Reminder: Pacific Gravity January Club Meeting

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Don’t miss our first club meeting of 2019, headed by our new president, Ian Fraser.

When: Thursday, January 17, 2019
Time: 7:30
Where: Tortugo Brewing, 916 W Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood, CA.

Hyde Park Blvd is a few blocks East of Three Weavers, and just North of the iconic Randy’s Doughnuts. From La Cienega and Florence, go east on Florence about 1/4 mile, turning left at the first street. Go under the metro rail tracks, proceed to the big orange building on the East side of the street.

Commercial Style of the Month:   English Bitters. Dean will lead us in the commercial tasting

Homebrew Style of the Month:   English Bitters.

Please bring some home-brewed beer to share.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Club Meetings:
February 21: Tortugo Brewing Company, 7:30 pm
March 21: Tortugo Brewing Company, 7:30 pm

First Fridays:
February 1: Santa Monica Brew Works, 1920 Colorado Ave #c, Santa Monica
March 1: Irish Times, 3267 Motor Ave, West Los Angeles

Annual Smog City Monster Brew:
Saturday, March 9, 6-ish am

See you there!

.

Hoppy Holidays! PG Holiday Party – Dec 15, 2018!!

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Hoppy Holidays – 2018 Edition!

It is time for the Pacific Gravity annual holiday event.  Mark your calendars!  This year the party is happening on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Neil Saund’s duplex – at: 12966 Rubens Ave, Los Angeles, CA. (at Alla Road)

The party will kick off about 5:00 P.M.  If you have not attended one of the past holiday events, let us tell you this is one party not to be missed!

 

We really, really need your help with the following:

 

FOOD:

Although the club will be providing some of the main dishes, this is still a potluck party and YOUR favorite party dish will be greatly appreciated!  The menu should mostly reflect past holiday parties featuring Carbonnades ala Flamandes, deep fried turkeys, spiced ham and much more! Suggestions of what to bring would include any kind of main dish but especially all side dishes, veggie dishes, salads, desserts and appetizers. So, if you have a favorite family holiday recipe and want to share it with the rest of us, this is your chance.  Please let us know what you will bring. If you have any questions about what to bring, please contact Club Chef Ian at: masterchef@pacificgravity.com.

The dinner portion of the event will be ongoing beginning at approximately 7pm. Please note that there will be very little space available for reheating food, so please bring your food ready to serve, not ready to cook.

Crockpots and chafing dishes with sterno fuel would be a great idea of how to bring something and keep it hot.

Also, don’t forget to label your containers or anything you want back.

 

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: Competitions@pacificgravity.com & let him know what you will bring.  Everyone who signs up in advance will have a colorful tap tag.

VOLUNTEERS needed for setup & cleanup
On Saturday, Dec 15th from approximately 10am to 12noon, we need help with final setup at Neil’s.

On Sunday, Dec 16th, starting at 10am, we need lots of people to help with clean up. The more we get the faster it goes. (probably ending around 12noon-1pm).

If you’d like to volunteer for set up or clean up contact us: PG Board at Board@pacificgravity.com

 

EQUIPMENT:

We need a few more heat lamps and fire pits so please donate them 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.

We need more TABLES, e-z ups (canopies), and power strips.

We also need jockey boxes and CO2 cylinders and Sanke taps to help make sure all the beverages flow cold with perfect carbonation. We have more kegs than taps on the Wave, and the jockey boxes help out big time.

If at all possible, please bring your kegs and heavy stuff to setup on Friday evening or between 10am – 12noon on Saturday. This makes the last minute activities at party time go much more smoothly. The early kegs get the best slots on the Wave. Make sure all your kegs, coolers, tanks  taps, and other equipment are well labeled so they all return to their rightful owners Sunday morning.

Note, if you can’t deliver beer kegs to the Neil’s house at setup on Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, then please email Carl Townsend at Competitions@pacificgravity.com to make arrangements to drop off your kegs at his house.

4th Annual Holiday CLOTHING CHARITY DRIVE:
It’s time to clean out your closets…Pacific Gravity is having our 4th annual Holiday CLOTHING DRIVE!

We will have boxes for any donations you can bring to the party.
For clothes & other items, please see the list below which will be donated to The People Concern (formerly, OPCC). They are mostly in need of men’s clothing in large sizes. Clothing can be “gently used” and should be clean.
Monetary donations will also be accepted – checks or cash. Special donation envelopes will be available at the party. Tax receipts for monetary donations will be sent to you by mail.

Below is a list of items that we can always use:

Clothing
Sweat socks – for men, women and children
Sweat shirts and pants for adults – all sizes especially larger sizes
New underwear – men’s, women and children
Flannel and long sleeve shirts for adults

Personal & Household items
Hygiene Items: toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, disposable razors, bar soap, hand & body lotion,etc.
Blankets (preferably wool)
Sleeping bags for adults

Final Party Details:

Dress warm for our winter party, bring food and bring beer!

Highlighting the evening will be the crowning of the Pacific Gravity Club Member of the Year, and awarding of the trophy for Brewer of the Year.

Santa is sure to make an appearance to give away lots of great door prizes (prize donations welcome).
All club members and their guests are welcome, so plan on joining us…Celebrate the season, good beer, good food and friends the Pacific Gravity way!

Pacific Gravity: November Recap, Holiday Party, Club Member of the Year Voting

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November Meeting Recap

Our Annual Chili Cookoff at Tortugo Brewing Company was a rousing success. Parker W (2), Robert W, Neil S, Luis D.S., Ian F, and Dean S (2) submitted chilis for consideration by fellow PG members and guests, with voting in the usual 2 categories: Best Chili and Most Unique Chile.

And the winners were {drumroll, please}:
Best Chili: Ian
Most Unique: Parker
Ian and Parker each won a growler of their choice from the Totugo tap list.

Q: What is a Chili Cookoff without some tasty homebrews? A: Not a PG chili cookoff. Our homebrew selection included:
– Pumpkin Spiced Marzen (Parker)
– 10% Apple Cider (Parker)
– Holiday Spiced Ale (Carl)
– Porter (Carl)
– Monstrous IPA (Ian)

Brian W. brought us an interesting array of commercial version of Spiced Beers (BJCP 30), including a vertical tasting of Anchor Specials.

Congratulations: 2019 ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

By popular vote, the 2019 PG Board is:

President: Ian Fraser
Vice President: Elijah Barone
Treasurer: Terry Molloy

2018 CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR – VOTING OPEN UNTIL DECEMBER 6

If you are a member in good standing and were not at the chili cookout meeting, you can still vote by email. Send your choices to me at: vicepresident @ pacificgravity dot com (standard email address, spelled phonetically to prevent phishing).

The nominees:

Parker Waechter  (brings multiple kegs to every meeting and PG event)
Carl Townsend (organizer of competition submissions, font of brewing information, education coordinator)
Michael Musgrave (outgoing president, sponsor acquisition specialist, lots of stuff you don’t see that keeps the club moving)
Tim Bardet (outgoing treasurer, storage unit organizer, and event supply hauler, tireless volunteer)
Elijah Barone (beer sharer, story teller, club cheerleader)

You can vote for up to 2.

HOLIDAY PARTY NEWS!

When: Saturday, December 15, 2018
Time: 5:00
Where: Neil Saund Duplex, 12966 Rubens (at Alla), Del Rey, 90066

Plan to bring some beer to share, and a dish for the pot luck. Details to follow.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

December 7: First Friday at The Doughroom, Culver City

December 9: Initial Party Set-up at Neil’s duplex. 12 Noon – 4:00

December 15: P.G. Holiday Party
Details about set-up dates will be forwarded soon.

December 16; Party Clean-up. 11a – ? The more hands we have, the faster it will go. Last year only took a couple of hours.

January TBD, 2019: Annual Trip To Rob Ruben’s Distillery, El Segundo

 See you Soon!

.

Pacific Gravity Update: October Meeting, Etc

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OCTOBER CLUB MEETING

This is no Trick, but definitely a Treat .. our next club meeting will be held at an exciting new venue: PG Member Joe Kovach’s “new” brewery, Tortugo Brewing Company. Joe has some tasty beers on tap, and has some pretty interesting plans for future beers and expansion.

We will also be finalizing the board member election slate of the 2019 P.G. Board (see below for nomination info).

When: Thursday, October 18, 2018
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Tortugo Brewing Company, 916 W Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood, CA.

Hyde Park Blvd is a few blocks East of Three Weavers, and around the corner from iconic Randy’s Doughnuts. From La Cienega and Florence, go east on Florence about 1/4 mile, turning left at the first street. Go under the metro rail tracks, proceed to the big orange building on the East side of the street.

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT: In the second of a series, Carl will be demonstrating how water chemistry affects the taste of your homebrew, and how you can fine tune your H2O to the style you are brewing.

COMMERCIAL STYLE of the MONTH:   European Pale Ales.

And whatever Joe Has On Tap.

HOMEBREW STYLE of the MONTH:   European Pale Ales, and any home-brewed IPA.

IMPORTANT!!!  BOARD MEMBER NOMINATIONS REQUESTED

As we advised previously, Tim Bardet is retiring as Treasurer. Also, President Michael Musgrave recently started a new position that is sure to take up significant amounts of his time.

If you are keeping score, that is one firm opening (Treasurer), and a potentially provisional opening (President).

Please consider volunteering your nomination, either by emailing the board (board @ pacific gravity . com) or by voice at the October meeting. Nominations will be accepted for all elected board positions.

Voting will be held at the November meeting.

NOMINATION REQUEST #2: P.G. CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Do you think one of your fellow Pacific Gravity members has gone above and beyond helping P.G. be the great home brewers club that it is? If so, please be sure to nominate him/her at the October meeting, or by email to the board.

Voting will be held at the November meeting.

NOVEMBER EVENTS:

First Friday:
Date: Friday, November 2.
Place: Yorkshire Square, 1109 Van Ness Avenue, Torrance
Time: 7’ish pm

Yorkshire Square is on Van Ness, just North of Torrance Blvd..

November Chili Cookoff / Club Meeting / ** Board Member Election **:
Date: TBD: Nov. 10 or Nov 17.
Place: TBD
Time: 12:00 Noon

As has been our practice in the past couple of years, we will combine the Chili Cookoff with the November Club Meeting. It will be on either the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of November. We haven’t worked out all the details yet – get your chili recipe ready!

AND!!  WE WILL BE ELECTING FOR THE 2019 PACIFIC GRAVITY BOARD!!

DECEMBER EVENTS:

First Friday:
Date: Friday, December 7.
Place: The Doughroom, Culver City
Time: 7:30 pm

 

2018 Holiday Party:
Date: TBD
Place: TBD
Time: 5:00 pm

As has been our practice in the past couple of years, we will combine the Chili Cookoff with the November Club Meeting. It will be on either the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of November. We haven’t worked out all the details yet – get your chili recipe ready!

Remember: Bring some of your homebrew to the meeting and events.

 

See you next Thursday!

 

Pacific Gravity: Next Meeting, Looking Back, Looking Forward

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SEPTEMBER CLUB MEETING

One of Pacific Gravity’s signature events is the annual Monster Brew held in conjunction with Jonathan Porter, Owner, Brewer and Proprietor Extraordinaire of Smog City Brewing. Our next meeting is truly special: we are going to share our Monster Brew creations with Porter and the staff at Smog City

When: This Thursday, September 20, 2018
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Smog City Brewing Company, 1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA.

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT: In the first of a series, Carl will be demonstrating how water chemistry affects the taste of your homebrew, and how you can fine tune your H2O to the style you are brewing.

COMMERCIAL STYLE of the MONTH:   IPAs, hosted by Reuben.

And whatever Porter Has On Tap.

HOMEBREW STYLE of the MONTH:   Your Monster Brew, and any home-brewed IPA.

Kegs, bottles and growlers of the style of the month are encouraged. All homebrews are welcome.

LOOKING BACK AT THE SUMMER OF 2018:

We sure had an interesting summer:

  • 36 PG and WASH (West Adams Society of Homebrewers) members attended the annual Southern California Homebrewers Festival at Vail Lake in Temecula. We shared 23 kegs with home brewers from around Southern and Central California.
  • We held our last meeting at PG’s long time home, Culver City Homebrew Supply.
  • Our annual Big Brew highlighted the different methods used to make award winning (and tasty) beers, from Michael’s Brew-in-a-Bag, to Carl’s Thermo-Siphon Reboiler, to Parker’s Set-it-and-Forget-It Grainfather.
  • PG members congregated at the Casa Molloy Event Center to make jockey boxes and add to our auxiliary stock of party taps.
  • Another cozy Summer Party involving much sampling of fellow PG members home-brews, interesting commercial beers from around the country, and the culinary inspirations of Ian Fraser and his Merry Band of Sous Chefs.
  • Our combined August club meeting / Tania’s Birthday Party was held at Neil Saund’s duplex.
  • And finally, a Labor Day Weekend Downtown-LA Brewery Crawl. To kickoff the crawl, Art District’s Head Brewer Devon Randall bought everyone’s first pint, and her staff treated us to a tour of the brewhouse. We also sampled their freshest beer.

Now, let’s kick our Fall into high gear.

OCTOBER EVENTS:

First Friday:
Date: Friday, October 5.
Place: Phantom Carriage Brewing, 18525 S. Main Street, Carson, CA
Time: 7’ish pm

Phantom Carriage was started by a couple of Pacific Gravity alumni.

October Club Meeting:
Date: Thursday, October 18.
Place: Tortugo Brewing Company, 916 W. Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood
Time: 7:30 pm

Tortugo is only a couple of months old, and was started by PG member Joe Kovach. He has some pretty tasty beers on tap, including a Belgian Wit that is right on the mark.

Hyde Park Blvd is about 2 blocks East of the intersection of Florence and La Cienega, and about 4 blocks East of Three Weavers.

WANTED: VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS

After many years of outstanding service, Tim Bardet is retiring as Treasurer. At the September and October meetings, we will be taking nominations for Treasurer, and – if you are so inclined – the other elected positions (President, Vice President).

If you would like to be part of Keeping Pacific Gravity Great, please volunteer your nomination.

NOVEMBER EVENTS:

First Friday:  TBA
Date: Friday, November 2.
Place: TBA
Time: 7’ish pm

Phantom Carriage was started by a couple of Pacific Gravity alumni.

November Chili Cookoff / Club Meeting:
Date: TBD
Place: TBD
Time: TBD

We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but just wanted you to be ready for it.

Remember: Please bring some of your homebrew to the meeting and events.

 

See you Thursday!

Beach Bar Bike Bash and Strand Brewers Club Summer Party

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Hey Pacific Gravity members,Craft Tap Beer

Want to cool off this weekend?

Come join the Strand Brewers on our annual Beach Bar Bike Bash.

We’ll be gathering with our bikes at The Rockefeller in Hermosa Beach at 11 AM Saturday (8/4).

422 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Then we’ll explore some of the best beer venues on the Hermosa Pier such as Silvio’s, Rebel Republic or Tower 12.

Somewhere around 1 PM we’ll ride the bike path up toward the Manhattan Pier where we’ll sample the world-class beer offerings at BrewCo and Simmzy’s

You will always be able to find the group by calling our Cell Phone Central (Strand Brewers’ Club President Chris Remensperger) at (310) 863-6222

Then we’ll be finishing the day around 4 PM at Summer’s Sports Bar in north Manhattan Beach for the Strand Brewers Club Summer Party.

3770 Highland Ave Ste 103
Manhattan Beach, California 90266

(NE corner of Rosecrans and Highland)

Actually, we have arranged for all day parking at Summers Bar, so you can leave your can and homebrew with them starting at 9 AM, then ride down to Hermosa to join the BBBB.

Everyone is invited to join the SBC Summer Party. We’re selling tickets for $20 to cover the cost of a catered dinner and appetizers.

We’ll have the run of the bar to drink our homebrew and party until 10 PM or so.

Jay Ankeney

June Club Meeting

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Hey y’all,  I hope your summer is heating up and you’re finding some shade during brew days.

Quick reminder: We’re holding our monthly meeting at Terry’s house this coming Saturday June 16th.  We’ll have all of the typical activities going on, plus a jockey box build session. On the grill we’ll provide bbq chicken but we could use some side dishes. Homemade or store bought, doesn’t matter to us. Bring salad, corn, rice, bread, whatever – Let’s have a cookout.

If you’re interested in watching (or if you’re participating in) the jockey box build, arrive at 11am. Noon if you just want to come for the meeting.

Looking ahead, we’re confirmed for July 28th at Dean’s for this year’s summer bash. Please help us spread the word to other members. It seems like somebody gets the date too late every year, so talk it up.

See you soon!

– Michael

Pacific Gravity Reminders: Meeting This Week, Bidding Adieu to CCHBS

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“They” say all good things come to an end, and it certainly holds true this Thursday as we hold our last club meeting at our long-time home, Culver City HomeBrew Supply. So, let’s go out in style. If you have a special beer to share, please bring it along as we toast the good times and thank Greg, Kevin, Craig and Tim for their hospitality.

Where: Culver City Homebrew Supply, 4234 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City.
Time: 7:30pm

COMMERCIAL STYLE of the MONTH:   American Pale Ales

As always, we will have some interesting commercial examples.

HOMEBREW STYLE of the MONTH:   American Pale Ales

Kegs, bottles and growlers of the style of the month are encouraged, all homebrews are welcome.

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOMEBREWERS FESTIVAL RECAP:

Another Homebrewers Fest is on the books, and it was a great. The 97-degree heat did not deter 36 PG and WASH (West Adams Society of Homebrewers) members, along with another thousand or so home brewers, from congregating at Vail Lake Resort and sampling the brews of 35 other clubs from around Southern and Central California. PG had 23 kegs available for sampling on The Wave and expansion module. WASH had quite a few at the next booth over, augmented by the annual Dan Hakes Invitational Mead Sampling. (Invitational, as in: “if you are in the festival grounds, you are invited to sample”.)

And, as always, besides the offerings at the fest site, there was an interesting variety of bottles shared at our campsite on Friday and Saturday nights.  Kudos to Dean Sussman for the inspirational Saturday morning stacking of the leftover bottles from Friday Night’s Bigfoot Vertical.

Additional campsite entertainment was provided by Joe Hogue, who demonstrated the mind boggling versatility of his homebuilt quadcopter.

2018 BIG BREW (5/26): THE  GRAINFATHER  MEETS  THE  THERMO-SIPHON  REBOILER

You won’t want to miss this year’s Big Brew, where you can watch some of our award winning homebrewers demonstrate the equipment that helps them make great beers. Are you an extract brewer thinking about moving to all-grain? Are you looking to upgrade the equipment that you currently have?

Parker will be there with The Grainfather, and Carl is going to fire up his reboiler that will have you ducking for cover as you look for the Santa Monica Airport-bound jet that missed its approach. Andrew, Michael, and Nathan are scheduled to be on hand with their brew rigs, and there is room for 1 more.  If you would like to show off your system, send an email to Carl (competitions @ pacificgravity . com) and reserve your spot. All-grain and extract brewers are welcome to brew.

Notes for Big-Brewers:

  1. If possible, arrange with Carl (see email above) to drop off your equipment at on Thursday or Friday. Please do not show up at Carl’s at 7am.
  2. Bring your own hose for chilling.
  3. Plan your schedule to be finished (wort in the fermenter, equipment packed up) by 5pm.

Notes for Everyone:

  1. Please bring beer. We will be setting up The Wave and the expansion module for kegs. Of course, growlers & bottles are always welcome.
  2. Lunch: We will be firing up Carl’s iconic Weber and cooking up some burgers and hot dogs.
  3. Sides, salads, snacks, and dessert will be welcomed. Please drop a note to the board (board @ pacificgravity .com) if you can bring something.

Date: Saturday, May 26.
Place: Carl’s Place, 3621 Redwood Avenue, Los Angeles, 90066
Time: All grain brewers should plan to start mash-in around 10am. Extract brewers can start later.

 

MAKE YOUR OWN JOCKEY-BOX DAY:

Using a jockey box is the perfect way to serve your homebrew at family outings, friends’ houses, or in your own backyard. And now, you can make your own. In addition to a cooler, (48-quart coolers are a popular size), you will need these pieces for each beer line (prices are approximate):

  • Stainless Tubing ($35 for 10 feet)
  • Vinyl Beer Line ($5)
  • Ball Lock Disconnect with Flare Fitting ($12)
  • Screw Clamps ($4 for Set of 4)
  • Dispense equipment:
    • Option A: Cobra Head Picnic Tap ($5); or
    • Option B: Shank + Standard Faucet ($35)
Approximate cost per beer line (excludes cooler):

Dispensing with Cobra Head picnic tap:  $61
($35 + $5 + $12 + $4 + $5)

Dispensing with Standard Faucet:  $91
($35 + $5 + $12 + $4 + $35)

Preparation:
  • Bend Stainless Tube to fit into your cooler (tube bender and measurements will be on hand at Jockey Box Day);
  • Cut Vinyl Beer Line into 2 sections, beer-side and dispense-side;
  • if using shank & faucet, drill hole in cooler for shank (drill and hole cutter will be on hand);
Assembly:
  • screw Ball Lock Disconnect onto Flare Fitting;
  • use Clamp#1 to attach the Flare Fitting to the beer-side Vinyl Beer Line;
  • use Clamp#2 to attach the other end of the beer-side Vinyl Beer Line to the Stainless Tube inside the cooler;
  • use Clamp#3 to attach the dispense-side Vinyl Beer Line to the other end of the Stainless Tube;
  • use Clamp#4 to attach the other side of the dispense-side Vinyl Beer Line to the dispense fixture (Cobra-head picnic tap or faucet shank;
  • (if using shank + faucet) attach faucet to shank fitting.

Date: Saturday, June 16.
Place: Casa Molloy Event Center (6738 W. 87th Place, Westchester, 90045)

A couple of Jockey Boxes will be on display at the Big Brew, and a sign-up sheet will be available. If you cannot be at the big brew, but wish to order the hardware (except for the cooler, which you provide), please send me an email (vice-president @ pacificgravity .com) and advise how many of each of these pieces you would like (prices approximate). If you already have some of the pieces (e.g. clamps, shank & faucet), you do not need order with us.

  1. Stainless Tube (@ $35 ea):
  2. Vinyl Beer Line (@ $5 ea):
  3. Set of 4 clamps (@ $4 ea set):
  4. Ball Lock + Flare Fitting (@ $12 ea set):
  5. Cobra Head Picnic Tap (@ $5 ea) or
  6. Shank + Basic Faucet (@ $35 per set):

 

SHARE YOUR HOMEBREW:

Please bring some of your homebrew to the meeting and events.

DUES are DUE.

Dues are $36 per individual, $54 for couples.  If you haven’t paid yet, please do it at the meeting.

NEEDED:  MEETING PLACE

Do you know of a local venue that would allow us to hold our monthly meeting and share our homebrew? Do you have a decent sized backyard that could host 30-50 fellow club members for a meeting? If so, please drop us a line at board @ pacificgravity .com), or talk to one of the board members at an upcoming event.

See you Thursday!

Pacific Gravity News: First Friday, April Roundup

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This Friday (May 4) is First Friday! And It’s a Classic!

Where: Daily Pint, 2310 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90245
Time: 7:30pm

April Meeting Kegs

We had quite the line-up of kegs at the April meeting. Thank you to the following members who donated legged home-brew:

Parker W: Dubbel
Carl T: Pale Ale
Parker W: Standard Bitter
Ken M: New England IPA
Carl T: Belgian Blonde
Parker W: Altbier
Tim J: Monster Lager
Andrew W: Double Chocolate Imperial Stout
Tim J: Dark Red

There were quite a few growlers and bottles floating around, too. Thanks to everyone who shared.

Southern California Homebrew Festival

We are less than a week away. It’s going to be a hot day!  I will be sending out a final email on Monday or Tuesday.

Pacific Gravity Big Brew: Saturday, May 26

Still in town for Memorial Weekend? Come on over to the annual Big Brew and check out the brew rigs of your fellow PG members in action, including the system that Carl uses to brew his award winning beers.

Date: Saturday, May 26.
Place: Carl’s Place, 3621 Redwood Ave. Los Angeles, Ca. 90066
Time: 10:00 – 6:00

All Grain Brewers should plan to start mashing in around 10:00 am. Extract brewers can start later.

If you secured a spot to brew, arrange an equipment drop off time with Carl (competitions @ pacific gravity . com) on Friday. Please do NOT show up at 7am on Saturday and expect a warm greeting.

Craft Day:  Make Your Own Jockey Box: Saturday, June 16

Where: Casa Molloy, 6738 W. 87th Place, Westchester
Time: 10:30a – 6:00p

You supply the cooler. We’ll order the supplies. You make your jockey box. Easy, eh? Starting from scratch, each beer line line requires:
1. a length of stainless tube ($30 per 10-foot length, you cut to size);

2. vinyl beer line ($5 per 10 feet);

3. 4 screw clamps for securing beer line ($4 per set of 4);

4. ball lock disconnect ($7);

5. swivel nut for ball lock ($3);

6. dispense hardware options, either:
(a) cobra head picnic tap ($5) OR
(b) shank ($30) + standard chrome faucet ($30)

If you haven’t signed up already, please respond to me at: vicepresident @ pacific gravity.com and advise how many of each item that you would like us to order.

For the shank & faucet option, advise how many shanks and how many faucets (e.g. if you want to purchase your own faucets).

Homebrewers Club In Need Of New Home

An era comes to an end: it’s been a great 20+ years, but our May meeting is the last one we will be holding at Culver City Homebrew Supply. Our June and July meeting places are already set (jockey box day and summer party, respectively), so we will need a meeting place for August.  If you know of a meeting place on the Westside that has room for 30-50 people and will allow us to share homebrew on-site, please drop a line to: board @ pacific gravity.com.

 

HAPPY BREWING!

Pacific Gravity Reminders: Meeting This Thursday, April 19

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Where: Culver City Homebrew Supply, 4234 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City.
Time: 7:30pm

COMMERCIAL STYLE of the MONTH:   Strong Belgian Ales

As always, we will have some interesting commercial examples.

HOMEBREW STYLE of the MONTH:   All Belgian Beers

Kegs, bottles and growlers welcome.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOMEBREWERS FESTIVAL:

If you are not going to the fest, but can donate a keg, please bring it to the meeting.  We will return the keg after the fest.

If you would like to be part of the meal plan, please respond to the email I sent last week. Cost is $25 for Friday/Saturday dinner, Saterday/Sunday breakfast.

Meal responders so far:
Ian F
Tim B
Carl T
Michael & Tania M
Brian & Kate W
Eli & Haley B
Joe H
Larry P
Dean S
Ken M
Greg B.

2018 BIG BREW:

Pack up your brewing system and head over to Carl’s place for our annual Big Brew. The first 6 responders to his email (competitions @ pacific gravity . com) are guaranteed a space to set up your rig. Other space will be allotted on an availability basis.  All-grain and extract brewers welcome.

This is your opportunity to see the brew rigs of fellow PG members in action, including the system that Carl uses to brew his award winning beers.

Date: Saturday, May 26.
Place: Carl’s Place (Address to follow)
Time: Carl will start mashing in around 9:30am

If you secure a spot, it would be helpful if you could drop off your equipment the day before.  Arrange a drop off time with Carl (competitions @ pacific gravity . com).

MAKE YOUR OWN JOCKEY-BOX DAY:

This is the event many of you have been waiting for!  You, too, can have your own jockey box, perfect for serving your homebrew at family outings, friends’ houses, or in your own backyard.

Date: Saturday, June 16.
Place: Casa Molloy Event Center (Address to follow)

We will start taking orders for parts (excluding cooler) at the meeting. The parts cost per beer line (stainless steel tube, beer line, clamps, ball lock, tap) range from $47 for a picnic tap system, to $80 for a shank and basic faucet system (forward seal faucets are higher).

SHARE YOUR HOMEBREW:

Please bring some of your home-brew to the meeting.

DUES are DUE.

Dues are $36 per individual, $54 for couples.  If you haven’t paid yet, please do it at the meeting.

NEEDED:  MEETING PLACE

As you know, Culver City Homebrew Supply, our longtime club meeting place, will cease business by the end of May, 2018.  We are looking for a place to hold our monthly club meetings. If you know of a local Westside establishment with a large meeting area where we can share our homebrew, or even if you would like to host meetings in your backyard, please email the board (board @ pacific gravity . com) or talk to one of the board members at Thursday’s meeting.

See you Thursday!