HRHB meeting minutes – May 22, 2008 Custom Data Dickinson, ND
Present: Paul Ellerkamp, Dale Sattler, Dennis Froemke, Ryan Jilek, Rocky Stoltz (at 9PM) and Jon Stika.
President Ellerkamp called the meeting to order at 7:40PM. Motion to change the starting time of regular monthly meetings from 7:30PM to 6:30PM that was tabled at the last meeting was discussed. Sattler called for a vote on the motion and the motion passed. Starting with the June 2008 meeting, the regularly scheduled monthly meeting will begin at 6:30PM.
Beer of the month from Town & Country Liquors – Rogue Mocha Porter. Following is the evaluation: Malty-roasty aroma. Flavor was complex with sweetness up front, good hop flavor in the middle, with a slightly dry cocoa/coffee finish. A very late hop flavor, but not as hoppy or dry as a Stout. Nice head formation and retention.
Ellerkamp reported that the lagering box built by Stika from plywood and an old water cooler from Jilek had stopped running and was most likely beyond repair. Jilek suggested that the insulated box could be connected to an existing refrigerator to cool it and it could still be used for the intended purpose.
The summer picnic was briefly discussed but no action taken.
The idea of a requirement for membership in the HRHB club was brought up by Jilek and briefly discussed by the group. Jilek suggested that to be considered a member in good standing, each member should be required to brew a batch of beer or wine at least once a year, and share it with the membership present at a regularly scheduled meeting. No motion was made on this topic.
Stika brought some Avery White Rascal Belgian Wit beer. Ellerkamp brought some; Hoegaarden Wit, homebrewed Grand Cru and Belgian Wit (Patersbier kit) and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine. Sattler brought some chokecherry wine.
The Avery White Rascal was very yeasty and spicy and generally not well received by the group. The Hoegaarden Wit was excellent. The Grand Cru was only slightly carbonated as it had not had much time to condition but was otherwise judged to be very good and would be even better once carbonation and conditioning is complete. The Patersbier Belgian Wit was good but had a very pronounced butterscotch (diacetyl) flavor. The diacetyl was not offensive, but more pronounced than typical for the style. Ellerkamp reported he had problems with the yeast initiating fermentation and it was theorized that perhaps the yeast finished weakly and did not appreciably reduce the diacetyl in the secondary fermentation. The Bigfoot Barleywine was a VERY INTENSE beer. Huge malt, hops and alcohol flavors were almost overpowering. Definitely a beer that must be sipped! The chokecherry wine had excellent color, body, and flavor and was well balanced between sweet and dry.
Jilek suggested a flyer of our beer-of-the-month evaluation could be published and provided to Town & Country to promote their beers. No formal action was taken on this issue.
Motion by Jilek seconded by Stika to adjourn. Motion passed, meeting adjourned.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Heart River Home Brewers will be on June 26, 2008 at 6:30PM at Custom Data.
Respectfully,
Jon Stika
Secretary
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