Here's an event that I would like to propose for February or April of 2015. We talked about this in the meeting, and I have seen some interest from other clubs.
I sent this to all of the Chicago area homebrew clubs this morning:
My name is Matt Omura and I am with C.H.A.O.S. Homebrew Club. You are receiving this email because you were listed as your club's contact person on the AHA website. I, along with a handful of other homebrewers, have been tossing around an idea that I would like to get your club's opinion and gauge your interest on.
Chicago-land has an amazing craft beer industry. I have noticed that the commercial brewers are a very tight-knit group and have a great culture. I would like to have a similar culture for the Chicago area homebrew clubs! In the coming months, we will be planning an event to help foster that. Meeting other clubs, having great food and beer, and having a great time is the thought.
The event will likely include:
- A small (<250 entry) homebrew competition. Either BJCP or popular choice
- A beer dinner. Could be potluck, BBQ'd whole pig, or with separate courses made by separate clubs.
- Bottle share
Who: Any member of a Chicago-land home brew club and their significant others
Possible dates: February 21st, 28th or April 4th.
Attendance: 75-125 people
Location: C.H.A.O.S.' clubhouse or other available venue (such as Dankhaus).
Cost: nominal fee to cover costs associated with food, event space.
Please discuss with your members and let me know your thoughts and ideas as well as how interested your club members would be.
Thanks for your time!
March is DMC and Charlie Orr competitions which would make it tough to have an event. I would prefer to have eveything at the clubhouse but we should be open to other venues as well. We can do this small - like ~50 people or as big as our parties.
Leave your thoughts or questions below.
Hey! Sounds like a great idea, just a few thoughts
- To get enough judges for that size competition, I'd definitely recommend BJCP, as judges will want to earn official points for their time.
- From experience, Dank charges a significant fee, $400+ for half a day depending on the room. We hold Winterbrew at Grafton's backroom without a charge, with the agreement that we order food through them. Maybe a partnership with someplace similar (FatPour, Chop Shop, etc.) with event space and food. Places like Binny's Tasting Room have space but may charge a fee to use the space. Having the 501(c)3 status is definitely a bargaining chip versus non-charitible events, but finding a space that allows food, bottles and minimal space fee... not easy to find, unfortunately.
- April 4-5th is Easter weekend, which may limit availability for some who travel.
I would talk to James Lewis as he hosted a Homebrew Club get together at the old brew space. I wasn't able to attend, but he probably has some tips and lessons learned from planning the last get together.
I will Ken.
Kim, just realized that about easter. Looks like Feb 21st is also midwinter in MKE. Brewhouse would be easiest and cheapest but I'll take a look at some other spots.
That was Chuck that hosted and organized the event.
For the competition part maybe it would be better to do it like Bubbly Creek, a keg competition.
I'm leaning towards no bjcp, people's choice would be easier and less formal.
The deal with this is to get the other clubs to get to know us and what our space is about. Thats a bit hard if you have it somewhere else other than the clubhouse.
At our last interclub social we went informal, no full dinner, no competition no huge set up of tents and such. Keep it simple, we already have our hands full with the quarterly parties.
It should be less focused on "get to know CHAOS" (I know, I know) and more on all the clubs. It would be ideal for many reasons to have this at the BH. I like informal, but I think at least a potluck style dinner is do-able.
No, I do not want to be running around with a ton of people setting up all of our taps and kegerator and whatnot. Leave it for everyone that comes to dispense their own.
Still alot of details to hash out...
I feel like just a bottle share/pot luck deal would be best. A competition, even informal would take up a lot of mingling time.
And set up of taps and serving stations...
I'm still on the UKG mailing list, so I can act as a liason if necessary. They started a discussion about it yesterday.
Feb 21st is bad because of Midwinter and April 11th is First Round NHC.
I really like the idea, Matt. I think it should be as informal and welcoming as possible, especially if on our turf. Big ass bottle share and pot luck sound best to me and less work to organize and execute.
This is now happening. April 11th is the official date. Here is the eventbrite link, please rsvp here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-chicago-homebrew-club-social-tickets-15...
tell your (homebrew) friends.