Club Meeting Notes - September 18th, 2018

[WillL]

Fantastic meeting with 22 people in attendance. As always, a BIG thank you to Scott at Windsor Homebrew Supply for hosting! And thank you to Hussam for bringing his delicious pretzels!

Big Beer Competition
The beer competition between us and the OC Mash Ups is coming up, so get to brewin'! If you are interested in judging, message or email Curtis. Michael made a great post HERE on the available styles that fall into the big beer category.

Important Dates:
October 17th: Entries must be entered in our Online Form.
November 5th to November 16th: Entries to be dropped off at Barley Forge, Windsor Homebrew Supply, or Brewers Hardware.
Nov 17th: Judging will take place.
First week of December: Winner will be announced!

Holiday Party
It's not quite time for Christmas music, but we need to start preparing for our holiday party! Every year, a generous member of the club opens up their home for our holiday party. It was brought up that we don't necessarily have to have it as someone's home and we could try and find a public place if the price is reasonable. If anyone has any suggestions or is willing to open up their home for the party, message Curtis. The holiday party is a great time to share beer and hang out with the club. This year we will be giving out a few club awards as well.

Club Brew Day
Tim S (Megastout) is hosting our September club brew day this Saturday the 22nd. Club brew days are a great way to see how other people brew and get feedback. Tim has a thread up, so if you are interested in going let him know HERE.

October Off-Month Confab Meeting
The October 2018 meeting will be held at riip Beer Company in Huntington Beach on Thursday, October 18th at 7:00 PM. Vote HERE if you plan on attending.

Barrel Project
Discussion of doing a new barrel project was brought up and everyone seemed very interested. Maltbarley brought some examples from previous years, and they were fantastic! Curtis has a new post up HERE with information and to have a discussion about what style we should do.

Brew Brawl
Awesome turnout with 14 entries.
Blonde: Curtis
Cream Ale: Brian
Brown: Brian
Marzen: Jim R
IPA: Jim W
Date Mead: Hussam
Pomegranate Mead: Hussam
Saison: Kyle
Marzen: Michael
Schwarzbier: Jim W
Pale Ale: Hussam
IPA: Greg
RIS: Brent
Old Ale: Scott

1st: Greg's IPA
2nd: Brent's RIS
3rd: Scott's Old Ale

Congrats to the winners and thank you all for bringing beer!

Style Presentation
Category 25. Strong Belgian Ale
25B. Saison

Appearance
Pale versions are often a distinctive pale orange but may be pale golden to amber in color (gold to amber-gold is most common). Darker versions may run from copper to dark brown. Long-lasting, dense, rocky white to ivory head resulting in characteristic Belgian lace on the glass as it fades. Clarity is poor to good, though haze is not unexpected in this type of unfiltered beer.

Aroma
Quite aromatic, with fruity, spicy, and hoppy characteristics evident. The esters can be fairly high (moderate to high), and are often reminiscent of citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons. The hops are low to moderate and are often spicy, floral, earthy, or fruity.

Flavor
Medium-low to medium-high fruity and spicy flavors, supported by a low to medium soft malt character, often with some grainy flavors. Bitterness is typically moderate to high, although sourness can be present in place of bitterness (both should not be strong flavors at the same time). Attenuation is extremely high, which gives a characteristic dry finish essential to the style; a Saison should never finish sweet.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium body. Alcohol sensation varies with strength, from none in table version to light in standard versions, to moderate in super versions. However, any warming character should be fairly low. Very high carbonation with an effervescent quality. There is enough prickly acidity on
the tongue to balance the very dry finish.

Vital Statistics
ABV: 3.5 – 9.5%
IBUs: 20 – 35
SRM: 5 – 22

Commercial Examples Shared
Saison Dupont Vieille Provision
Methode de Brassage Saison
Boulevard Tank 7
Ommegang Hennepin Saison
Prairie Artisan Ales Prairie Hop

History
A provision ale originally brewed in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, for consumption during the active farming season. Originally a lower-alcohol product so as to not debilitate field workers, but tavern-strength products also existed. Higher-strength and different-colored products
appeared after WWII. The best known modern saison, Saison Dupont, was first produced in the 1920s. Originally a rustic, artisanal ale made with local farm-produced ingredients, it is now brewed mostly in larger breweries yet retains the image of its humble origins.

[indianajns]

Great synopsis as always Will!

[ScottK]

Great job on the minutes. Thanks!