SoCal Brewfest – Call for KEGS.

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Greetings, all. As you well know by now, the Brewfest is coming up fast the weekend of April 29th – May 1st. We have 22 taps on our CDS to provide for, plus we need beers for “PG Central” at Owl Court. Some of you have already told me what you’re bringing, but if you haven’t, please email me, the sooner the better, at schbf@pacificgravity.com and let me know. Please provide the name and style of the beer, the volume of the keg, and the ABV if you know it.
Thanks – let’s make 2011 our best fest ever!

A Garten of Beery Delights

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PG is holding our April First Friday at Steingarten LA.

Countering the trend of new tavern openings in Hollywood, downtown L.A. and the Eastside, an excellent new beer bar/restaurant just opened on the Westside, in the previously craft brew-deprived Pico Boulevard corridor in Rancho Park, just west of the 20th Century Fox Studio lot and Century City. Steingarten LA, in the re-designed space formerly occupied by Kay ‘n Dave’s Cantina, had its soft opening in early March (and was packed on opening night, despite only word-of- mouth and foodie bloggery), and will have its official grand opening in early April.

Steingarten LA bartender Lucy Martire and beverage directors Dave Watrous, center, and Luke Wederbrook covet the beer fridge. Photo by Tomm Carroll

Despite its moniker, the gorgeous space is more European-looking than traditional German, although there are some long, communal tables of dark wood. The “steingarten” is the outside area behind the restaurant, nicely tiled and landscaped, with tables, booths and a fire pit. There’s also a retractable skylight/sunroof in the large main room. Many of the menu items are also German-inspired, including the sausages –– Steingarten LA’s specialty –– ranging from the traditional (Bratwurst, Polish) to the exotic (Wild Boar, Bison). Burgers, sandwiches, tapas and salads are also served.

Even though there are some German and German-style beers on the 18-tap draught list and the 40-plus-and-growing bottle list, Belgian and American craft beers dominate. One look at the selection (Ballast Point Victory at Sea, New Belgium’s La Terroir, De Ranke Saison, Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus…) and you can probably guess that the beer guy is the seemingly ubiquitous Dave Watrous –– the Zelig of L.A.’s craft beer scene –– who has worked at almost every great beer bar in this city, and is the co-organizer of the Woodshop series of rare beer events.

Hard liquor is given the same attention as beer at Steingarten LA, as spirits specialist Luke Wederbrook –– who shares the beverage director and bar manager titles with Watrous –– will be rotating seasonal distilled beverages. One interesting, and rare, clear whiskey sampled was Double & Twisted, a 99-proof distilled version of Anderson Valley Brewing’s Hop Ottin’ IPA that was hopped again after distilling (although no hop bitterness was detectable).

Watrous points out that the glass-walled beer and wine cooler (chilled to 55º) behind the dark wood bar will soon have small lockers that patrons can rent to age their beers and wines at cellar temperature. Also, brewery dinners, tastings and beer-education events in the private front room, with a window overlooking the street, will soon become a regular part of the Steingarten LA experience. Prost!

Steingarten LA
10543 Pico Blvd.
West L.A., CA 90064
310-441-0441
SteingartenLA.com

Paypal option for Brewfest camping fees.

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We now have a Paypal option (small fee applies) for payment of your Southern California Homebrew Festival camping fees:

Camping for 2 nights with 4 meals
OR
Camping for 2 nights only – you feed yourself

For more info, please read my January article or check out calhomebrewers.org
Thanks!

REMINDER: SoCal Brewfest camping fees collection

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Greetings, all.  This Thursday the 17th is our next club meeting, and if you’re planning on going to the Brewfest with us but haven’t paid your camping fees yet, the meeting would be a great time to do so.  The festival is just around the corner (less than 7 weeks away!) and your confirmed attendance will help us set our budget and move forward with the “meat” of the planning and organization.  Remember also that your spot isn’t reserved until you’ve paid your fees.

This year we’re offering two camping fee tiers – $50 / person for camping plus 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners, or $25 / person for “camping only”.  With the latter, you’ll need to provide for your own nutritional requirements.  Checks are best (make them payable to Pacific Gravity and write “Ojai Camping” on the memo line), but cash is fine too.

Lake Casitas will be charging $60 per car to park for the weekend, so if you’d like to carpool, please try to coordinate that at the meeting – the signup sheet already shows some folks doing it and others who would like to.  Talk it up!

Finally – if you haven’t yet brewed for the festival, you can still sneak in a lower-gravity beer in time if you do it soon (perhaps an entry for the BRO competition – Session Ales).

For more info, follow this link to my January article and please disregard the “volunteer” information, as that is now closed.

Thanks again for your support.  See youse Thursday – and please feel free to ask myself or any of the other past attendees about the fest.

— Victor Macias

SCHF Organizer, 2011

 

April Prezadent’s Mess(age)

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April Prezadent’s Mess(age)

Michael Steinberg

At this writing, Daylight Saving has begun, giving us all more time to brew. Spring is nigh, and PG has had a very successful Monster Brew at the Tustin Brewery, thanks to Jon and Jason. As the year progresses, we have a number of exciting events coming up.  So, here goes:

Some of you may have heard that St. Patrick’s Day will be held on the same day as our monthly Pacific Gravity meeting Thursday, March 17. As in the past, I’ll be cooking up a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner which will be served starting at 6:30 (donation to help defray the cost are welcome). The Styles of the Month are Stouts (duh!), and Bocks (March AHA Club Only Competition style). If you have a Stout, bring it to share. Bottles or kegs are equally appreciated. Bocks brought for the AHA COC will be judged on site. Winner goes to the AHA COC, all fees paid for by Pacific Gravity.

On March 26 we’ll be going on our first O.C. Road Trip, thanks to the efforts of Road Trip Coordinator, Kurt Periolat. TAPS Fishouse and Brewery, and The Bruery will welcome us and our friends for a day of eating and drinking a number of their award winning beers. There are still a few seats available on the bus if you want to go. Price is $20, a small price to pay in order to avoid a DUI. See Kurt’s articles for details.

A few members have reported that  there’s a new saloon on the Westside, Steingarten. Located at 10543 Pico Blvd, in the Rancho Park area, Steingarten  boasts 20 taps, and a variety of sausage, as well as other bar food. We’ll be going there on April 1st for First Friday. See the Activities article for additional information.

Last, but not least, the Southern California Homebrew Festival will be held on Saturday, April 30. The camping gang will be headed up to Ojai on Friday (4/29), for a weekend of fun, frolic, drinking, and for some, debauchery.  There is room for a total of 40-45 people, so make you reservations soon, before all the slots are taken. This event is a MUST, if you enjoy camping, food and beer. Read Vic Macias’ articles for info, or talk to him at the March meeting if you have questions.  Cost is $25/person if you bring your own food, or $50, if you want 4 meals. Look for more details from Vic, as they develop. 

March is Annual Dues month, so don’t forget to ante up the $30 for your membership. All club events are supported by you, and we need members to pay their dues in a timely fashion, in order to keep putting on events. Treasurer, Craig Corley will gladly accept your payments at the March Meeting.

Lastly, if you have any suggestions, questions, or gripes, please feel free to send an E-mail to the appropriate Board Member. We need feedback in order to keep things moving forward.

Have a beery April. See you all real soon.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY-MARCH 17th

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HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY-MARCH 17

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day the Pacific Gravity Homebrew Club will be celebrating the event by holding its monthly club meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month.

“Oh”, you say. “Isn’t the meeting always on the third Thursday of the month?” Well, yes it is, boys and girls. But since it’s March, and Stouts along with BJCP Category  5-Bocks are our styles of the month, we’ll be celebrating Patrick’s life and good works at the meeting.

Those of the Roman persuasion can also celebrate the day of another great man’s death, Julius Caesar “Beware the Ides of March [15]”. No orgies, please, and leave your daggers at home. Church keys are permitted, however.

As usual, this humble leprechaun will be cooking our annual corned beef and cabbage meal, to be served on site, beginning at 6:30pm. There is no charge for the meal, but donations to defray the cost are more than welcome.  The official meeting will begin at 7:30.

We will need beverages for the meeting, so anyone who has a stout waiting to be drunk by an appreciative PG membership is urged to bring it. The more we have, the better the meeting. As we do every month, the beer judged the best, or at least, most popular, will bring the winner a $25 CCHBS gift certificate. Commercial tasting will follow announcements. Commercial tasting will follow the announcements.

If anyone has brewed a Bock, please bring it for onsite judging. The winner of the judging will have the beer entered in the AHA Club Only Competition. PG will pay for the entry and shipping.

We will also be accepting payment of annual club dues ($30), and collecting money for the March 26 O.C. Road Trip to TAPS, and The Bruery on March 26. Seats are going fast, so sign up and pay up soon.

See you all on the 17th.

ERIN GO BRAGH!

PG Meeting, February 17

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The February PG Monthly Meeting will feature Belgian and French Ales, so eat a good dinner before arrving, in order to soak up this month’s Magic Elixer. PG Treasurer, Craig Corley, will be hosting the commercial tasting, and he’ll have some fine examples of the styles.

As usual, anyone who brings a keg of Belgian or French Style Brew will be in the running for a $25 CCHBS gift certificate if his/her beer is chosen the Best of the Night.

This month’s announcements will be made by Vice President, Reed Wilson.

Raffle Tickets can be purchased from Terry Molloy, the Raffle Guy, and Fundraiser.

We always need raffle prizes, so if you have any used equipment you want to donate, it is much appreciated. Glasses, “excess” commercial beers in the monthly style,  and gift certificates, are always appreciated.

IMPORTANT NEWS: We still have space for the upcoming Tustin Monster Brew which will be held on February 26 at the Tustin Brewery. See the postings on the PG Website for details, or speak to Reed or  PG Brewmaster, Carl Townsend,  about the details. Signup sheets will be available, but more importantly, you must pay for the wort. This can be done at the meeting by check (preferable), or cash. See Craig Corley if you are going to pay at the meeting. PayPal is also available, and a lot easier than in person for most of us. The price is $27/5 gallon pour, limit 2 pours ($54). The deadline for payment is February 24th, unless there are extenuating circumstances. The organizers DO NOT want to be scrambling to collect money at the event, if all possible.

ROAD TRIP MARCH 26: See Kurt Periolat’s article about the O.C. Road Trip to TAPS, and The Bruery.

If you have questions, talk to Kurt, or send an E-mail to him.

Lastly, don’t forget to BREW, BREW, BREW. We have a lot of events coming up this year, and will need lots of homebrew to serve (Southern California Homebrew Festival, AHA Conference in San Diego, PG Summer Party, and entries for the Pacific Brewer’s Cup, which we are hosting. Stay tuned for details on those events.

Sorry I won’t be at the February meeting, but I hope you all have a great, and sober, time.

Michael Steinberg, President

Monster Brew 2011 @ Tustin Brewing Co.

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On February 26, 2011 the Tustin Brewing Company and its Brewmaster, PG’s Jon Porter, will be hosting their 3rd professional style Monster Brew.

PG Brewmaster Carl Townsend and Jon have developed a new base wort for this event. The basic idea is to brew a fairly strong wort. Target OG is 1.067, putting it in the Bock range as well as other styles such as Dubbel, IPA, Saison and many others. 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 wort from the Monster Brew at Tustin Brewing?

COST

The cost will be $27 for each 5 gallons of wort, or $28.12 including PayPal fees, with the option of buying 1 or 2 batches.

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.

Payment for the event must be done in advance.  You can reserve you spot now by paying through PayPal, or by dropping by Culver City Homebrew Supply.  Be sure to include your name, telephone number, and E-mail address.

Your last chance to reserve your spot will be at the Feb. 17 PG Meeting.

You MUST be present at the event to get your wort. No friends will be allowed to pick up wort for you!

If you have paid in advance, but find you cannot attend, 24 hour notice must be given in order to obtain a refund. On event day, all monies collected will be given to Tustin Brewing. Such notice may be sent to Pacific Gravity Treasurer, Craig Corley or Vice President, Reed Wilson.

Some of us may want to purchase more than 10 gallons. Initially, ONLY 5 – 10 gallons may be purchased. However, if there is wort left over at the end we will hold a lottery to determine who may get an additional 5 gallon allotment. Bring an extra fermenter if you are interested.

Don’t forget to bring a sanitized fermenter for each 5 gallons you buy!

FERMENTERS

Fermenters MUST be either plastic or stainless steel. Absolutely no glass fermenters will be allowed in the brewery due to the danger of breakage on the tile floor. You may bring small glass vessels with yeast or other additions, however.

We will have extra plastic fermenters and airlocks available for on-site purchase.

If you think you may need one, please contact Carl Townsend or Reed Wilson so that we can get a count. (see contact info below)

TIME

The event will be starting EARLY, at 6AM. If that is too early, you may show up by 12 noon and still get your pre-purchased wort. Of course, you’ll not get to take part in the actual brewing. Projected ending time will be between 1-2 PM.

Other clubs will be invited to participate, including the Long Beach Home Brewers, but the organizers hope that Pacific Gravity members make up the bulk of the brewers.

FOOD

Tustin Brewing will have coffee, bagels, pastries, etc. for breakfast, and we will buy our own lunches towards the end of the brewing session. In addition, there is a Trader Joe’s nearby, and an early opening restaurant where you can get breakfast if you wish.

Tustin Brewing’s kitchen opens for lunch at 11am.

In addition Jon will be supplying tasting samples of some of his fine brews during the morning. Cut off time for free pours will be 11am. After that, it will be available for purchase.

TRAVEL

We will be carpooling down to Tustin. The trip is about 45 minutes at the early hour we’ll be traveling. If there is much return traffic, those who pitch yeast at Tustin may have a finished beer by the time they get home.

Contacts:

Jon Porter, Brewmaster, Tustin Brewing Company
PG Activities Directors, Mimi Bardet & Audrey Hill-Lindsay

competitioncoordinator@pacificgravity.com (Carl)
vicepresident@pacificgravity.com (Reed)
president@pacificgravity.com (Michael S.)
treasurer@pacificgravity.com (Craig)

Reserve Your Wort Now!

How do I modify my wort from the Monster Brew at Tustin Brewing?

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This Month’s Question:  Tustin Brewing CompanyHow do I modify my wort from the Monster Brew at Tustin Brewing?

Answer:

I hope you are all planning to join us at Tustin Brewing’s Third Annual Monster Brew, Saturday, February 26th, 2011 from 6 am to 2 pm hosted by our very own Jon Porter.  We’ll be brewing up a batch of high-gravity pale wort.  Where it goes from there is up to you!  We’re hoping to have as many variations on the theme as possible for upcoming events such as the Southern California Homebrew Fest, the American Homebrewers Conference, club meetings and other beer venues.

The recipe for the wort is shown below.  As formulated,

Read more →

President’s Message: State of the Club

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As we begin 2011, the state of the Pacific Gravity Homebrew Club is strong. We have already begun to get the ball rolling on upcoming events, and are locked in to our first two big ones for the year.

Tustin Monster Brew

February 26 we’ll be celebrating our 16th  anniversary by going back to the Tustin Brewery for another edition of our enormously successful Monster Brews. P.G. Brewmaster Carl Townsend, and Tustin’s Brewer extraordinaire, Jon Porter have come up with a new recipe for us to brew, doctor at home with specialty grains, adjuncts and yeast. In the past many of us have produced outstanding beers from the base recipes, and this year promises to be no exception. Carl has written an Ask the Brewmaster article outlining the possibilities for this year’s moderately high gravity wort. For reservations, contact Reed Wilson at VicePresident@PacificGravity.com or Mimi Bardet and Audrey Hill-Lindsay at ActivitiesDirector@PacificGravity.com . Cost is $27 per 5 gallon pour, 10 gallons maximum. See the articles detailing the event and make your reservations soon.

Tustin Brewing Company

On March 26 we’ll be going on a Road Trip to Orange County

Road Trip Coordinator, Kurt Periolat, has lined up TAPS  Fish House & Brewery in Brea, and The Bruery. TAPS is a GABF multiple prize winning brewpub with an outstanding lineup, ranging from British Session Ales, to German Lagers, with stops in the U.S. and Belgium. The Bruery is one of the fastest growing and popular new breweries around, and will have something special for us.   For reservations to this event send an E-mail to RoadTripCoordinator@PacificGravity.com or ActivitiesDirector@PacificGravity.com, and prepay through PayPal.

First Friday at Bar Food

As usual, First Friday is coming up (Feb 4th at Bar Food), and our February 17th meeting  will  feature  Belgian and French Ales; tasting to be hosted by Craig Corley, our club treasurer. Bring beer to share, and money or checks, to pay for the road trip and/ or Monster Brew. Don’t forget, PayPal will also be available for payment to the 2 events (UPDATE: Click the links to pay for the OC Road Trip on PayPal, or for 5 Gallons of wort at the Monster Brew).  See the articles detailing these events for more information.

Feedback Welcome

If you have any questions, suggestions, or criticisms don’t hesitate to send a message to me at President@PacificGravity.com Suggestions for events, or ideas for club projects are always welcome. If you are interested in volunteering to help out with club activities, don’t hesitate to ask me, or any of the other Board members.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.