have cost to buy them retail. Much less. If you need particulars for your system (kettles, pumps, lids, etc.) –please be sure to give Mike a call at 734-482-8565. This was right into his core business and he didn't have to do anything at all for us if he truly didn't want to. – Remember: think globally, buy locally. Mike is located in Ypsilanti.

Had the pleasure of judging at the Over The Mill competition this past Sunday 5/16/1999! Spencer Thomas, Mike O'Brien (both AABG) and his partner Dave (sorry missed the last name) drove up Sunday morning to take part in judging a record competition of around 340 entries! WOW! And out of this HUGE field of brewers, our own Chris Frey and Gabi Palmer took best of show with their Imperial Stout. Nectar! Congratulations are also due to Jim Racine and Kerry Havener for their placing in their particular categories as well! (See Crispy's column for details.) Well done all! I felt like a winner myself being affiliated with you (and, not to mention accepting your awards in your stead). By the time this publishes, Crispy will have picked up your certificates and medals to be distributed at the next FORD meeting.

And, finally, the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival will be held July 24 at Greenmead. Unfortunately, they aren't using volunteer pourers this year (yet). Should they need us, though, I will be sure to pass that info along in enough time for plans to be made.

First of all, I must profusely apologize to all of the entrants for not judging these beers in a timely manner so that the winner could send their entry into the AHA competition. Several family emergencies, the stomach flu, and a severe case of procrastination kept me from my judging duties. Anyway, we had 6 entries for last month's "Bockanalia" Bock Competition and they were all very tasty. And the winners are:

This month's competition will be the Wheat Beers, AHA Categories #19 a (Berliner Weisse), b (Weizen/Weissbier), c (Dunkelweizen) & d (Weizenbock); #6 c (American Wheat); and #2 g (Belgian White/Wit). The judging time and place will be determined later.

We had several winners at this years Over The Mill Homebrew Competition held at the Rochester Mills Beer Co. Out of over 340 entries, Jim Racine won first place with his Barley Wine entry; Kerry Havener won 1st for his English Special Bitter, I won 3rd for my American Pale Ale and the Best of Show was won by Gabi Palmer and myself for our Imperial Stout. Unfortunately, we had to be present to win the draft system and neither of us were there, but we still won the trophy and I understand that the second place winner really needed the draft system, so I am glad it went to a needy brewer.

Sue Merritt

The Ladies of Pub Crawl #2!		Crispy's famous last words: "What does that sharp blade thingy do?"

May 1st brought Big Brew, and two dozen brewers joined to celebrate this most cherished tradition at Crispy's Big Brew celebration Site #17. The weather cooperated for once and a perfect 70° day graced the 6 PICO's, one Gott cooler, one zap-tap system and an extract brew as well. Over 200 lbs. of grains were milled, pounds of hops boiled and quarts of yeast (courtesy of Motor City Brewing Works and Brew & Grow) were pitched. 119 gallons of SNPA clone and 12 gallons of Helles were brewed that day.

People brewing included: Rick Carr, Sonny Stanley, David Cords, Tom Sutphan, Tony Schaffer, Ron Broadwell, Tony Truesch, Pall Hellebuyek, Mike Arend, his sister and friend (didn't write their names), Bob Scholl, Tony Tantillo, Jerry Garner, Jim Racine, Marc Hansen, Tom and Mike Ciesla, Tyler Barber, Jim Rice, Gary Schewchuk, Doug Geiss, Rene Derieux, Aaron Dionne and yours truly all brewed. I couldn't stand not brewing myself, so I struck up a batch early in the morning and was half way through before anyone arrived.

After the yeast was all pitched a crew of 60 plus people then feasted on Jamaican Jerked chicken and ribs, and there were a ton of fun side dishes, 10 kegs of homebrew and other goodies to be enjoyed. All in all, a terrific way to celebrate Homebrew Day! See ya all next year…!

On Friday, May 21st, I will have two brews that utilized 6 different yeast strains. If you would like to see for yourself how different yeasts affect the taste profile of the beer, come by Brew & Grow between 5:30PM and 7:00PM for a sample and check 'em out!

The second annual Michigan Brewers Festival will take place Saturday July 24, 1999. For the second year in a row, the Michigan Brewers Guild, a non-profit member organization, has teamed up with the City of Livonia and Greenmead Historical Park to produce an outdoor festival that will promote the excellence of the Michigan brewing industry with approxamately 100 different craft brewed beers.

"Having an outdoor festival to celebrate old world craft brewed beer on a 92 acre turn of the century farm is a perfect fit," said Rex Halfpenny, Michigan Brewers Guild Executive Director. The Guild exists to promote Michigan's excellent beer products and provide on-going consumer education. This festival is the very best means of accomplishing both of these objectives while providing the Guild with it's primary fund-raiser. The City of Livonia has been very cooperative and encouraging, so we are delighted to not only team up with them again this year, but we have already booked our third annual event for July 22, 2000.

As last year, the festival will feature Michigan-made Guild member beers -- all on draft. The price of admission includes a punch card good for 40 tastings and a logo tasting cup. Special limited edition glassware and T-shirts will be available for sale at very favorable prices. There will be wide variety of excellent foods available from Guild member brewpubs for a reasonable charge.

New to the festival this year, the Guild has decided to add music. "We will have live entertainment on stage," said festival organizer John Linardos of Motor City Brewing Works. "The music will be approachable in general appeal because we do not want to detract from the main purpose of the festival, which is a beer tasting."

To encourage safe driving, designated drivers will be admitted free. Groups that wish to charter a bus of 30 or more will be admitted early to a special VIP Hour with the brewers, one hour before the gates open to the public.

Tickets go on sale by mid June. Advance tickets are only $18.00 and are limited to 2000. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door for $22.00. Tickets will be available at participating Guild member locations. Tickets by mail will be available through Michigan Beer Guide for the cost of the tickets plus $3.20 for priority mail. For more information, call the Michigan Beer Guide at 248-628-6584 or e-mail MIBeerguyd@aol.com.

With summer trying to sneak it's way around the corner, here is a list of summer beers should will be available at your favorite beer store. Keep an eye out for them...

• A summer release from importer B. United International is from Belgium's D'Achouffe brewery. Biere du Soleil is an amber colored, fruity, bottled-conditioned ale (unfiltered and unpasteurized) brewed with malted barley and Czech Saaz and Slovenian Styrian hops (750-ml bottles).

• Saaz hops impart pilsner-like, thirst-quenching qualities to Redhook's summer release, Blonde Ale. This straw-gold mild ale is brewed with 2-row Klages, caramel 10 Munich, carapils, cara vienne and wheat malts. Available in 12-ounce bottles and on draft through September.

• Catamount's summer release, American Wheat, complements the long lazy days of summer with a crisp, refreshing body and subtle tart finish. Brewed with pale and wheat malts and hopped with Hallertau hops. Available in 12-ounce bottles and on draft through August.

• Sirius Summer Wheat is the summer release from the Shipyard Brewery. Golden in color, Sirius is brewed with pale, Munich and wheat malts and hopped with Hallertau hops. Available in 12-ounce bottles and on draft through August.

• American Wheat and Raspberry Wheat are summer releases from the New England Brewing Co. American Wheat is a light-bodied, mildly malty beer with a crisp dry flavor, brewed with pale and wheat malts and hopped with Cascade, Northern Brewer and Czech Saaz hops. Raspberry Wheat is produced by adding fresh raspberry puree after the primary fermentation of American Wheat and then letting the beer undergo a secondary fermentation and age for four weeks. Both beers are available in 12-ounce bottles and on draft through July.

• Pete's Summer Brew, light golden in color with a hint of lemon in the aroma, is out for the summer. The pale ale is brewed with pale and wheat malts, flavored with natural lemon and hopped with Tettnang hops. Available in 12-ounce bottles and on draft through September.

• Otter Creek's summer release is Summer Wheat Ale, a light-bodied beer brewed with malted wheat and barley to produce a slightly tart flavor with a citrus finish. Available through September in 12-ounce bottles and on draft.

• Widmer Brothers' summer release is the appropriately named Sommerbrau, a Kolsch-style ale brewed with two-row barley malt, malted wheat and Spalter hops. Light bodied and golden in color, Sommerbrau is available through mid-August in 12-ounce bottles and on draft.

• Samuel Adams Summer Ale, "a tangy, crisp alternative to mass-produced 'lawn mower' beers" has been released by Boston Beer Co. The beer is brewed with wheat malt, lemon zest, Grains of Paradise (once believed to be an aphrodisiac) and the Noble hops, Spalt, Hallertau and Saaz Saazer. The yeast's fermentation produces background notes of mangos and peaches. Available in 12-ounce bottles and on draft through August.

LACROSSE, Wis., Posted 3:45 a.m. April 16, 1999 -- Just three days after Stroh's announced it was closing a 140-year-old brewery in LaCrosse, Wis., city leaders are floating a plan to have the community buy the building and get the vats cranking out beer again.

That's right: A community-owned brewery. Only in Wisconsin...

The local Rotary Foundation has tossed the notion out for consumption. "It is not that radical," Rotarian Dave Trapp said of the idea, which would involve selling stock in a community-owned corporation in what is being described as tapping into a "Green Bay Packers-style" approach to the predicament.

A local resident owns the rights to the "Peerless" water and beer label -- dormant since 1955 -- and said he will relinquish it for such a venture, reports The Associated Press.

The group is touting the potential purchase price of the building of $3 million to $4 million as a bargain-basement deal. The new corporation would begin selling water, and eventually return to brewing beer.

Stroh Brewery Co. of Detroit, which bought the La Crosse plant in 1996, told union officials Tuesday that a tentative timetable calls for closing the La Crosse brewery at the end of July. It has about 500 production workers and 80 salaried employees.

Beer Events, Meetings & Competitions Gabrielle Palmer

• May 26 (W) - FORD Meeting, Wheat Beers Competition, Categories #19 a, b, c & d; #6 c; and #2 g.
• June 22 (T) - FORD Meeting, Label Competition and "It's a Mead, Mead, Mead, Mead World" (AHA) Mead Competition, Categories #25-27.
• July 24 - Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival at historic Greenmead in Livonia. Don't miss this all Michigan, all draft beer tasting festival!
• July 28 (W) - FORD Meeting, Lawnmower Beer Competition, All light-bodied beers will be accepted.
• August 1 - Entries due for the Michigan State Fair Homebrew Competition. Contact Bill Holmes, Competition Director, at 734-761-5315 for more information. Also looking for volunteers (judges, stewards, grunts), contact Chris Frey at 734-944-6618 if you'd like to help.
• August 24 (T) - FORD Meeting, Porter Competition (AHA), Category #9 a & b.
• September 18 - FORD Beer-B-Q at Heritage Park in Taylor.
• September 22 (W) - FORD Meeting, Oktoberfest Competition, Category #17 a & b.
• September 25 - FORD Homebrew Demo at Wine Barrel Plus in Livonia.
• October 26 (T) - FORD Meeting, "Winter Warmer" Competition (AHA), Category #10 a & b.
• November 17 (W) - FORD Meeting, Stout Competition, Category #11 a, b, c, d & e.
• December 14 (T) - FORD Meeting, Spiced Holiday Ale/Barleywine Competition, All Style Categories.

Fermental Funny Mister Boffo by Joe Martin