Last March, on the very day that DOZE was to start judging the entries for the San Francisco region 1st round of the National Homebrew Competition (NHC), the American Homebrewers Association cancelled the competition due to the risks posed to judges and volunteers from the novel coronavirus. So, sitting on hundreds of bottles of beer entered into the competition, what was DOZE to do with them all? Well, we JUDGED them, of course!

Photo credit: Damien Clauson One of DOZE’s many award-winning homebrewers, Jordan Reed has just had a beer he helped brew released on tap and in cans by Del Cielo Brewing Co., in downtown Martinez (CA). Brewed with Del Cielo Brewing’s owner, and fellow DOZE member, Luis Castro, Do The Fandango is a 5.4% abv Bohemian pilsner made with Saaz hops. Be sure to check it out.

Our own Luis Castro, a DOZEr gone pro, and his Del Cielo Brewing Co., were featured this week in the San Jose Mercury News. Read the article at: https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/06/14/how-one-bay-area-craft-brewery-is-staying-afloat-through-coronavirus/

California State Fair Homebrew Competition results are up for 2020! Congrats to all the winners! Congratulations to all participating DOZE members on pulling out a win for the fourth year in a row! #homebrew #clubdoze #goldenbear Lots of wins from club team brews! Keep at it and carry the momentum on to NHC!

What got you into home brewing?🍻 Jordan: I discovered the MoreBeer store in Concord one day. I also visited the home brewers tent at the Bay Area Craft Beer festival. I don’t remember which happened first, but once I got a catalog from MoreBeer, I started dreaming of making my own beer at home. My wife bought me my first equipment kit as a gift (Okay, I bought it for myself as a gift from her.

Hello DOZEers! We have three events upcoming which will offer opportunities to share our brews and to educate the public about our hobby. First up is the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club BeerFest BBQ on Feb. 29th in Danville. Some of us poured homebrew there last year and it was great to interact with a whole new segment of the public. This year the Mad Z’s are heading up the organizing of the beer.

We will once again hold the DOZE Homebrewer of the Year competition for 2020. The purpose of the HOY is to recognize DOZE members competing in competitions and provide an award for the club member that best represents DOZE in competitions over the year. Check here throughout the year for the HOY Standings. DOZE members score points towards HOY by competing in BJCP competitions under the DOZE homebrew club. One point is awarded for entering a competition and points are awarded based on placing in the top three with a bonus for winning best in show.

The 2020 Competition Calendar is up! For ease of reading there are two tabs: the 1st is all comps that have published 2020 dates and details; the 2nd tab are comps that DOZE members have entered in the past, but do not yet have their schedule published. If you hear, see, or know about any updates, changes, or other details of comps, please message me so I can update the sheet.

Hey, DOZErs, our Holiday Party is coming up on Dec. 9th, 6:30-9:00 PM at the Manzanita Room in the Linday Wildlife Experience (where our meetings are held). Space is limited, so be sure to go to the DOZE storefront and purchase your tickets ahead of time! You can also get a head start on buying tickets for the drawing. Bring your best beers -homemade or commercial- to share, and as usual there will be a dessert contest, so whip up your most decadent treats and enter!

DOZE’rs, it’s time for this year’s DOZE Team Competition! This is a great opportunity to get to know some of your fellow brewers, and put together some entries for both the California State Fair, and the National Homebrew Competition. Let’s get together, brew some great beers, and try and get our 4th Golden Bear in a row! If you want to participate, sign up here and we’ll announce teams at next week’s meeting, Monday 10/28.