Beer Judge (BJCP) Class and Exam – Sign up by Dec 31st

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bjcp_pint_logo_headerQuite a few of you have expressed interest recently in learning how to become a beer judge.  Looking ahead into 2014, there are a couple of opportunities coming up. For new judges and existing judges wishing to advance, Jim Wilson of Strand Brewers Club, BJCP Grand Master Level II will be holding classes for the beer judging exam in December 6th, 2014 .  See his details below.  Drop him a line at

jim7258 (at) gmail dot com  no later than Dec 31st

and please cc: me at competitions@pacificgravity.com.   Read more →

BREW YEARS DAY! January 1st, 2014

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Brian and I would like to invite members of PACIFIC GRAVITY to our brewing tradition…BREW YEARS DAY!
Nothing starts a New Year off right like filling the fermenters with some liquid goodness!  This year we are designating one of our Whiskey barrels to hold the brew solely for 2014’s PACIFIC GRAVITY XMAS Party! So if you want follow this beer’s one year journey from brew day to pint glass, come on by.
 
BEER | FOOD
Bring commercial bottles to share, bottles of your homebrew, and/or a corny of your brew to go on one of THE WALKEN’s taps. Also share your New Years eatable tradition…black eyed peas, sauerkraut, pickled eggs…whatever good luck eats to ring in 2014. The grill and oven will be available for your contribution.
 
MASH IN
For the brave and un-hungover souls we will mash in @ 8am on and close up shop between 5 and 6pm. Contact Kingsley at akakman@me.com so we know you are coming and to get directions to THE WALKEN! 
 
HAPPY BREW YEAR!
 
Kingsley
Incoming VP | Pacific Gravity

November Meeting & Chili Cookoff

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Saturday November 16th we’ll be holding our November meeting at the home of Ian Fraser in Marina del Rey.
Please join us for a chili cook off and voting for member of the year as well as board positions.

Chili info:
-Please bring your entry in a vessel that will stay warm and has your name clearly marked on it.
-The club will provide the toppings (sour cream, green onions, cheese, chips etc..)
-We’ll be awarding prizes for Most Unique and Best Overall. So come hungry and ready to vote!

Board Member voting:
-We’re cutting off nominations this Friday, so if you would like to throw your hat in the ring, please email me at Vicepresident@pacificgravity.com .
-Brian Holter, Kingsley Toby, Tim Bardet and Ramesh Khalili are currently nominated for President, Vice President and Treasurer.

Growlers:
-Our PG Growlers have arrived! If you placed and order, please pick yours up at the meeting.
-If you have not paid, please bring $35 cash or check (made out to Pacific Gravity).
-After November 17th, any remaining growlers that have not been paid for will be released for sale.

Meeting:
-The monthly style is brown ales and porters. Please bring kegs, bottles and growlers to share.
-We’ll be holding the raffle per usual so bring cash for tickets.

See you there.

Saturday November 16th
11am
3938 Glencoe Ave
Venice, CA 90291

September First Friday this Sunday the 8th

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Please join us this Sunday the 8th for our First Friday, (which is technically a second Sunday) at the new Yard House in Marina Del Rey.
We’ll be starting at 2 pm and will have tables set up inside next to the bar.
The Yard House boasts one of the largest tap selections around and they also offer a ‘Chalkboard Series’ of seasonal/rare beers on draft.

For those who haven’t been to this new location, there’s tons of free parking in the garage, which you can enter either on Maxella or Glencoe ave. There is also lots of bike parking in the garage if you’d rather arrive on two wheels.

See you there!

Sunday Sept 8th @ 2pm
The Yard House
13455 Maxella Ave., Suite 150
Marina Del Rey, CA. 90292
http://www.yardhouse.com

It’s Almost Party Time – This Saturday July 20th @ 2pm

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Hi Members,

The Summer Fiesta at Dean’s is just a few days away, here are a few reminders:

-Please have a designated driver or plan on calling a cab

-Bring CASH! This year we will be featuring a silent auction along with our famous raffle that will not disappoint! You’ll need money as well to pay for any guests at $10/each (kids are free)

-We are still in need of Lights, Extension Cords, EZ Ups, Charcoal Grills as well as Folding Tables. If you have any of these items please email me asap at vicepresident@pacificgravity.com

-Bring your own chair as well as hats and sunscreen

See you there,

Noelle

Goose Island Events and Summer Party Planning

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Hi everyone, Happy Friday.    I wanted to let you know about some free events in July that feature some rare Goose Island products.  But first, I want to talk about volunteering for the Summer Party.  There is an organizing meeting on July 11th at Dean’s house.  If you are available to do some of the heavy lifting for the summer party (buying supplies, transporting kegs, renting chairs), we’d appreciate it if you could attend. Email me at president@pacificgravity.com so I can get a headcount since Dean will be providing dinner.  If you can’t make the organizing meeting but would like to help and you didn’t sign up for it at the last club meeting, email me at president@pacificgravity.com and we can work out if you would like to help before during, and/or after the party.  Finally, make sure you mark your calendars for July 20th for the summer party.  And as I announced at the March meeting, unless you have heard otherwise from me your guests must pay $10 to attend the party in order for us to make up the costs.

Now for the Goose Island announcements:

“On Wed., July 10 from 6 – 9 p.m. at Beer Belly, we’ll be tapping a Bourbon County Stout Single Barrel, Bourbon County Stout Coffee (2012) and Bourbon County Stout Cherry, along with The Illinois, Sofie Paradisi, Matilda, Madame Rose (2010) and Juliet (2012). Brewmasters from Goose Island will be in attendance to talk great beer. Beer Belly is located at 532 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020.

Also, on Thur., July 11 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Surly Goat, we’ll be sampling – Bourbon County Stout Single Barrel, Bourbon County Stout Cherry Rye, Bourbon County Stout Coffee (2011), Bourbon County Stout Vanilla (2010), as well as Sofie, Sofie Paradisi, The Illinois, Madame Rose and Night Stalker. Surly Goat is located at 7929 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046. Unfortunately, our brewer will not be around for this event.”

Tustin Monster Brew Final Details

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Monster brew is just around the corner!

We’ll be starting on Saturday bright and early at 6 am.
The wort will pour around noontime and most people will leave around 1 or 1:30

Here are a few things to remember:

-No glass fermenters of any kind please.
-Bring equipment already sanitized and remember a funnel if you have a Better Bottle
-If you haven’t yet paid, bring cash or a check to give to Tim at the event
-Please be good guests and allow only our hosts to pour beer from the taps for us
-Plan on buying lunch, they will open the kitchen at 11am
-Carpool if possible, there is also a back parking lot behind the shopping center which we can use. You can always pull your car around and load fermenters when you are leaving.
Info:

Tustin Brewing Co
www.tustinbrewery.com

13011 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA. 92780
From LA:

Take 405 South
Take 22 East
Take 5 South
Exit at Newport ave and go north (left turn off the exit ramp)
Tustin Brew co will be on your left just after irvine blvd

 

See you there,
Noelle

SoCal Homebrewers Festival – $40 Until March 10

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Due to some website problems, the deadline for purchasing a $40 California Homebrewers Association membership (which you need to get into the festival) has been extended to March 10.  The membership fee increases to $45 on March 11, and to $50 on April 1.

To purchase your membership, go to www.calhomebrewers.org, and click on “Shop”.

Reminder – Sign Up for Tustin Monster Brew Now

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Remember to sign up for the Tustin Monster brew by Thursday, February 28th.  After that, we will open up any remaining slots to other local homebrew clubs.

Please drop an email to me at competitions@PacificGravity.com  and our treasurer Tim Bardet at Treasurer@PacificGravity.com  to reserve your slot.

The cost will be $30 for each 5 gallons of wort.  Everybody will be guaranteed 1 batch, and if mash volume permits, a second batch.

Payment for the event must be done in advance.  Please drop off a check ASAP to  Culver City Homebrew Supply.  Be sure to include your name, telephone number, and E-mail address.    You cannot order wort the day of the event.  Yeast and any additional ingredients you wish to add are not included.  You can bring your yeast to the brewery, or pitch it at home.

For more details about this event, please check my prior article at http://pacificgravity.org/2013/02/tustin-monster-brew-march-9th/

Tustin Monster Brew March 9th

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tustinlogoOn March 9, 2013 the Tustin Brewing Company and its Brewmaster, PG’s Jon Porter, will be hosting their 5th professional style Monster Brew.

PG Brewmaster Carl Townsend and Jon have developed a new base wort for this event. This year we are going for a spelt-based recipe with about 1/3rd spelt malt and a bit of oats.  This will be a great starting point for a spelt-based wheat beer, a Farmhouse ale, Saison or Wit.   For you hop heads, boost up the bitterness with your favorite American hop tea to make an awesome spelt IPA, or darken it up with chocolate malt to make a spelt porter.   Or, use your imagination to make the most awesome beer ever.  Each person will pitch his yeast of choice, add adjuncts to the wort, dry hop in secondary, or do nothing special to it. For some great suggestions, see Carl’s article, How do I modify my Tustin Brew #5?

COST

The cost will be $30 for each 5 gallons of wort.  Everybody will be guaranteed 1 batch, and if mash volume permits, a second batch.  Read more →