Last Meeting

Well, last meeting would be a bit difficult for me to describe as I wasn't there, (baby-sitter problems you know!) But Neal was kind enough to take notes and pass them on to me.

Al Czajkowski recently spent some vacation time in Pennsylvania and had an opportunity (and spousal approval!) to tour some microbreweries and brewpubs, although I don't have the notes on which fine establishments he did tour, he was kind enough to give an oral presentation on the breweries. He also bought 2 T-shirts and 2 glasses for the club "prize bank" (p.s. if anyone does any traveling and wants to contribute a t-shirt or glass/mug to the prize bank, you will be reimbursed!)

Chris "crispy" Frey gave a summary on the Octoberfest II at Merchants of Dearborn. He also passed around a thank you letter to be signed by all the members at the meeting. I will post my summary later in the news.

The tasting glasses for the 1995 Stroh's Rivertown Beer Festival finally went out, via UPS I believe, there was a thank you letter enclosed and a note on next years event to be held July 26th, mark your calendars now! If anyone is still missing a glass, please notify me and I will try to get it straightened out, and be honest folks, it's just a small glass! :-) The coordinators estimate we will need at least twice as many volunteers this year as we had last year.

Neal then presented an offer from the Ann Arbor Brewers Guild to join them for a bulk grain purchase, I don't have the list but I believe this includes all DeWolf Cosyns and either Briesse or Schrier grains. The prices on base 2-row pale malt were cheaper than you could get from the retailers. The ONLY drawback is that we would have to buy 50Lb. Bags, so if there's enough interest we could, lets say, buy a big bag of crystal and a big bag of specialty B malt, just a thought. If anyone is interested in selection and prices, please see or contact Neal Petty.

The only negative event at the meeting was the $30 shortage on the bill, come on folks, who do you think pays for this?

Competitions

Last months competition was a dual fruit beer/pumpkin beer contest. There were 6 entries including 3 raspberry, 2 pumpkin and 1 strawberry. Neal's strawberry beer was the first place winner, Mike Munoz made a pumpkin beer which took 2nd and Linda Sieja's Raspberry beer took 3rd (way to go Linda!) (Ted Geftos and Tom Sieja also had entries)

The following passage is a note from Neal Petty.

"This was a difficult contest due to the excellence of so many of the

entries. The first three placed beers required a second taste-off to break

a three-way tie. I am extremely impressed by the quality of the homebrews this club is producing. Although I did not judge the beers for this club contest, I did taste them along with the judges. Having judged the fruit beer category at "the taste of the great lakes" competition, I will claim that

the beers from our club would have faired well against the entered beers.

just in case you think I may have pulled some strings to get my beer to win,

I took both first and last place!

As usual, the winning recipe is absent, sorry!

This months competition is Brown Ales, and is an AHA club only contest.

The Brown Ale category includes:

3a) English Brown - Med. to dk brown. Sweet and malty. Low bitterness. Hop

Flavor and aroma low. Some fruitiness. Med. body. (commercial example:

Newcastle Brown, Samuel Smiths nutbrown)

3b) English Mild - Low alcohol. Med. to very dk brown. Low hop bitterness,

Flavor and aroma. Mild maltiness. Light body. Low fruitiness.

3c) American Brown - Med. to dk brown. High hop bitterness, flavor, and

Aroma. Med. maltiness and body. (commercial example: Pete's Wicked Ale, Brooklyn Brown Ale)

December's competition will be a dual holiday spiced beer and Barleywine competition. The spiced beer will be another "judges choice" award, it's a wide open style. I won' t include the style guidelines here for the Barleywine because if you haven't made on yet, it's way too late!

Corrections!

A) The Oktoberfest correspondent is DAVE peters, not Steve, sorry Dave!

B) In the kegging article, 5/16" hose was recommended for CO2, this will work, but it will be easier to find fittings for ¼" hose

F.O.R.D. is a private, non-profit organization of home brewers. Its main goal is to share information regarding technique, equipment and skill required to brew quality homemade beer.

F.O.R.D. is an associate member of the American Homebrewers Association. F.O.R.D. encourages letters, opinions, articles for publicat- ion and information from members and friends of the club.

Correspondence should be directed to:

Rich Byrnes,
30972 Cousino
Warren, MI 48092

Voice/Fax 810-558-9844
Rich.Byrnes@E-Mail.com
CompuServe 75113,411

Baron Von Brewmeister

Dear Baron, wow, great article on kegging equipment, will you teach me how to keg after I buy all my stuff?

Yes! After you're ready, maybe next month

OK, we've had some rather in depth articles on beer & the Internet this year, what can you tell me about it?

Dear Netsurfer wannabe..

There is way too much info on beer & the net for me to post everything here, but here's some fun things you can do. If you have an E-mail address, but not full Internet access, send a e-mail message to info@aob.org with the word help in the body of your message, that's all you have to do. You will be given an automated response listing all the documents you can have e-mailed to you, including all the winners from the Great American Beer Festival, all the winners from the AHA Nationals, the style guidelines, info on judging programs, how to brew your first batch, how to teach a class, an index of Zymurgy's from '85 to '94 etc. You can also double check your subscription to Zymurgy via e-mail

If you are web-enabled you can check out the AHA's website at Http://www.aob.org/aob,

or check out Pat Babcock's Home Page on the net at HTTP://oeonline.com/~pbabcock and there is a F.O.R.D. site on his page, as well as links to MANY other interesting beer sites around the world. Many breweries and micro's have web sites now, there's even a website for Bad Frog Beer (http://www.thewild.com/badfrog/). If there's an interest I will devote a section of the news to new websites each month, could be very interesting!

Member News

Congrats to Scott & Erin William's who had their first baby on October 19. Brandon was 7 lb. 1 oz. and 19.5 inches tall. Mother and baby are doing well (although we're not sure about Scott!)

Does it seem like I'm doing a birth announcement at least every other month, are we a busy group or what?

(If you have any announcements you want posted here, PLEASE let me know!)

In the news

Thanks to Mike Preston for this tidbit!

Wauldron Corporation brings you the all new: BAD FROG BEER Home page

"He's mean, green and obscene"

See the new bad boy in beer that everyone has been talking about.

The brainchild of Rick DiLoreto of Wauldron Corporation in Rose City Michigan, this little froggy is going to "Flip off the world" until they all stand up and take notice of his new brew.

He may be "Naked, Nasty and Insensitive," but "He just don't care!"

Starting off their new microbrew, Bad Frog Brewery hopes to start a new craze with the phrase:
"Flip the Bird... ...Get a Frog!"
...a kick off promotion in which Rick DiLoreto says, "If anyone wants to order a Bad Frog, all they have to do is flip off their bartender. Everyone will know that that means they want a Bad Frog Beer!" [Detroit Free Press, Thursday, Sep. 28, 1995 Business section]

Bad Frog Beer is an amber ale contract brewed through Frankenmuth Brewery. Available mostly in Michigan at the moment, Wauldron hopes to distribute nationally after Bad Frog premiers at a beer wholesalers convention in Las Vegas.

But don't dispair, the likeness of the our bad little buddy will soon grace many merchandise items coming soon the Bad Frog Home Page. Come and visit us at:http://www.thewild.com/badfrog/). Or drop an e-mail to: badfrog@tre.thewild.com

To contact us directly, or to request a merchandise catalog by mail, please contact:

Bad Frog Brewery Co.
A division of Wauldron Corp.
2644 M-33 North, Box 310
Rose City, Michigan 48654 USA
Phone: (517) 685-2990
FAX: (517) 685-2922

Recipes

From: Steve Linger GB 15/250

Subject: (U)US Brewing Club

Hi Neal, my name is Steve Linger, I work at Dunton GB Research. On thumbing Through the Ford recreational bulletin board looking initially at the Astronomy Section, I noticed your 'Fermental Order of Renaissance Draftsman'. Having browsed through the section I note your references to both Michael Jackson's book and David Vines book. Both worth the effort

Being a member of 'CAMRA' here (Campaign For Real Ale) since 1976 my interest In the 'nectar' is probably just as keen as your groups.

I may be wrong but it appears you lack any reference to Cider. So I send you A recipe to wet your appetite,

Basic 'West Country' Cider

Ingredients:for 5 Imperial Gallons
* 15 LB mixed apples (preferably cider) * 3 teaspoon cinnamon
* 5 oz root ginger
* 6 LB white sugar
* 2 tea spoons cloves * Yeast for 5 Gallons
* 5 Gallons Liquor (Water)

Method:

Wash the apples. Cut out cores, chop, grate or mince. Place Mash in a Sterilized plastic 5 gallon fermenting bucket and add the water (cold). Add The yeast and cover fermenter with a lid or cloth. Leave in a warm room for a Week. Stirring thoroughly daily.

Take another large container and place the sugar, ginger, clove and Cinnamon inside the container. Place cloth filter over and pour liquor from First fermenter through filter into container. Allow mash pulp onto filter, Wrap and squeeze out as much juice as possible. Stir vigorously, cover and Leave for about five days. Disregard original mash from first fermenter.

After the five days strain Liquor into screw top flagons or pressure barrel. Store in a cool place for two weeks before drinking.

Note! Traditional cider does not normally clear but has a 'Haze'. This is OK. (estimated ABV of this brew is about 8.4 %) So take it lightly

Regards - Steve Linger

This is it folks, an authentic English cider recipe, enjoy!

Recipes

This recipe comes via CompuServe's homebrew forum's library. I missed the boat on not having this recipe in time for the Octoberfest competitions, but I think you'll still enjoy them!

Fm: Robin Garr/Sysop/Ky 76702,764

To: Jean Carmichael 71660,1261 (X)

Jean, with the caveat that I haven't tried this one myself, there's a recipe for Brezeln in the "Breads of Germany" chapter of Joe Ortiz's outstanding Village Baker. I'll summarize:

1. Dissolve 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast in 1/4 cup cool water in a cup and let the mixture stand for 2 to 3 hours.

2. Then, proof 1 teaspoon active dry yeast in 1/4 cup warm water until it is creamy.

3. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon corn or vegetable oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in 1/2 cup hot water.

4. When the hot water-honey mix is cool, combine it with both yeast mixtures. Add 2 cups flour (unbleached white or all-purpose) to this liquid mixture, incorporating them with a spoon or plastic dough mixer, mixing vigorously for 3 or 4 minutes. Turn the mixture out onto a work table, using up to 1 additional cup of flour as you knead the mass into a medium-firm dough.

5. Let the dough rise, covered in a warm spot, for 30 minutes. It will almost double in bulk. Punch it down, form it into a ball, coat with a little oil and put it back in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise again in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.

6. When it has risen, take the dough out of the refrigerator and shape it immediately. Divide it into four equal pieces and roll each into a log about 24 inches long. Each log should be about 3/4 inch in diameter, tapering down to 1/4 inch at each end. Bend each strand into a pretzel shape and place on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet.

7. Brush each pretzel with a glaze made by whisking 1 egg yolk into 1 tablespoon milk (for all four). Sprinkle them with rock salt or caraway seeds, and set aside, covered, for a final rising of 30 to 45 minutes.

8. Bake in a preheated 375F oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until they are a deep golden brown.

This is a good, seasonal pretzel, according to Ortiz, who says they're sold in many sizes at the outdoor Christkindles markets in Austria and Germany during the holiday season, as well as being sold in bakeries year- round.

Club Business

F.E.R.A. has rejected our latest club charter based on the percentage of Ford Employees. F.E.R.A. had been maintaining that 90% of the club membership be made of Ford employees and retirees. Last week they opened up the policy by allowing the 90% to be all Ford A-Plan eligible, and contract employees working on Ford contracts. This action opens up the President's and Treasurer's offices to the A-Plan eligible and contract employees working on Ford contracts. The kicker is that our club size will not be limited, but once 10% of the members don't meet the above requirement, then all new applicant's that are not A-Plan eligible or are not working on Ford contracts will be "Non-Charter" members. Non-Charter members will not be able to vote on club items, but can run for Secretary, VP, Librarian offices.

It is extremely difficult to communicate all of the changes required by F.E.R.A. in a simplified format. Below you will find portions of the latest charter, then the italicized section is the meat of the changes required to comply with F.E.R.A.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE LATEST ARTICLES FROM THE CONSTITUTION BASED ON THE 70% FORD EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENT.

Art. 2, Section 2: CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB may be "Regular", "Associate", or "Household."

Art. 2, Section 2.1: REGULAR MEMBERSHIP

All adult, full-time employees and retirees of Ford Motor Co. are eligible for "Regular" membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB.

Art. 2, Section 2.2: ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Any adult, subject to Article 2, Section 1, who does not qualify as a "Regular" member, by virtue of their employment situation, is eligible for "Associate" membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB; this includes non-Ford people, "agency" people working at Ford, vendors or suppliers, and people with no official relationship with Ford Motor Company. All the privileges and responsibilities of Regular membership will accrue to Associate members with the exception of eligibility for the office of President or Treasurer of the FERMENTAL ORDER OF RENAISSANCE DRAUGHTSMEN, in accordance with Article 3, Section 1.1.

Art. 2, Section 2.3: HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIP

The adult immediate family members (spouse, children) living in the same household) of a Regular or Associate member ,or Two adults residing at the same address, are eligible for a "Household" membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB. All the privileges and responsibilities of Regular membership will accrue to Household members with the exception of eligibility for the office of President or Treasurer of the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB if the person is not a current full-time employee of Ford Motor Co. Dues shall be set by the Executive Board at a rate less than the combined dues for regular/associate members.

Art. 2, Section 4: PERCENTAGE OF NON FORD EMPLOYEES

A minimum of 70% of the total membership of the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB shall be Regular members. The Executive Board is prohibited from approving Associate memberships that would violate this provision.

Art. 3, Section 1.1: PRESIDENT and TREASURER

The office of president and the office of treasurer shall be limited to current full time Ford Motor Company employees (Regular members), as required for Ford Employee Recreation Association affiliation.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE LATEST PROPOSAL PUT FORTH IN ORDER TO BECOME PART OF THE F.E.R.A. ORGANIZATION. SEVERAL OTHER CHANGES WOULD BE REQUIRED THROUGHOUT THE CHARTER IN ORDER TO FOLLOW THROUGH PROPER WORDING. WE WILL STILL HAVE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIPS, BUT THERE IS NO REAL NEED TO DEFINE THEM WITHIN THE CHARTER.

*Art. 2, Section 2: CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB may be "Regular Ford", "Associate", or "Non-Charter".

*Art. 2, Section 2.1: REGULAR MEMBERSHIP

Adult, Ford A-Plan eligible, and contractual employees working on Ford Motor Company contracts are eligible for "Regular" membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB. A-Plan eligibility (November 1, 1990) includes mother, father, children, spouses of children, and siblings of Ford Motor Company employees, retirees, and surviving spouses. Siblings are defined as: brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, step brothers, step sisters, half brothers, and half sisters. Regular members may hold any office within the club, and have full voting rights.

*Art. 2, Section 2.2: ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Adults, subject to Article 2, Section 1, who do not qualify as a "Regular" member, by virtue of their employment situation, or A-Plan eligibility may be eligible for "Associate" membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB. All the privileges and responsibilities of Regular membership will accrue to Associate members with the exception of eligibility for the office of President or Treasurer of the FERMENTAL ORDER OF RENAISSANCE DRAUGHTSMEN, in accordance with Article 3, Section 1.1. The percentage of "Associate" memberships will be in accordance to Article 2, Section 4. Once an "Associate" member obtains this rank, the membership will not be downgraded to a "Non-Charter" status.

*Art. 2, Section 2.3: NON-CHARTER MEMBERSHIP

Adults, subject to Article 2, Section 1, who do not qualify as a "Regular" member, by virtue of their employment situation, or A-Plan eligibility may be eligible for "Non-Charter" membership in the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB. The privileges and responsibilities of "Associate" members will accrue to "Non-Charter" members with the exception to voting rights. "Non-Charter" members will not be able to cast a ballot on club elections. The percentage of "Non-Charter" memberships will not be limited. A "Non-Charter member may be upgraded to "Associate" member based on percentage of "Regular" members shown in Article 2, Section 4. Upgrade to "Associate" would be based on seniority.

*Art. 2, Section 4: PERCENTAGE OF NON FORD EMPLOYEES

A minimum of 90% of the "Charter" memberships of the F.O.R.D. HOMEBREW CLUB shall be Regular members. "Charter" membership is defined as "Associate" and "Regular" memberships. Once 10% of the "Charter" memberships are filled with "Associate" members, all further applicants joining the club that are not eligible for "Regular" membership, will be required to join as "Non-Charter" members. Once a member has become an "Associate" member, the rank will not be downgraded to "Non-Charter" regardless of fluctuations of "Regular" membership.

*Art. 3, Section 1.1: PRESIDENT and TREASURER

The office of president and the office of treasurer shall be limited to "Regular members" as required for Ford Employee Recreation Association affiliation. "Regular" members are defined in Article2, Section 2.1.

Novembers Meeting

The next meeting of the Fermental Order of Renaissance Draughtsmen will take place on Wednesday, November 15, 1995. The meeting will be held at "The Royal Oak Brewery" 215 E. Fourth St. In Royal Oak (of course).

We will convene at 6:00 and carry-on until...whenever. The management did place the stipulation of one homebrewed beer carried in per person. (hand that second bottle to an empty handed friend if necessary)

Directions: from 696 take the Woodward/Main Street exit. Take Main Street North. Turn right on Fourth Street. The Royal Oak Brewery is down about one block on the left. It is right next to the Comedy Castle.

You can call them at (810) 544-1141 if you require better directions or more information.

Cheers!

Neal E. Petty

This will be a social meeting, the only club business will of course be the announcement of the election results and the Brown Ale competition. We will have sample T-shirts for people to check sizes on before we place our order (Thanks to Dave Dahl for picking those up!)

Your Name_________________________

For the office of president please pick one of the following candidates

____ Babcock, Pat

____ Petty, Neal

For the office of Librarian please pick one of the following candidates

____ Frey, Chris

____ Geiss, Doug

Sandy Bruce runs un-opposed for treasurer, Tim Tepatti runs un-opposed for the office of Vice President and Rich Byrnes runs un-opposed for the office of Secretary

Election ballots may be profs'ed to Doug LeCureaux at DLECUREA, e-mailed to USFMCCXF@IBMMAIL.COM or mailed to his house at 3702 Michael, Warren MI, 48091, or inter-co at MD33, POEE.

Phone 38385 or 810-757-6329

All ballots must be in by close of business on Nov. 15th. To be counted.

Good luck to all candidates!

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Last updated 10/17/96