It’s Time to Do the Dues!

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It’s March and that means it’s time for our annual Pacific Gravity membership dues collection.  All club members need to pay their dues to keep their membership active until March 2024.  Annual dues are $42 for individuals or $63 for couples and are prorated for members who joined the club within the last year.

Keep in mind that your dues are the primary way we fund such club activities as club parties, monthly meetings, club brews and much more.  Your paid membership also ensures that you’ll continue to receive the many club benefits available, access to various brewing activities, discounts and information.

There are several ways you can renew your annual dues.  Club Treasurer, Craig Corley will be collecting dues at the upcoming March club meeting and other upcoming club events.  You can go old school and send Pacific Gravity a check to PO Box 2451, Culver City CA 90231. And for the ultimate in convenience, you can renew your dues online via the PayPal links below:

Individual Membership – Full 1-year Renewal

Couples Membership – Full 1-year Renewal

Prorated Membership – Partial year Renewal

As an incentive to pay your dues early, we’ve got a past year’s Pacific Brewers Cup or LA Belgian Brew Challenge tee shirt for those who pay their dues before or at the March meeting.  This is limited to the stock we have on hand and you will have to pick up your tee shirt at the March club meeting.

Along with your dues renewal, we need all members to complete a Membership Application/Liability Waiver. And in the case of couples memberships, we need this for both members.  You can fill out and submit your Membership Application/Liability Waiver at the following link: https://forms.gle/f2xCjNBAp5qoJjFK8

All current club members should have gotten a renewal notice via email detailing their dues renewal amount and member information on file. This is a good opportunity to update our membership records, so please let Craig know of any changes to your member information (address, email, phone, etc) or include changes with your check/renewal form.

For any individual members who might be interested, the couples membership provides full membership status/benefits to both partners of a couple including membership cards, emails, etc. Note that the couples membership is optional, couples can continue with one partner being an individual member and the other being their guest.  It’s an additional $21 to upgrade your individual membership to a couples membership and you’ll need to include your partner’s name and email along with your payment.

Have questions about your dues or how much you owe? Check with Craig at the March club meeting or by email at [email protected]

Pacific Gravity Club Meeting Thursday, March16th at Tortugo Brewery

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Our meeting this month will take place on March 16th, 2023 at Tortugo Brewing Co, located at 916 W Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90302. 
We will get started about 7:30 PM.March Monthly Meeting; Thursday 3/16/2023 at 7:30 PM

Tortugo Brewing Co.
916 W. Hyde Park Blvd.
Inglewood,  CA  90302
(424) 227-9963

Joyeuse Saint Patrick
The streams are definitely crossing on this meeting!  As our legendary Belgian Brew Challenge will be occurring just over a week later, our official style of the month is all beers Belgian.  Of course, the meeting is being held the day before St Patrick’s day so it would be unconscionable to not acknowledge it with some corned beef and cabbage prepared by our former president and perennial club chef Ian, and myself.  You never know, there might even be a PG leprechaun in attendance.Please bring your homebrews for everyone to enjoy.
The style of the month for March is Belgian Beers, though all styles are welcome.It is gratifying that we have resumed gathering in person, but as always, we encourage and expect everyone will be vigilant about their own health to ensure the groups safety!  Please observe all safety precautions and stay home if you do not feel well.Los Angeles Belgian Brew Challenge
Entry is closed, and bottles have been collected/sorted.  The judging will take place on March 25 – good luck to all!

Smog City Monster Brew
Porter has generously agreed to host the epic Smog City monster brew once again on Saturday April 29 for $30/5G.  If you have never done this, I strongly recommend it.  Basically it is a morning of behind-the-scenes brew-geekery at smog city with Porter and one of his brewers, then taking home 5 gallons of wort to modify and ferment yourself.  We will be discussing this at the meeting and as we get closer, Carl will be providing suggestions on how you might tweak your batch.

We hope to see you all at our meeting!

Parker Waechter, Vice President

Read more →

First Saturday at Bar 326

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Greetings Pacific Gravity!

For our March “First Friday”, we are once again switching it to a FIRST SATURDAY rather than a Friday.  At the suggestion of our illustrious member Scott Burnell, we are headed to Bar 326 in the Farmer’s Market (in the Grove @ 3rd & Fairfax).

Bar 326
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

We plan on getting started around 12:00 Noon on Saturday 3/04/2023.

They have 24 taps, and Friday night they have a tap-takeover with Common Space & Three Weavers featuring their collabs, so I assume there will still be quite a bit of that going for our Saturday shenanigans.  You can find the current tap list here.
One minor point in route planning is that it sounds like Wilshire will be closed between San Vicente and Fairfax.

See you there!

Thanks,
Parker Waechter VP Pacific Gravity

PS: It still bears repeating how great it is that we can all get together in person!   Yet, as always, we encourage and expect everyone will be vigilant about their own health to ensure the groups safety!  Please observe all safety precautions and stay home if you do not feel well.

Southern California Homebrewers Association

The Southern California Homebrewers Association will be here before you know it, so reserve your spot today! We still have some tent camping slots available at Camp-PG for $35 per camper for the weekend. Sign up now by contacting Terry Molloy at [email protected].

DON’T FORGET to buy your admission into the festival itself. The longer you wait, the more it costs. You must do this ahead of time – admission can NOT be purchased at the gate.

FAQs: 
FAQ #1: If I pay $35 to stay at Camp-PG, am I automatically admitted into the Fest?
Answer: No!! The Camp-PG only reserves a place for you to camp with your fellow PG members over the weekend. This does not cover festival admission, food or any other expenses.

FAQ #2; How can I purchase admission to the Southern CA Homebrewers Festival?
Answer: EACH attendee must follow these simple steps:
1) Go to the California Homebrewers Association website www.calhomebrewers.org
2) If you are already a registered member of the CHA and have a password, sign in, skip to #3.
a. To Register, select “Register” on the Menu line.
b. Fill in the form on the right hand side of the page.
c. Select the “Register” button
d. Note: each attendee must sign up using a unique email address.
3) Select SHOP from the Menu
a. Select Membership / SCHF from the Drop-down menu
b. Add the $10 Membership fee to your cart.
c. Check out using the PayPal site.
4) After you are redirected to the main page, Select SHOP (again)
a. Select Membership / SCHF from the Drop-down menu (again)
b. Add Southern California Homebrewers Festival Admission to your cart ($50 through 1/31, increases $5 every month)
c. Check out using the PayPal site.
5) Check your email to confirm CHA Membership and Fest Admission.
6) Log off CHA website
7) Prepare for a fantastic weekend of sampling brews from over 35 Homebrewers Clubs from around Southern/Central California and Nevada.

FAQ #3: Will there be food available?
1) Rumor has it that Chef Ian is pondering a menu that will be available for an extra fee.
2) Food trucks will be at the Festival on Saturday, you are on your own Friday and Sunday (pending Ian’s final menu).
3) You can set up your own camp-kitchen and cook your own meals.

Do the Dues!

March is Dues Month!

You should have received a dues renewal notice from Craig in the last day or so.

There are several ways you can renew your annual dues. Club Treasurer, Craig Corley will be collecting dues at the March club meeting and other upcoming club events. You can mail us a check with a copy of this e-mail. Checks should be made out to Pacific Gravity and mailed to Pacific Gravity, P.O. Box 2451, Culver City, CA 90231. And for the ultimate in convenience, you can renew your dues online via PayPal using the personalized link that Craig posted in his dues email. For those of you who pay your dues before or at the March club meeting, we’ll have a tee shirt for you at the March meeting (limited to stock on hand) and should you choose to wait, a $5 late fee will be added after the May club meeting.

Enter Los Angeles Belgian Brew Challenge Now!

The entry window for the is open and will close on March 10th!  Register your beer entries at http://comp.belgianbrewchallenge.com/  We are also looking for more judges, stewards and assisting volunteers at the same link.  If you sign up as a volunteer in the next few days, please note your tee shirt size.  We will be going to print in the next few days!

Upcoming Events

  • February 25:  Entry Drop-off began for LABBC
  • March 4:  First Saturday Bar 326
  • March 10:  Entry Drop-off Deadline for LABBC
  • March 11:  Bottle Organizing Session for LABBC at Tortugo
  • March 16: Club Meeting at Tortugo Brewing Company  Styles includes all Belgian Beers
  • March 25:  Main Judging Session for LABBC at Tortugo
  • April 7 or 8:  First Friday or Saturday TBD
  • April 20: Club Meeting at Tortugo Brewing Company  Styles includes all German Beers

Pacific Gravity Club Meeting Thursday, February 16th at Tortugo Brewery

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Greetings Pacific Gravity!

Our meeting this month will take place on February 16th, 2023 at Tortugo Brewing Co, located at 916 W Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90302.
We will get started about 7:30 PM.

February Monthly Meeting; Thursday 2/16/2023 at 7:30 PM

Tortugo Brewing Co.
916 W. Hyde Park Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90302
(424) 227-9963

Oi! English Beers!
Join us for the January club meeting to kick the year off right. We will discuss upcoming events, fundraisers, brewing competitions and more!

Please bring your homebrews for everyone to enjoy.
The style of the month for February is English Beers, though all styles are welcome.

TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF SWAG!
We should have some Pacific Gravity branded items available for sale:

  • Taster Glasses $5
  • Lanyards (hold badge and have a ring for taster glasses) $5
  • We also have a couple of items if anyone is interested:
    Rice cooker (gargantuan size)
    Turkey Fryer

It is gratifying that we have resumed gathering in person, but as always, we encourage and expect everyone will be vigilant about their own health to ensure the groups safety! Please observe all safety precautions and stay home if you do not feel well.

We hope to see you all at our meeting!

Pacific Gravity Polo Shirts

The shirts are in! For all those who ordered Pacific Gravity polo shirts and have not picked them up, they will be available for pick up at the February meeting at Tortugo.

Competition Corner February 2023

Competition season is upon us, giving us several opportunities on top of each other.

First up, if you requested entries to the AHA National Homebrew Competition, you have up until February 12 to finalize your entry list. The physical entries will be due later in March. You can update your entries at https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/

The entry window for America’s Finest City Competition is now open. Entries are due by February 17th at Alesmith Brewery in San Diego. Alas, we do not have a driver this year, so you are on your own to ship them. Online registration is at https://quaff.org/AFC-2023/

Next up is our very own Los Angeles Belgian Brew Challenge. This competition focuses on the Belgian styles as defined in the 2015 BJCP guidelines. Here are the key dates:

Entry registration is open now until March 10th at http://comp.belgianbrewchallenge.com/.
Entry drop-off runs from February 25th through March 10th. Entries can be dropped off at Tortugo Brewing Company or the local homebrew shops.
Bottle Organizing will be held at Tortugo on Saturday, March 11th. Volunteers needed!
Sign-up for judging and stewards is open until March 22nd.
Main judging will be at Tortugo on March 25th. as a Pro-Am entry in the Great American Beer Festival.

All of the above are part of the 2023 Pacific Gravity Brewer of the Year Award.

Carl Townsend
Competition Coordinator

Upcoming Styles of the Month

February – English Beers
March – Belgian Beers
April – German Beers
May – Specialty Beers
June – Pale Beers
July – Summer Party
August – Wheat Beers
September – Festbiers and Amber lagers
October – IPAs
November – Amber and Brown Beers
December – Holiday Party

Stuffed Sandwich FIRST SATURDAY!

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Greetings Pacific Gravity!

For our February First Friday, we are switching it up to FIRST SATURDAY!

Please join us at the Stuffed Sandwich, Saturday February 4th at 12:00 NOON in San Gabriel.

1145 East Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776 (626) 285-9161

Marlene has agreed to set up a blind tasting. Price according to # of participants but about $10. If you know Marlene; then you know you want in on this!  The theme for February for the taps is Barley Wines so we strongly recommend carpooling with a designated driver or public transport!!! Stuffed Sandwich is part of our local beer history as it specialized in craft beer before it was even called craft beer.  There is seating in the outside patio… but dress for the weather!

This is a ‘drive yourself’ event so try and arrange car pools if you can!

It is gratifying that we have resumed gathering in person, but as always we encourage and expect everyone will be vigilant about their own health to ensure the groups safety! Please observe all safety precautions and stay home if you do not feel well.

Hope to see you all there!

Looking for a home for some growlers

A note from Adam of the closed Harajuku:
“I have pretty much wrapped up everything with the Taproom. One of the last things I’m trying to find a home for is about 270 remaining growler bottles and a case of caps to go with them. Would the Pacific Gravity group be interested in them, or do you know of any smaller breweries that might want them? I’m not looking to sell them. Ideally, I could trade them all for a few beers. The growlers have both a 32 oz. and 1 liter fill line. Here’s a cut sheet below with specs.”

Upcoming Events

February 1: Entry Registration begins for Los Angeles Belgian Brew Challenge (LABBC)
February 4th: First Saturday, Noon: Stuffed Sandwich
February 16: Club Meeting at Tortugo Brewing Company Styles include all English Beers
February 25: Entry Drop-off begins for LABBC
March 10: Entry Drop-off Deadline for LABBC
March 11: Bottle Organizing Session at Tortugo
March 25: Main Judging Session for LABBC at Tortugo

Styles of the Month

  • February – English Beers
  • March – Belgian Beers
  • April – German Beers
  • May – Specialty Beers
  • June – Pale Beers
  • July – Summer Party, all styles
  • August – Wheat Beers
  • September – Festbiers and Amber lagers
  • October – IPAs
  • November – Amber and Brown Beers
  • December – Holiday Party, all styles

 

Pacific Gravity Club Meeting Thursday, January 19th at Tortugo Brewery

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Greetings Pacific Gravity!
Our first club meeting of the year is on January 19th, 2022 at Tortugo Brewing Co, located at 916 W Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90302.
We will get started about 7:30 PM.January Monthly Meeting; Thursday 1/19/2023 at 7:30 PM.Tortugo Brewing Co.

916 W. Hyde Park Blvd.
Inglewood,  CA  90302
(424) 227-9963

New Year New Beer!

Join us for the January club meeting to kick the year off right. We will discuss upcoming events, fundraisers, brewing competitions and more!

The style of the month for January is winter beers, though all styles are welcome.
It is gratifying that we have resumed gathering in person, but as always we encourage and expect everyone will be vigilant about their own health to ensure the groups safety!  Please observe all safety precautions and stay home if you do not feel well.

We hope to see you all at our meeting!

 

Pacific Gravity Polo Shirts

The shirts are in! For all those who ordered Pacific Gravity polo shirts, they will be available for pick up at the January meeting at Tortugo.

Upcoming Styles of the Month

  • January 2023 – Winter Beers
  • February – English Beers
  • March – Belgian Beers
  • April – German Beers
  • May – Specialty Beers
  • June – Pale Beers
  • July – Summer Party
  • August – Wheat Beers
  • September – Festbiers and Amber lagers
  • October – IPAs
  • November – Amber and Brown Beers
  • December – Holiday Party

Upcoming Events

  • January 19th 7:30 PM. January Club Meeting at Tortugo Brewing Company. Style of the month is Winter Beers.
  • February 1:  Entry Registration begins for LABBC
  • February 3 or 4th:  First Friday or Saturday TBD
  • February 16:  Club Meeting at Tortugo Brewing Company
  • February 25:  Entry Drop-off begins for LABBC
  • March 10:  Entry Drop-off Deadline for LABBC
  • March 11:  Bottle Organizing Session at Tortugo
  • March 25:  Main Judging Session for LABBC at Tortugo

Brew now for the Los Angeles Belgian Brew Challenge

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After a long gap triggered by the COVID pandemic, we have resurrected the Los Angeles Belgian Brew Challenge for 2023.  This competition focuses on the Belgian styles as defined in the 2015 BJCP guidelines. This year, judging will be hosted at our home brewery, Tortugo Brewing Company on March 25.  This will give you time to brew for most of the styles.  The Best in Show entry will be brewed by Tortugo as a Pro-Am entry in the Great American Beer Festival.

Here are some of the key details for 2023:

  • Entry Registration begins on February 1st and runs through March 10th.
  • Two bottles are required for each entry with a $10 entry fee.
  • Bottle drop-off begins February 25th and runs through March 10th. Entries can be dropped off at the brewery, or the local homebrew shops.
  • Volunteers for Judges, Stewards and other assistants can sign up now. Volunteers will get the official competition tee shirt.
  • Bottle Organizing will be held at Tortugo on Saturday, March 11th.
  • Main judging Saturday, March 25th at Tortugo.

For general information about the competition, go to http://belgianbrewchallenge.com/  In addition to the beer styles that can be entered, we will cover some sponsor highlights.

Sign-ups for Judges, Stewards and other assistants can be found at http://comp.belgianbrewchallenge.com/  Entry registration can be found here as well starting February 1st.

So get those brew kettles going now and good luck with your entries!
Carl Townsend
Competition Coordinator

Other Upcoming Events
January 19th 7:30 PM. January Club Meeting at Tortugo Brewing Company. Style of the month is Winter Beers.
February 1:  Entry Registration begins for LABBC
February 3 or 4th:  First Friday or Saturday TBD
February 16:  Club Meeting at Tortugo Brewing Company
February 25:  Entry Drop-off begins for LABBC
March 10:  Entry Drop-off Deadline for LABBC
March 11:  Bottle Organizing Session at Tortugo
March 25:  Main Judging Session for LABBC at Tortugo

First Saturday at Library Alehouse

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Greetings Pacific Gravity!

Happy New Year!

For the first month of the year this January, we will be having a First Saturday instead of the usual First Friday. We are headed to The Library Alehouse in Santa Monica.

The Library Alehouse
2911 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405
https://libraryalehouse.com/

We will congregate on the patio at about 12:00 Noon on Saturday 1/07/2023.

Many thanks to Ian Fraser for facilitating this!

See you there!

It is great that we can all get together in person, but as always we encourage and expect everyone will be vigilant about their own health to ensure the groups safety!  Please observe all safety precautions and stay home if you do not feel well.

Pacific Gravity Holiday Party

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Greetings Pacific Gravity!

We are throwing a holiday party on Saturday 12/10/2022!

But first we need your help!  On Saturday 12/03/22 we will be decking the halls and doing the set up (and drinking beer!) over at Neil’s, so come on down and lend a hand!

Then we will make merry the way we know how!
Holiday party
When:  Saturday, December 10, at 5:00 PM.
Where:  12966 Rubens Ave, Los Angeles, CA. (at Alla Road)

The Holiday party will be a Neil’s Duplex on December 10th at 5:00PM.  Rumor has it that Santa will be making an appearance.  Also, we will announce the Member of the Year Award and the Brewer of the year award, and introducing the new officers for 2023.

You can help!  Because although the club will be providing much of the main dishes this is still a pot luck party and your favorite party dish will sure be appreciated!  The menu should mostly reflect past holiday parties featuring Carbonnades ala Flamande, meat on the BBQ, deep fried turkeys, spiced ham and much more!

So if you have a favorite family holiday recipe and want to share it with the rest of us, this is your chance!  If you have any questions about what to bring you can ask me [email protected].  Suggestions would include any kind of main dish but especially all side dishes, veggie dishes, salads, desserts and appetizers!

Beer
Got beer?  We need all types of beer, meads, cider and sodas for this event.  Pull out your favorite holiday beverage, dust off the bottle or keg and bring it down!  We’ll have the Wave of Beer set up to help dispense your holiday homebrews.  If you plan to bring beer, soda or other seasonally festive beverage, please contact Carl at: [email protected] & let him know what you will bring.  Everyone who signs up in advance will have a festive tap tag.

Equipment:

We need a few more EZ-Ups, heat lamps and fire pits so please donate them if you can.  Bring a chair if you can!

We need lot & lots FIREWOOD!  If you can bring wood please do so.  December evenings can be cold so please help bring some wood so we can all stay warm.
This is an outdoor event…it will be cold!  Please plan accordingly!

We ask that all attendees are vaccinated and can provide proof of same upon request.

See you there!
Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Ian Fraser
President

Pacific Gravity Club Meeting, Chili Cook-off and Elections

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Greetings Pacific Gravity!

Our November meeting is packed with activities and events!

The Molloys were generous enough to host us (again) for the meeting and the chili cook-off. Remember, it’s a private residence so carry-in & carry-out and be on your best behavior!

Event:  November Club Meetings; Elections and Chili Cook-Off!
Where:  Casa Malloy:  6738 W. 87th Place, Westchester, CA 90045  (Please note, it is PLACE, not Street!)
Date: Saturday November 19th
Time:  12:00 Noon until 7:00 PM

We will be conducting our annual chili cook off and all members are invited to bring a crock pot of homemade chili to enter.  Fabulous prizes (well, bragging rights and a beer) will be given for the chili voted as “best” and “most unique”.

Our “style of the month” is dark beers, so come share your stouts, browns, quads and that blonde where the SRM calculator failed you (and of really ANY home-brew you are willing to share).

We will also be conducting our elections for next year’s Board and Member of the Year!   We will accept nominations right up to the day of the event.

We hope to see you all there!Cheers,
Parker Waechter
Vice President, Pacific Gravity

Upcoming Styles of the Month

  • November – Dark beers
  • December – Holiday Party, all styles

Upcoming Events

  • November 19: (Saturday) noon -November meeting, chili cookoff and election
  • December 10: 5pm – Pacific Gravity Holiday Party!