June 2013 Hot Break

Greetings!

Just because we aren't all in school, doesn't mean we don't get summer vacation. This June, it seems many of our members are on the road. Whether we are staycationing in Arizona, visiting the beaches of San Diego or representing ASH at NHC Philadelphia, we always pack along our passion for beer.

Our vacations may not be beer-centric trips, but even by sipping a brew in the local pub it is an opportunity to experience the culture of the town or country we're in. Different perspectives are always a chance to get ideas - for our own recipes, our own events, and our own beer culture.

So enjoy your time off, raise that glass, and don't forget to take some notes.

Salute!
Angela (@girlfromarizona)

From the President

By Rob Fullmer

Well I've a fine job, a warm hearth, a good wife

But one pint of porter, makes perfect my life,

I don't drink any more,

I don't drink any less,

Here is a secret that I must confess,

After one pint of porter I don't count all the rest.

--The Kerry Boys

I've used this space in the Hot Break often to rally the field for an important cause or to encourage volunteers for an event. Sometimes I'll try and layout the big picture for what's ahead for ASH. (Have I ever not talked about our fundraising efforts for the warehouse?) This month I'd just like you all to have fun and find some balance in your lives.

I can see by some of your social media status updates that many of you are taking to the beaches of San Diego or travelling back to where you grew up. Brenda and I will be headed to Rome right after our June General Meeting and then legging it back to Philadelphia for the NHC. We've closed on a house in Tempe and that's where the song at the top comes in. It will be nice to be closer to club functions and the rest of the beer world. It's going to be crazy for us for a time until we get the Tempe (brew)house settled in.

As you may have heard, we've had a position turn over in the Board. You can read about it below. Following our Club Charter, the Board chose Krystal Bittner to step in. I can't tell you how thrilled I was when she decided to accept. I know that she's got a lot on her plate professionally and she already does quite a bit for the club. We've got a great crew of people on the board and those that head up committees. I want to thank every one of you volunteers too!

But if you lose your balance. It's OK to step back. We want you to have fun. Enjoy yourselves this summer.

�Salud!

Rob Fullmer
President, ASH

VP James Swan Steps Down

Krystal Bittner Appointed to Replace

Our ASH Vice President James Swan made the following request and announcement to resign his position last month. President Rob Fullmer and the board regretfully accepted. At the Board Meeting on June 4, it appointed Krystal Bittner as the new ASH Vice President.

For the record, here is James' resignation request and Rob's response.

____________________________

Good Afternoon ASH Board and Members,

It is with heavy heart that I must ask your permission to resign my post as Vice President of the Arizona Society of Homebrewers. I asked for this position with the best of intentions but have found it increasingly difficult to balance the required time with work and other responsibilities.

I would ask that Krystal Bittner (should she have an interest) be given the opportunity to take the position. I have an immense amount of respect for her and her dedication to the craft of Home Brewing and frankly can't imagine a better fit.

I LOVE this club, its members and its mission. Moving forward I will assist in every way possible and with anything deemed appropriate by the board but feel that it's time to hand this position over to a person with more time to pledge to the cause. Thank you for your faith in me and for allowing me to serve you up to this point.

Cheers, James Swann

____________________________

On behalf of the Board of Directors and as officeholder of the Presidency, I accept your resignation from office with regret and sadness.

In accordance of the by-laws we will seek a board approved replacement and take your recommendation with the strongest of consideration.

As I mentioned yesterday in the open letter, recent events should compel us to ask ourselves about the best use of our time. Family, Friends and the ability to support oneself comes first.

We hope that your decision allows you to fulfil those things that are dear to you and that you will find the time to participate in ASH in a manner that is on your timeline and at your leisure.

Your Friend,

Rob Fullmer

President

ASH

From the Judges Table
Matt Brown

Before I start talking about the competitions that are coming up, I think it's worth talking a little about participation.

I can be as bad as anybody about not brewing for HBOY or other smaller competitions, so I'm not going to point fingers. I am not going to complain that there was only one entry in last month's HBOY competition either. Instead, what I'm going to do is ask some questions.

What would make people participate more in our competitions? I blame myself for the lack of participation in last month's, as I announced the prize (

a day brewing Twin Arrows Brown Ale with the amazing people at Mother Road Brewing in Flagstaff) really late. But is a cool prize going to make that big a difference? The new points system doesn't seem to be helping either.

What would it take? Unusual styles?

If you have an idea, let me know. You can send me an email or tell me in person if you prefer, but I have also started a thread on the website to discuss what will get us brewing. It was pretty crazy seeing how clubs that are smaller than us absolutely dominated at NHC. I know many of you make phenomenal beer. What will it take for you to start entering it in some competitions?

Homebrewer of the Year

To make up for delayed announcement about last month's competition, I am letting you know right now that November's prize will be a day brewing an IPA with an area brewery. I promise I will have all the details next month, and I will cross my fingers about participation and register the competition with the BJCP as well. I know you all have a good IPA recipe.

Here are the remaining HBOY deadlines:

6/18 - Fruit Beer

7/16 - Pilsner

8/20 - European Amber Lager

10/15 - Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer

11/19 - IPA

12/13 - Light Lager

I am really hoping we have good participation this month too, as I know many of you brew great fruit beers. Why not enter them? You only stand to lose one measly little bottle. The rules are posted here.

Salt River Fields Oktoberfest / ASH Oktoberfest

No changes here, so everything in October is still going ahead as planned. Here are the dates:

10/4 - ASH Oktoberfest Entry Deadline

10/5 - ASH Oktoberfest Judging

10/6 - ASH Oktoberfest Judging (if necessary)

10/11 - Salt River's Oktoberfest Entry Deadline

10/12 - Salt River's Oktoberfest Judging

10/19 - ASH Oktoberfest

We need as many judges as possible, so please keep 10/5, 10/6, and 10/12 free!

BJCP Class

The BJCP class is underway and meeting Monday nights at 7pm. Like before, if you want to attend, it is not too late - you'd still get to learn about over half of the beer styles! You can join the group here, and then you will need to RSVP for each class in the discussion forum. It is open to all paid ASH members, and a class fee of $5 covers the cost of the commercial examples you will get to try.

Springfest Competition

We are going to have a big Springfest competition in early 2014. Interested in helping? Join the competition committee here if you want to be involved. Our next meeting will be near the end of the month. Details TBD.

The Perks of Being a Volunteer

Volunteer Rewards Include Pro-Am Brewing, Prizes, More

volunteer perks

Patty Van West and Dave from O.H.S.O finish the mash on Patty's IPA. Photo courtesy of Jerry Van West.

Volunteers for ASH are reaping the rewards for their hard work. In addition to free attendance to some of the best local beer festivals, they also get prizes like hard to find beers and commemorative posters. Now, our local bars and breweries are saying thank you as well.

In May and June, six ASHional Guard Volunteers were selected to brew with O.H.S.O. on its IPA project. Each created an IPA that will be put onto the OHSO taps when ready. The best IPA of the bunch may even be reserved for the restaurant's IPA Day festivities on August 2.

Thank you O.H.S.O. for giving some of our members this experience. For others who are interested in the perks of volunteering, save the dates for our next opportunities. Kat has all the details in the next article.

The Volunteer Corner
Kat Morrill
Your Friendly ASH Volunteer Coordinator

Summer has finally arrived in Phoenix. For most of the country that means the beer festivals are just starting. For us Phoenicians, though, that means a break for a few months. I like to think of it as a breather before the festivals start again in the fall. Even as the summer ramps up, ASH will start planning for festivals in the fall. Please save the date to help volunteer for the festivals listed below.

SanTan OktoberFest - September 28, 2013

ASH OktoberFest - October 19, 2013

Go ASH-ional Guard!

May Recap

There was no calibration beer this month. President Rob Fullmer shared the news of the passing of Greg Fretz of Phoenix Ale Brewery and raised a toast in his memory.

Rob provided an update on our earnings for volunteering for the Chandler BBQ Festival. Earnings from AmeriCAN Fest will come soon.

Member Keith Morris gave a detailed and informative presentation on the history and brewing process of cask ales. He also brought his own cask pumps in for demonstration. Rob reminded the group that ASH has two cask pins available for members to use if they would like to try this style of brewing.

June General Meeting

Tuesday, June 18, 7pm - 9pm
ASH Clubhouse (Rose Market Storefront
2515 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ

This month, members Keevin Simpson, Todd Vorce and Krystal Bittner will have a panel discussion on Alternative Ingredients and Fermintation.

Bring your homebrew to share. If this is your first meeting, you're still welcome to bring your beer. We have a reach in cooler in the back where your homebrew goes. Make yourself at home, place your beer on the shelf and help yourself to other members' beers. If you do not have a tasting cup, we have extras next to the cooler.

HBOY entries are due at this meeting for Fruit Beer beers. Submit entries to Matt Brown or Krystal Bittner.

The ASH Hot Break is distributed every month to our members and friends. If you stumbled upon this issue through Facebook or Twitter, take a minute to join our website, azhomebrewers.org, so you can get our newsletters and updates in your email. (There might even be some secret events and deals announced as well).

We're always looking for reader input. If you're excited about a new project, teaching others how to brew, hosting a homebrew event, or have anything else you'd like to mention on Hot Break, email [email protected]. We want to see stories and photos from our members.

We'll see you at the General Meeting. Till then brew on.

Prost!

Angela

Your Club Board Members

President - Rob Fullmer

Vice President - Krystal Bittner

Secretary - Laura Kuning

Treasurer - Christian Chandler

Communication - Angela Muniz

Member at Large - John Rudolph

Member at Large - Ben Conner

Arizona Society of Homebrewers