By Matt Bolling, American Homebrewers Association Everyone starts homebrewing for the same reason: beer is awesome! What many people don’t realize at first, though, is that a whole community is devoted to the hobby we all love so much. The easiest way to experience the community-driven side of homebrewing is to check out your local homebrew club’s next meeting. If you’re like me, then you might have mixed feelings about doing this.

At the July general club meeting, Dave Wonder of MoreBeer! delivered an interesting and informative talk on Viking Malt: the company, the products, and the process that MoreBeer! and Viking went through to develop and stock malts for the North American homebrew market. The talk was accompanied with a PPT presentation of images taken on a recent visit to Viking’s historic maltery in Poland. Dave also circulated some publications explaining the various malts produced by Viking, and which included recipe formulations using those malts.

This year’s DOZE Campout at Doran Beach was a great success by all accounts! Next year’s campout will be on the weekend of June 12th-14th, 2020. Start reserving your campsites now if you plan to attend, or even if you just think you might, at http://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Visit/Doran-Regional-Park/Camping/

Charity fundraiser event for Youth Homes Great food, good vibes, and live music, paired with handcrafted local brews to provide guests with a unique and interactive beer-tasting experience while raising money to benefit underserved children and youth. Since 1965, Youth Homes has provided services for young people in Contra Costa County (and elsewhere in the Bay Area) who have experienced multiple traumas, abuse and neglect. The Youth Homes team helps them heal and empowers them to lead lives of meaning.

We are ready to move forward with the BJCP program. We have finalized the class dates starting in two weeks. Most of the classes will be hosted on Mondays with a few exceptions due to a conflict with Leadership and club monthly meetings. Cost is $10/class (to cover beer costs and class supplies) plus $40 for the exam (which goes to the BJCP). Just like last year, if you signup and pay for all the classes at once you will get a discount of $20, so:

On March 10th DOZE volunteers began the process of sorting entries, in preparation for judging on March 23-24.

Our February meeting will be Monday, February 25th at 6:30pm. Here are a few highlights: Our beer social begins at 6:30pm. Bring your homebrew to share (or bring a fav beer from your fridge) and catch up with other DOZE members. Beer of the month (BOTM) competition will be Meads. Bring your best honey creations and get ready to taste and vote for your favorite! Our very own Brett Higham, last year’s California Homebrewer of the Year and club HOY winner will be busting some of the myths behind competing in homebrew competitions – and there will be tastings!

The 2019 competition calendar, with registration dates, drop-off windows, locations, and time ’til competition, is available HERE.

The American Homebrewers Association has released the dates that entrants must know and follow for the first round of competition toward the 2019 National Homebrew Competition (NHC). More-detailed information can be found at the NHC website.

On December 17th, the outgoing DOZE officers held the last meeting of their term. It was also the first meeting of the incoming officers. Leadership meetings are open to all club members. The meetings will continue take place the evening of the Monday previous to the club general meeting , however options for location are as yet being explored.