The Palm Beach Draughtsmen's

Brews News

Keeping the Traditional Art of Brewing Quality, Hand-crafted Beers Alive Through Education and Promotion

Volume 6, No. 9

October 1999

Oktoberfest!!

Despite the threat of Hurricane Floyd, which had many Draughtsmen wondering if there would be an Oktoberfest, this year's celebration was a great success. The weather was actually pleasant. The spacious shelter kept the intermittent rain out and let a soft breeze in. This caused temperatures to stay in a comfortable range.

Attendance was down, however, probably due to all the hurricane activity during the preceding week. For those who did attend, the food was great and the 14 kegs of beer were more than adequate. Draughtsmen want to thank the Brewzzi Microbrewery and Hurricane Reef for donating kegs of beer. Draughtsmen, show your appreciation by patronizing these establishments.

Draughtsmen

chipped in their time to make the event the good time it was. Jan Lobota did a great job of cooking. A special Draughtsmen thanks goes out to him. He is appreciated. Vince Yeck did a wonderful job of planning and organizing the event. It is a major job and Vince deserves kudos. Thanks also goes out to Dwayne Knauf for the sound system.

Many of the members bonded over two simultaneous football games. The Florida State game and the Miami game were played on separate televisions. And as usual, Raffle Boy did a bang-up job. The pickings were slim and Joe Simon still managed to raise $255.00 with the raffle.

Way to go Joe. You have a gift. The figures aren't in yet, but all indications are that the event was a financial success as well.

Draughtsmen and Friends at Oktoberfest

Blatent Ballot-Stuffing at Beer Contest

Dano is the People's Choice Again!!

When sorted

Hellis Munich came out on top.

Therefore, the awards committee unanimously agreed to give the award to Dano for his What The Hellis Munich because all the votes for said beer were written in different handwriting.

Congratulations Dano for your 3rd. People's Choice Award at Oktoberfest.

This year's People's Choice award was difficult to determine. The overall winner was Coonsnake Vienna, withWham Bam Pils a close second. However, since there were more votes cast then attendees, ballots written in the same handwriting were reduced to one. The votes were then counted and What The

Friends and members having a great time.

Draughtsmen Feast at FLAB!!

Golden Joe strikes again! Congratulations to Joe Hughes for three gold and two bronze medals in the recent FLAB competition. Additionally Joe shared a bronze with Greg Pope. Bill Eubank rounded out the competition for Draughtsmen with a gold and a silver bringing the total number of medals awarded to

Draughtsmen to eight. Way to go guys!!

The First Annual Fort Lauderdale American Brewoff took place September 16-18 at The Sporting Brews in Weston, Florida. A total of 26 medals was awarded with the Best of Show going to FLAB member Bob Gordash for a Belgian Strong Ale. Congratulations to all!!

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The Gormeister Speaks

A Special Thanks to Andy Rodusky . . .

The Gormeister is busy with some personal matters, so Andy stepped up to the plate and contributed this column this month.

The Palm Beach Draughtsmen's Brews News

Now that Oktoberfest is over, most of you are probably thinking that there isn't much going on as far as club activities for the rest of the year. Wrong, you hop breath! Let us review the plethora o' things that are planned for the remainder of 1999:

October

Besides the regular meeting, there will be a brewing session to make the beer for the Draughtsman Christmas party. Tentatively, we will be brewing a red ale and some spiced beer. This brewing session is open to all, and all are encouraged to lend a hand. These brew sessions are a great way to see how others brew and pick up some practical "real world" - type tips, which may help you make better beer! And the brewing is not a lot of work, but it is a lot of fun! The brew date is set for late October (23rd or 24th), and the details will be discussed at the general meeting.

Also, we will have a study session or two, for the upcoming BJCP judging exam. The study session(s) will help those taking the

exam to prepare....and be successful! Also, it might be a good way to help you decide if you want to take the exam, should you still be undecided. Study date(s) and location(s) to be announced at the general meeting, or give me a call and I'll let ya know!

November

We start the month with something we have not done in awhile......a pubcrawl! Tentative plans call for us to visit the Titanic Brewpub in Coral Gables and the Sporting Brews in Weston, on Saturday, November 6th. We can do it by bus, or by van, depending on how many want to go. Again, we can discuss this at the October general meeting. Mark your calendars and plan on joining your fellow Draughtsman for the last pubcrawl of the century (not the millennium, though!).

The following Saturday (the 13th) will be exam day, as in the BJCP exam. For those still undecided, let me repeat what I said last month.....it is a great way to learn more about what defines the different beers styles (e.g., what makes a pilsner pilsner). A great additional benefit, and

one of the most valuable, is learning what beer defects taste like. There is no better way to improve your beer than to learn those things that make beer taste great and those things that make beer taste less than great, and how to increase or reduce those desirable/undesirable flavors. The exam will last approximately 3 hours, from 8-11am and will be given at Brewzzi's in Boca. Let me know if you are interested in taking the exam so we can sign ya up.

December

We bring the year and century to a close with our annual Christmas party. This year, for the second year in a row, we will be celebrating at Betty and Bill's house in Lake Worth. The party takes place on December 11th, which is the second Saturday in December. We will break out the Christmas brews along with lots of great food and holiday spirit, so I hope to see ya there!

So as you can see, there are several activities coming up for the last quarter of the year. I hope to see as many of you as possible at all of them!

Dan Oliver Editor

710 Colonial Rd.

West Palm Beach, Fl. 33405

[email protected]

Betty Turso Editor

4294 Empire Way

Lake Worth, Fl. 33463

[email protected]

Bill Eubank Assistant Editor

Officers

Gorman Selph......................President

Andy Rodusky..................V. President

George King.........................Secretary

Andy Rodusky......................Treasurer

Committees

Education.........................Victor Sears

Activities.......................... Betty Turso

Dan Oliver

Oktoberfest....................Troy Webster

Vince Yeck

Hurricane Blow-Off......... Dan Oliver

Dave Mathews

Web Page..........................Jan Laboda

Membership Information

Applications for membership

Applications for membership are available at

Homebrewer's Outlet

4734 Okeechobee Blvd.

West Palm Beach

or write to

Palm Beach Draughtsmen, Inc.,

P. O. Box 2101

Royal Palm Beach, Fl. 33421-1074

Visit our website at: http://fourtunecity.com/littleitaly/giotto/175/

For Club Informations:

Gorman Selph (561) 793-4054

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What Ales You?

Dear Ale Breath,

Dan Oliver

Oktoberfest has been the PBD's best money maker and most successful event for members and friends over the past 5 years.

This year we had by far the best selection of beer to date, however, attendance was down and I offer a few suggestions. These are only MY opinions and the majority may not agree with each point. They are offered only as suggestions:

1. Weather in South Florida generally improves as the year progresses into Fall. I would suggest holding the event the first Saturday in October (as in the past) as the probability of good weather improves. I think this was a major factor in attendance.

2. Members and guests did not contribute the expected delicious side dishes as in the past. The word needs to get out. The need to bring side dishes should be included in all announcements, verbal and printed, and it made known that the club provides the beer and meat. All the beer and meat for $15? What a deal!

3. Karoke?? It was cute once at the Cajunfest, but once was enough (or once a decade). In MY opinion, it was totally obnoxious and too loud except for the few who were into it. Again, if the majority wants Karoke, then so be it.

4. No German music?? Isn't Oktoberfest

a German celebration? King Ludwig would have been disappointed.

Regarding items 3 and 4, I would suggest a music committee who respond to the desires of the majority. Music is a major factor in such an event.

5. The members need to presell tickets! And why the big, expensive tickets that eventually end up in the trash. Wouldn't the added expense better go toward food or beer? Many people who had committed to come but did not pre-purchase tickets were no-shows.

6. Finally, we need to do a better job of policing our friends. NO ONE should leave intoxicated if driving! It was a fun party, the food (brats, chicken and the few side dishes) were delicious and the beer was the best yet. The club members who brewed, Miami Brewing and Brewzzi are to be commended. Please take this in the spirit in which it is intended - as things to think about to make next year's Oktoberfest better.

Prost,

Fritz Reinheitsgebot

Germans actually do. (They begin with two weeks to go in September)

However, attendance was down from last year, but it may have been a mixed blessing, given the fact that we wouldn't have had enough food, side dishes included, had more people shown up.

2. You must have missed the memo informing everyone that this would be the "Atkins Diet" version of Oktoberfest.

We did mention side dishes at the September meeting, which was rather poorly attended, and did suggest club members and non club members alike bring side dishes ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE FRICKIN SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER, but apparently only a couple of people heeded our request, or actually read the Brews News.

Next year, I propose we publicly lash anyone who defies this request.

3. Karoke? Yes, it was too loud, (especially for those of us sensitive and caring folks who were trying to watch two college football games at once) and some people, myself included, seemed to suffer from a slight intonation problem. Perhaps in the future we can separate both of these activities slightly from the main pavilion. Can you sing "far, far away?"

4. Nein German music? Absolutely reich. That was a glaring omission and the person responsible should be stuffed into a sausage casing. (oops. just remembered I have a CD of German beer drinking music that I forgot to bring

along.. doh!!)

5. That's true, but when most of the members fail to show up for the meetings, it's kind of tough to do that. And Fritz, I have no problem with less-fancy tickets.

6. All in all, I thought this Oktoberfest had some great achievements and a few glaring omissions. But regardless of the latter, I had a great time partying with old and new friends and look forward to next year's Oktoberfest. Party on Fritz!

Beer Fact:

Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Larzen is an integral part of the venerable Oktoberfest tradition. Festivities do not officially begin until the Lord Mayor of Munich ceremoniously taps the first keg of this famous Oktoberfest brew.

Dear Sour Kraut,

FINALLY, some really juicy stuff to argue about!!! Hot Brats!!!

Fritz, let me address your points in order:

1. Ok, I agree. The point, I believe, was for us to celebrate Oktoberfest around the same time the

(nominations for our own Lord Mayor of next year's event being accepted.)

Brewer of the Month

page 4

14 Reasons

Why Beer Should Be Served at Work

1. It's an incentive to show up.

2. It reduces stress.

3. It leads to more honest communications.

4. It reduces complaints about low pay.

5. It helps save on heating costs in the winter.

6. It encourages carpooling.

7. Increase job satisfaction because, if you have a bad job, you don't care.

8. It makes fellow employees look better.

9. Bosses are more likely to hand out raises when they are wasted.

10. Suddenly, burping during a meeting isn't so embarrassing.

11. Employees work later since there's no longer a need to relax at the bar.

12. Eliminates the need for employees to get drunk on their lunch break.

13. Increases the chance of seeing your boss naked. (good thing???)

14. Babbling and mumbling incoherently will be common language.

|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\ | ||\____

| H O M E B R E W |_|||',"|""\___,

__|..||

(@)*****@)""**|(@)(@)******(@)*

Take a beer and send the truck on to all of your friends!!

Jan Lobota

Name: Jan Lobota.

Nickname: Judge Jan (he judged Jerry's beer and Jerry determined he was the top judge.)

Profession: Handyman, Security Officer, Webmaster and everything in between.

I Started Brewing: In January of 1992.

Favorite Beer to Drink: Porter.

Favorite Beer to Brew: Porter

Favorite Person to Tip: Porter.

Most People Don't Know I: Care about the club. (Considering all the crap I took at the last meeting.)

Pet Peeves: Working 24 frickin hours a day, tasting Joe Hughes's infected beer and down days in the stock market.

If you were a beer, what kind of a beer would you be: a Miller Lite, Tastes Great and Less Filling.

If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer, I bet it makes beer shoot out your nose. —Deep Thoughts, Jack Handy

"nunchion", the medieval word for alcohol enjoyed at the midday meal, was a combination of "noon scheken", which meant noon drinking. A large chunk of bread was called "lunch". Eating bread with nunchion resulted in our modern word, luncheon.

From: Dan Oliver <[email protected]