If You Want It Done Right You Have To Brew It Yourself! Since 2004

Jerry, Ryan, Rocky and Jon brewed a Blonde Ale, Cream Ale and Raspberry Wheat at Hawk’s Point on Friday the 13th.

Present: Jerry Ford, Ryan Jilek, Rocky Stoltz, Heath Braun, Paul Ellerkamp, Alan Church, Michael Kreitinger, Chip Ford and Jon Stika. Ryan reported on and the group discussed the upcoming Blues and Brews event scheduled for June 2, 2012 at the Badland Activity Center in Dickinson.  Several club members plan to bring beer to the event.  April 13th was tentatively set as the date for club members to assist with brewing of beers for Hawk’s Point Read more…

Present: Jerry Ford, Rocky Stoltz, Paul Ellerkamp, Ryan Jilek, Michael Kreitinger, Jeremiah Thorpe, Heath Braun and Jon Stika. Discussed upcoming Brews and Blues event at Hawk’s Point.  Event is scheduled for June 2, 2012.  First choice location is the Badlands Activity Center, second choice the Dickinson Recreation Center.  250 tickets will be sold at $30 each or 4 for $100.  Food is planned to be supplied by local caterers.  Goal is to have 20 home-brewed Read more…

The Best of the Best in Wheat and Barley Research Tuesday, February 7, 2012 Ramada Grand Dakota Lodge, Dickinson, ND Alberto Jimenez-Diaz & Karen Hertzgard, assisted by Jerry Ford and Jon Stika gave a presentation on barley quality, malt production, wort production and making malt at home. In the malting of barley, more protein slows water uptake and germination.  6-row barley contains more amylase enzymes, while 2-row barley has a greater starch content.  Starch must Read more…

Present: Dale Sattler, Rocky Stoltz, Michael Kreitinger, Alan Church, Doug Fettig, Jerry Ford, Ryan Jilek, Jeremiah Thorpe, Paul Ellerkamp and Jon Stika. No beer of the month.  Elections for President and Secretary were held.  Jon nominated Jerry for the position of President.  Ryan moved that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Jerry, seconded by Rocky, motion passed.  Ryan nominated Jon for the position of Secretary.  Ryan moved that nominations cease and a Read more…

Present: Jerry Ford, Alan Church, Craig Tessier, Ryan Jilek, Jeremiah Thorpe, Michael Kreitinger and Jon Stika. Beer of the Month from Town & Country Liquors was LaBatt Blue Light Lime.  Blue Light Lime was a very clear straw color with a very prominent lime aroma.  The beer had a flavor of lime and candy-like fruitiness reminiscent of Necco wafers & Dots with a slightly malty dry finish. Discussed the invitation from the Institute of Barley Read more…

Hopunion does hop and beer testing for affordable rates in case anyone is interested in having some homegrown hops tested for alpha acid or beer tested for bitterness, etc.  The only drawback I see is they require a 7 ounce sample of hops to do the alpha acid test.  Check it out at: http://www.hopunion.com/27_HopTesting.cfm?p5=open

In the December 2011 issue of Brew Your Own, Brooklyn Brewmaster Garrett Oliver points out that; “… lots of homebrewers don’t begin with nearly enough of a healthy population of yeast to properly start fermentation.  And when the yeast is struggling, it gives off a lot of estery [fruity] profiles, which is a common flaw in homebrews.  I would say that the number one fault in homebrews is poor fermentation…”  The article mentions that Oliver has Read more…

Present: Jeremiah Thorpe, Craig Tessier, Doug Fettig, Ryan Jilek, Jerry Ford, Rocky Stoltz, Paul Ellerkamp and Jon Stika. Several beers, one cider, one mead and one wine were brought and shared at the meeting.  Several beers were judged and the brewers were given the score sheets and feedback on how to improve on their brewing techniques.  Yeast starters and measurement of original gravity were discussed.  Craig Tessier and Doug Fettig paid 2012 dues of $25 Read more…