September, yup, you got it….OKTOBERFEST season! But first, it's nice to be back to beer after taking the wife to Napa wine country. It was absolutely beautiful there with great weather. I was able to squeeze in a trip to Russian River's new Windsor location, which was awesome. Best beer flight ever as you can see by the picture above. Also went to Fieldworks brewery in downtown Napa, which was decent. Then I was promptly reminded that this was a wine trip, lol. Napa is expensive. The wine is expensive. But the wife loved it, so there, done. Now back to more important things…BEER!
On a personal note, I'm still dialing in my new system and getting used to all the quirks. I remember Evan telling me after he got his new upgraded system that it took him nearly a year to really get it dialed in, so I will continue to keep working. Getting the grain crush, mash/water consistency, and vorlaufing just right has been a challenge to hit my numbers. My 5 gallon brews tend to be right on the money, but my 10 gallon brews have failed to fully hit my OG, so I've had to toss in some DME to accommodate the loss. Anyways, this should be discussed over a beer, not a newsletter.
There are going to be a slew of events over the next month with Oktoberfest and GABF rounding the corner. Instead of a picture of every one of them, I'll try and spare you with only a listing of the local events to come.
Quick plug. Some of you know I still play “old man” soccer for a league hosted by the German Kickers Clubhouse (16776 W 50th Ave, Golden, CO 80403). They're having their own Oktoberfest party 9/13-915, information can be found here. The weather is going to be nice, live music, folk dancing, stein hoisting, Warsteiner draft beer, brats, and GB & Fish will be there as well. My wife and I plan on going Saturday at 12noon, so hit me up if you want to join for a beer!
Also! 6 & 40 is having their 4th Anniversary celebration this weekend (9/13-9/15). My wife and I will be stopping by Sunday around 1230/1pm for some beers and food. Come join for a beer!
September 21, Oktoberfest Kickoff (Munich) – Oktoberfest officially kicks off in Munich, but is it me that I find local Oktoberfest festivals tend to do it whenever they want in September and October? Regardless, find one, drink a beer and grab a pretzel!
September 20, Sour Beer Day – Today is the perfect day to enjoy your favorite Sour! Once considered an unusual style of beer, it is now viewed as one of the world’s most popular styles of beer!
September 27, Crush a Can Day – Open a beer, break that sucker open, and crush that, too. Once you’ve done that, recycle everything and make a difference.
September 28, National Drink a Beer Day – If you need a reason to drink beer today – here you go! Cheers!
October 1, Barrel Aged Beer Day – Enjoy a barrel-aged beer today, and enjoy the flavor that has taken months, or perhaps years, in the barrel to perfect!
October 14, Homebrewing Legalization Day – This day marks 45 years of legal homebrewing in the United States! Thanks to Jimmy Carter!
GABF Week Events (10/9/24 – 10/12/24)
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
- Krispy King Lager Competition & Tap Event ( Barrels & Bottles Brewery ) 3-7pm
- AHA Club Night ( Denver Beer Co. Canworks ) 6-9pm
Thursday, October 10, 2024
- Rye Resurgence Beer at Our Mutual Friend ( Our Mutual Friend Brewing )
- Brewers Cup Powered by Hop Passport – Free Disc Golf Outing ( The Owl's Den ) 10am-2pm
- GABF Kickoff Party @ BREWDOG ( Brewdog Denver ) 1pm-7pm
- American Homebrewers Association Member Gathering ( Colorado Convention Center, Room 401 & 402 ) 4pm-5pm
- Great American Beer Festival 10/10/24 Session ( Colorado Convention Center ) 5:30pm-9:pm
- National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony ( Festival Hall Karaoke Stage, Colorado Convention Center ) 6:30pm-7:30pm
- National Black Brewers Day GABF Afterparty ( Spangalang Brewery ) 7pm-12am
Friday, October 11, 2024
- Denver Rare Beer Tasting 15 to Benefit Pints for Prostates ( Bierstadt Lagerhaus & Deep Roots Winery ) 12pm-4pm
- Industry Night @ BREWDOG (Brewdog Denver) 1pm-7pm
- Bootcamp for Homebrew Club Officers, Presented by Grog Tag ( Colorado Convention Center, Room 402 ) 1:30pm-2:45pm
- AHA at GABF Headline Session: The Future of Homebrewing ( Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons Ballroom ) 3pm-4pm
- Great American Beer Festival 10/11/24 Session ( Colorado Convention Center ) 5:30pm-9:pm
Saturday, October 12, 2024
- Great American Beer Festival 10/12/24 Session ( Colorado Convention Center ) 12:30pm-4pm
- Avalanche Home Opener Party w/ BREWDOG ( Rhein Haus ) 4pm-7pm
September Club Update:
2025 OTMP Bock Beer Competition!
It was decided at last month's meeting that it's far time to have another competition. So here are the details. The competition will be tournament style (no score sheets like last time). We will hold it during the April 2025 meeting being hosted by the Aikmans. This will be a Bock competition, meaning you can make your recipe of the following styles: Helles Bock, Duckles Bock, Doppelbock, Weizenbock, or Eisbock. It is suggested that you bring 2 bottles or enough to have it judged 2-3 times. Plenty of time to plan and brew!
AHA Club Night (October 9, 2024; 6:00pm-9:00pm)
We have a few people committed to brewing the beer for this – Thank you! We are responsible for decorating, providing serving equipment and serving our beer. Here is some of the information we know:
- 6:00 – 9:00 Location: We’ve secured a wonderful brewery location near the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. (DBC Production facility on 44th and Jason St.)
- Clubs are responsible for bringing/shipping their kegs and providing all dispensing equipment. Kegs/beer can be brought during our setup time of 12pm-5pm. Serving starts at 6pm and all taps MUST be turned off at 9pm. We have from 9pm-11pm to break down and get out.
- We have 4 individuals brewing up beer for our table. AHA is only giving us 2 complimentary tickets, so those will go to our brewers. Club officers have decided that the other 3 brewers tickets will be covered if they want to attend. Everyone else that wants to attend will need to purchase a $30 ticket here and have proof of your AHA membership when you show up.
- 21+ only, and all attendees/club representatives must be AHA members.
- Clubs must follow the Event Entry Policy and the AHA’s Code of Conduct.
- Booth space sizes and how booths are divided is TBD. Our decoration theme will be
- Electricity is not provided.
AHA Membership:
As many of us are members of the AHA we get benefits from being members, from discounts, to early ticket releases we all now have another perk. OTMP is now a registered supporter of the AHA; meaning that if you use the discount code OTMP at checkout you will receive $5 off an annual membership as well as the club will be given $5. Feel free to share with anyone looking to join the AHA. This can be an easy way for those of us that annually renew to also roll some extra cash back to the club.
September Meeting Info:
Where:
Dave's Commercial Club House (Westminster)
Location:
9172 Marshall Place, Westminster, CO 80031
Date:
9/18/24
Time:
7:00 – Beer tastings
RSVP:
Register Beers and RSVP to the meeting here.
August Meeting Recap:
Unfortunately I was unable to attend this meeting, but Charles stepped up and volunteered to herd the cats, errr I mean beer samples.
Role call: Jim, Ryan, Chuck (host), Cody (came late because work), Cole, Scott, Kale, Jeff + Sarah, Gordon, Charles, Jeremy, Dennis, Nate
Chuck was a great host and supplied some tasty brats to pair our beer samples with. Scott brought some rogue beers that weren't submitted to the list, but the judges (except that damn Russian Judge) allowed the entries. After the homebrewed beers were downed a healthy supply of tasty commercial beers came out of left field. Great meeting and hosting, thanks Chuck!
Meeting Recap / Beers: