Pacific Gravity Octoberfest

/in , /by

Greetings Pacific Gravity,
We have chosen to celebrate Octoberfest!

We will actually be holding our celebration on the last official Oktoberfest weekend on October 2nd!

So get out your dirndl’s and lederhosen and chicken dance your way over to Dean’s Backyard Biergarten for our Octoberfest celebration!
Pacific Gravity Octoberfest
Saturday October 2, 2021  2:00 PM
Dean’s Biergarten:
1310 Amalfi Drive, Pacific Palisades CA

We will have beers on tap and festival style foods for your enjoyment!  Master Chef Ian has worked up a special menu serving up all the traditional style of German style fest foods!

The Wave of Beer will make its usual appearance.  If you have a keg to bring, (either beer or soda) please let Carl know and he will make up a festive Bavarian tap tag.

Due to the pandemic we will have to enforce some new protocols for the protection and safety of all.

  • We ask that all attendees are vaccinated and can provide proof of same upon request.
  • This event is NOT a pot luck event!  There will be no self-serve of food or beverages.
  • The club will set up our “land-locked” food truck stall in Deans yard serving up all the traditional style of German style fest foods!  You just walk up, place an order and your food will be handed directly to you from one of those poor bastards working the food stall (Rob and I).
  • All beers will be served in a 1 time use plastic glass by the beer-tenders working the bar.  No self-pouring allowed.  This will limit cross contamination.
  • Bottle sharing will still be encouraged with the hope that all participants remain self-aware and be cautious.

We hope to make this event a safe as possible while still maintaining a biergarten vibe for the participants.  We hope to see you all there!

Cheers,

Ian Fraser
President, Pacific Gravity

Upcoming Events:

Pacific Brewers Cup

Sign up to judge or steward now at  http://comp.pacificgravity.com/
Entry Registration starts October 15th
Entry Organizing October 30 at Tortugo Brewing Co.
Judging Day:  November 6th, 2021 starting at 8:30 AM at Tortugo Brewing Co.

September First Friday at Richmond Bar and Grill

/in , /by
Greetings Pacific Gravity,

I hope this message finds you safe and well!  The PG Board continues to struggle with keeping us all safe while allowing some kind of social gathering!  We hope this First Friday will fit the bill!

FIRST FRIDAY AT RICHMOND BAR AND GRILL
Sept. 3, 2021 at 7:00 PM
145 Richmond St, El Segundo, CA 90245  (310) 322-7197
https://www.richmondbarandgrill.com/

We have reserved the back patio for our group, it is outdoors yet in an enclosed area so we won’t have a lot of foot traffic coming through.  This way we can socially distance while being gathered together!

Tom Rierson reports in good things about the pub; the new owners have made some renovations to improve on the location.  He has also arranged that “Old Rasputin” will be one of the offerings on tap that evening.  The beers are $8.00.

So come on out, join your fellow members and lift a pint!

See you there!
Cheers,

Ian Fraser

President

Pacific Gravity

Upcoming Events

  • Sept 16, club meeting at Tortugo Brewing
  • Oct. 1, OCT. First Friday; location TBD
  • Oct 2 (SAT!) Octoberfest summer party!
  • November 6th:  Pacific Brewers Cup at Tortugo Brewing

VIRTUAL – Pacific Gravity Club Meeting Thursday August 19th

/in , /by

 

Greetings Pacific Gravity!
Greetings Pacific Gravity, I Hope you all are staying well and safe.  We have good news and bad news.Due to the rising COVID numbers and out of an abundance of caution the board has decided to postpone the Summer Party tentatively scheduled for August 28, to its new date of October 2nd, 2021.  Instead of a “summer” party, we will now call it our “OKtoberfest” party! We will have an Oktoberfest theme and foods.  If my plan comes together we will even have a special surprise in store!Because we decided to postpone the summer party we also decided to pivot and have a club meeting this month.  However, the board also decided to hold this meeting as “virtual” to avoid spreading the Delta variant to our members.  We hope that we can resume ‘in person’ meetings next month but we are monitoring the situation as a day to day and will decide based on the CDC guidance given.

For August 19, we will be holding our meeting virtually at Tortugo Brewing.  Joe has generously put together a tasting pack of beers he has ready to go.  Thank you for putting this together for us on the fly Joe!
Tortugo Brewing Co.
916 W. Hyde Park Blvd.
Inglewood,  CA  90302
(424) 227-9963The tasting pack will be a 4-pack of 16 OZ cans of the following:

  • 2 16oz Watermelon mint west Coast IPA; – An 8.5% ABV West coast IPA brewed with 400 lbs of fresh watermelon and 25lbs of fresh mint dry hopped with citra and lemon drop
  • 2 16oz BC25 coffee west coast IPA – A 7% ABV Single Westcoast IPA brewed with Ethiopian and Sumatra coffee then dry hopped with galaxy and mosaic hops
  • PLUS:  1 32oz Santiago Stout – A 6.7% abv American Stout With huge roast and malty notes (Lloyd Johnson’s first 100% of his own recipe on the Tortugo brewing system)!

All 5 beers for a special club price of $25!

All the beers will be available starting on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

I hope to see you all then!

Cheers,

Ian Fraser

President, Pacific Gravity

Upcoming Events

Friday Sept. 3rd:  First Friday at Richmond Grill

Thursday Sept 16, 2021: Club Meeting @ Tortugo Brewing

Saturday October 2, 2021:  Oktoberfest Party at Dean’s

Competition Corner – August 2021

/in /by

As we work through the dog days of summer, we have just now gotten the results of the Mayfaire competition.  Congratulations go to Carl Townsend with a 3rd place for Märzen, and a 2nd place for Southern English Brown (using Dean’s virtual big brew recipe!)   And, Craig Corley got a 2nd place for Bpa #43 Belgian-Style Pale Ale.  We had a good judging session up at MacLeod Brewing Co on July 24th, though COVID limitations set this competition back by about 3 months from its normal schedule.

Next up is some just-released info on QUAFF’s America’s Finest City Beer Competition in 2021.  Usually held in February, there is a new entry deadline of August 20th at 9:00 PM.  Entries must be received by that date at Alesmith Brewing Company,  9990 AleSmith Ct, San Diego, CA 92126.  Two bottles are required per entry.  Please visit the site, and sign up at https://quaff.org/AFC-2021/ .  Quaff is also looking for judges. Judging will be at Alesmith on Friday August 27 at 6:00 PM,  and on Saturday August 28th at 9:00 AM.  The competition staff requests that all judges have proof of vaccination.

Coming up in October is the California Homebrewers Association Fall Best of Show Fall 2021.  Five styles will be judged in this competition, including
❏ 6C. Dunkles Bock
❏ 18A. Blonde Ale
❏ 22C. American Barleywine
❏ 26D. Belgian Dark Strong Ale
❏ 30A. Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer

The club is allowed to have two entries, and entrants must be a paid member of CHA.  If you have an entry, please let me know by early October.  If we have 3 or more entries, we will do a mini taste-off to select the two entries.

And don’t lose sight of the long-delayed 2020 Pacific Brewers Cup. (No, 2020 is not a type – just like the Olympics.) We have set a judging date of November 6, 2021 at Tortugo Brewery  (thanks Joe!) Details are still being worked out, and we hope that the current surge of COVID cases doesn’t mess up our plans.  But in any case, you clearly need to get some beer ready to enter, so get those brew kettles going now.

Carl Townsend
Competition Coordinator

Upcoming Events

August 19: VIRTUAL club meeting featuring Tortugo Brewing
September 3rd: First Friday at Richmond Grill (tentatively in person)
September 16th: Club meeting @ Tortugo Brewing (tentatively in person)
Summer Party – POSTPONED! Will be Oktoberfest, October 2, 2021

 

Stuffed Sandwich FIRST SATURDAY August 7th

/in /by

 

Greetings Pacific Gravity!

For our August First Friday, we are switching it up to FIRST SATURDAY! Please join us at the Stuffed Sandwich, Saturday August 7th at 12:00 NOON in San Gabriel.

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

THIS IS A LIVE EVENT!  We plan to sit in the outside patio under the misters…but dress for the heat!

I was in San Gabriel this last weekend and it was 90+ degrees.
Marlene is expecting us, and for August she is featuring fruit and sour beers on tap.
This is a ‘drive yourself’ event so try and arrange car pools if you can!

I hope to see you all there!
Cheers,

Ian Fraser
President
Pacific Gravity

Upcoming Events

August 28: Summer Party
September 3rd: First Friday (location to be announced)
September 16th: Club meeting @ Tortugo Brewing

July First Friday at Firestone Walker Propagator

/in /by
As July rolls around, we are starting to break out of our social bubbles. We will start out with First Friday live and in-person at Firestone-Walker Propagator Restaurant. Join us Friday July 2 at 7:00 PM at an indoor table reserved for the club.  Manager Jay Sanders will stop by our table and fill us in on all the happenings at the Propagator.  He has also offered us the opportunity to bring a homebrew along (NO commercial beers). While you’re there, don’t forget to stop by the Bottle Store (which closes at 9PM).

For those of you who still prefer social distancing, we will also be on Zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/634397402?pwd=N0dXdnhhTW5ySzBPdUhqRTN5SzRWZz09
Meeting ID: 634 397 402 Password: 128972

Propagator is at 3205 Washington Blvd.Marina Del Rey, CA 90292.

Restaurant (310) 439.8264,  Store (310) 740.9060

See you there!

Competition Corner – July 2021

/in /by

As we are coming out of our COVID-induced cocoons, we finally have some competitions to work on. First up is the California Homebrewers Association Fall Best of Show Competition.  Pacific Gravity is allowed to have two entries only.  Congratulations to Eric Muhlheim who has already qualified with an outstanding Schwarzier. Hence, we have just ONE more entry slot.  This is a small competition with just four more acceptable styles:

❏ 1A. American Light Lager
❏ 1C. Cream Ale
❏ 8B. Schwarzbier (This slot won by Eric!)
❏ 19B. California Common
❏ 23A. Berliner Weisse
If you have a beer to enter, please drop me a line by July 2nd. If more than one person responds, we will do a small taste-off.

Read more →

PG Member Tomm Carroll featured speaker for Masterclass in Italian craft beer

/in /by

Veteran Pacific Gravity member, beer writer and international beer judge Tomm Carroll, a longtime advocate for birra artigianale, joins Italian craft beer expert Lorenzo “Kuaska” Dabove for an online Masterclass entitled Untapped Secrets of Italian Craft Beer. 

A collaboration between the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West (IACCW), headquartered in Los Angeles, and the Accademia delle Professioni in Padua, the class will explore the originality and creativity of modern Italian brewers and the intimate relationship to their homeland through the use of local ingredients. 

Lorenzo and Tomm will be tasting and discussing one of the great and most unique of Italian beers: Nora, from Birra Baladin.  If attendees would like to taste along with them (optional), they can purchase a bottle of Nora at Eataly in Century City in the LA area, or wherever fine Italian craft beers are sold in your region.

Tomm invites you to check out Untapped Secrets of Italian Craft Beer, which takes place online Thursday, July 8, 12:00-1:00 PM PDT (9:00-10:00 PM CET). For more information and complimentary registration (closes July 5), visit

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/masterclass-untapped-secrets-of-italian-craft-beer-tickets-158188242291

Club Meeting June 17th Featuring Smog City (Virtual)

/in /by
Greetings Pacific Gravity!
Yes, this month’s club meeting is still virtual, but the beers that our good friends over at Smog City have lined up for tasting will make it worth your while. Porter will be joining in to give us the low down on these great selections. So zoom on in for the meeting.Swing by this weekend, or order online and pick up for faster service. The beers will be live and available to order tomorrow morning. Tune in next Thursday, see you then!Thursday 6/17/2021 at 7:30 PMJune Club Meeting (VIRTUAL) Smog City
1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 320-7664Check out this knock out line up of beers that are available now.PG 4-pack – $22.00 

  • Strange Times 8 – Double Dry Hopped Triple IPA – 10.3% ABV featuring CItra, Simcoe, and Azacca Cryo
  • 10th Anniversary IPA – 6.8% ABV featuring Strata, Chinook, & Centennial
  • From LA Wit Love – Belgian Wit Bier – 4.3% ABV with sweet and bitter orange peels and coriander. This beer is open fermented and lagered.
  • White Peach Saison – 6.5% ABV Foudre fermented mixed culture saison with over 3.5 lbs per GALLON of organic white peaches from Tenerelli farms.

Here is a direct link to order for the Torrance taproom pickup:

Pacific Gravity Club Pack

Check your email for the Zoom link.

Upcoming Dates To Remember

Keep your calendars open! We have even more opportunities for beer drinking.
Here is some of what’s in store for the future:

July 2, 2021:  First Friday with Firestone Walker Brewing

Always best to plan ahead!

Club Hats Now Available

They’re $20 each for current members and $22 for past due or non members, cash only.  Available in black, green or khaki.  Contact Craig Corley.

Annual Dues

It’s time to renew your annual membership dues for the Pacific Gravity Home Brewers Club. 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. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming swag opportunities!

Individual Membership = $36/yr – Renew now with PayPal: https://py.pl/7nPtV
Couples Membership = $54/yr  – Renew now with PayPal: https://py.pl/85H04FHyUt6

June First Friday at Harajuku Taproom (Virtual)

/in /by

Hopefully by this Friday your vaccines will be kicking in.  But, in the meantime, we are still celebrating virtually.  Please join us once again for a Beer, Sake and food pairing with Harajuku

First Friday June 4, 2021
Culver City, CA 90230

Taproom.   We will start up a Zoom session Friday June 4th at 7:00 PM.

Adam Guttentag has put together a special deal for us:

2 Beers from Baird Brewing:

1 sake:

Food Pairing: A special Pacific Gravity Bento:
  • Chicken Karaage,
  • Pork/Chicken Gyoza Dumplings,
  • Seaweed Salad, Pickles,
  • Rice
Price: $30 and we would appreciate pre-orders by noon on Friday (6/4) and pick up by 5pm.

Harajuku Taproom is located at: 4410 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230

Tel: 310-963-7811

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.harajukutaproomla.com

You should receive a link to the Zoom meeting by separate email.  If you don’t get the email, please let me know.  This should be a cool First Friday, jump in and I will see you there!
Cheers,
Ian Fraser
President
Pacific Gravity

Coming up:

First Friday June 4, 2021 featuring Harajuku Taproom
Club Meeting June 17, 2021

Club Hats Now Available

They’re $20 each for current members and $22 for past due or non members, cash only.  Available in black, green or khaki.  Contact Craig Corley.

Annual Dues

If you missed out on paying your dues in March, it’s not too late! 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. New swag opportunities are just around the corner!

Individual Membership = $36/yr – Renew now with PayPal: https://py.pl/7nPtV
Couples Membership = $54/yr  – Renew now with PayPal: https://py.pl/85H04FHyUt6
You can also renew by credit card at PayPal, or by check or cash.