Ah, winter in Arizona. While the rest of the country is battling record cold, forecasts show 89 degrees for the Strong Beer Festival this weekend. It's a big difference from the first Strong Beer Festival I volunteered at. It was the first ASH event I attended and it was so cold and rainy. Still, I met a lot of great ASH members that day as we tried to stay warm and dry. I knew right then that I would enjoy being a member of this club.

 

If this Strong Beer Fest is your first time volunteering with the ASH-ional Guard, I'm sure you'll have a great experience just as I did. I would like to thank all our volunteers. Your hard work makes the festival experience better for both attendees and participating breweries. It also helps strengthens our position as the premier volunteer force for beer festivals because we are knowledge, passionate brewers and patrons of craft beer.

 

Not only are we the best festival staff in the state, we are also the best competition and judging force. Did you know ASH is hosting the Strong Beer Competition? We have asked every brewery in Arizona to send their best strong beer. Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place live at the festival.

 

These days, Strong Beer is now the kick off to Arizona Beer Week. On Sunday, the celebrations continue - not just for our breweries, but for ASH. We turn 19 on Sunday, and everyone gets to make the difficult choice of what Beer Week events to attend. Maybe you're planning on going to an annual event, visiting your favorite bar, or choosing to try a new place for encouragement and support of its craft beer events. I'm personally looking forward to the many beer education events. I'm glad to see the number of educational events triple from last year! Whatever you decide, I know we will all be great craft beer and homebrewing ambassadors. Please thank our supporters and discount providers when you see them.

 

Of course at ASH, Beer Week Ends When We Say It Ends! Our annual brewout extends Beer Week with one extra day on the following Sunday. Come down and brew a quick batch for Springfest or just to restock your supplies. 

 

After the brewout, get some rest. March is just as ASH-packed with happy hours, judging for Springfest, our March meeting (get ready to learn about yeast), the Great American BBQ & Beer Festival, and then Springfest itself.

 

Until then... Happy Birthday ASH and have a great Beer Week everyone!

 

From Dennis Mitchell

The first President and VP Happy Hours at Papago and Flanny's were awesome! Thanks to everyone who showed up to grab a pint or two. 

 

In addition to providing club members a more informal time to gather, drink and talk beer, these happy hours also let us visit our sponsors and continue to build positive relationships between ASH and our awesome local beer community. If we continue to consistently get crowds of 15-20 members at happy hours, it won't be long before everyone will ask "When is ASH happy hour coming to our place?"

 

Continue to block off your Tuesday nights for ASH. Here is what is on tap for the next month:

 

The next President's Happy Hour is the Tuesday after beer week, Feb. 25th. Join Krystal at Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe. After all the indulgence during beer week, you might need a strong cup of coffee... or a coffee beer! Cartel recently started offering an ASH discount and they will give tours of their shiny new brewhouse.

 

The following Tuesday, March 4th, will be the monthly board meeting. This month the board will be at The Hungry Monk in Chandler and everyone is invited to attend.

 

The next VP's Happy Hour will be on March 11th at the newly opened Perch in downtown Chandler. Come say hi to King James Swan and ASH member turned pro brewer Andrew Bauman to wish them luck on their new venture.

 

More happy hour details are on the happy hour web page.

ASH participates in Arizona Beer Week as actively as any brewery or craft beer bar. This year we have even more events for our members and for the public. Here's a quick listing of what's going on. You can also find more details on our website.

Beer Hunter, The Movie

Sunday, February 16

6-10 pm

Brat Haus * Scottsdale

 

ASH presents Beer Hunter The Movie, the story of Michael Jackson, a renowned beer and whiskey writer. Four Peaks beers will be featured, and will include the following drafts: Double Knot - Double IPA, Cask Conditioned Dry Hopped RAJ IPA, AZ Collaboration Weizenbock, and NITRO Oatmeal Stout. All Four Peaks cans will be on special for $3. 

 

Four Peaks head brewer Jim Roper and Brat Haus Certified Cicerone Ben Schwirck will be on hand as will ASH President Krystal Bittner. Beers will be tapped at 7pm and the film starts at 8pm.

 

Hot Scotchy Night

Mo nday, February 17

6-8 pm

The Hungry Monk * Chandler

 

Enter the secret world of the brewer with a cocktail whose origins remain shrouded in mystery. The Hot Scotchy is among the rarest of drinks and sold only during Arizona Beer Week. In past years, fans have packed The Hungry Monk to get a sip of the Hot Scotchy. This year ASH is bringing it back bigger and better. ASH's At-Large Board Member John Randall will be preparing the wort and answering questions about the brewing process.

 

ASH Brewout: Beer Week Ends When We Say It Ends

Sunday, February 24

9 am - 2 pm

Brewers Connection * Tempe

 

This brewout is the unofficial end of Arizona Beer Week and is open to the public. Homebrewers have a time-honored tradition of breaking the rules and being unconventional, so we are hijacking beer week and extending it for an extra day. ASH members will be replenishing their homebrew supplies and preparing beers for competitions. The public is welcome to join in brewing or just joining the fun and learning about the process.  For those interested in learning about all-grain brewing or just starting out, this is an excellent way to get up to speed.

 

Sunday, February 16

11 am - noon

Boulders on Broadway * Tempe

Boulders says Thank You to ASH Members with an exclusive first hour and special entry price to its popular Beer Fest. This festival includes even more exclusive and rare beers from Strong Beer Festival breweries. It's a sell out every year, and this opportunity to have the first sips is a luxury indeed. Be sure to thank Boulders for their support of ASH while you enjoy the rewards of membership.

Thursday, February 20

6-9pm

San Tan Brewing * Chandler

The AHA is celebrating Arizona Beer Week with a rally for its members. Note, you will also need to be an AHA member to attend this event, but you can sign up from the ASH website. Look for the link on our homepage.

Homebrewers are invited to bring their own beer to share, enjoy appetizers from San Tan, meet brewers, win prizes and join Q & A sessions.

There is no General Meeting in February. Enjoy Arizona Beer Week!

Our next General Meeting will be Tuesday, March 18. We will have a presentation on yeast propagation and updates for March events.