Iowa Brewers Union

March 17, 2008 IBU Meeting Minutes

• Meeting called to order by President Steve Becker at 7:08 PM CDT.

• February meeting minutes were approved.
• Adam Draeger gave the treasurer’s report.
• If you have not paid your 2007 – 2008 IBU dues, ante up. You can pay via PayPal, check, cash, or Krugerrands. The payee for PayPal is ibutreasurer@gmail.com. The pro-rated amount for the remainder of 2008 is $12 USD.
  
• IBU Open wa a success. Many IBU members won medals with their entries. Additionally, the event netted $337.80 for the club! Great job Ron!
• The club agreed to continue the relationship with Jimmy Carter Happy Hour at el Bait Shop.
  
• There is some Rauch malt remaining from the smoked brews for the Bacon Fest. If you are interested in brewing a smoked beer, contact Steve Becker.
  
• There is a new website for Lift the Limit - Lift The Limit .
• Style of the Month - Wheat Beers
  

• • Home Brew suppliers:
  • Steve Becker Wheat
  • Steve Becker Baco Beer
    

• Brian Lenderts – Hoppy Brown
• Rob Emerson - Irish Red
  
• Brian Sabus - Smoked Porter
• Mike Young - Assorted 22oz bottles
• Mark Nauman - Assorted Seasonal bottles
  
• Ken Broadhead - Pony Express bottles
• Mike Guthier - 21st Ammendment Ale
  

• IBU Oktobefest - No one is too keen on having the Oktoberfest at Bevington. Currently, the desirable Saturdays are taken at Walnut Woods. This means we will either have to switch the Oktoberfest venue or have it on a Sunday. Someone is looking into the availability of Walker Johnson park.
• A motion was raised by Ron Staab, and approved. to sponsor a hole at the Stand-Up Guy golf outing. The cost of the sponsorship is $100.
• Randle Boyd was nominated to head up the IBUs Lift the Limit effort. John Martin and Brian Sabus also offered to assist.
• Adam Draeger had some questions about his Sabco brew kettle and false bottom. There was a lot of discussion on this topic.
• General melee declared at 7:57 PM CDT.
• Tabled Motions
  • Jan 2008 - Lauri Glasgow suggested that we have the 2008 Christmas Party at the Red Monk.
  • Mar 2008 - Steve Becker motioned that the reimbursement for Brewer of the Month be increased from $20 to $25.
• Awaiting Closure
  • Mar - John Martin is contacting Fritz Maytag about speaking to the IBU.
    
  • Feb - Jeff offered to open the Red Monk for a DRAW. He suggested that we can bring in beers those special beers that we have been hoarding, share them with your fellow brewers. Any preferences for days/dates?
    
  • Pub crawl/bus trip
  • IBU Oktoberfest location/date.
    
• Upcoming Events
  • Chris Priebe - Millstream Brewing Speaking at April meeting.
  • Speaker from Worth Brewing.
    
  • Big Brew Day -May 3?
  • Amana BrewFest
  • State Fair Home Brew Contest
    
  • June 13 - Des Moines Brew Fest at the Hessian House
• Recurring
  • JCHH - Thursday Nights at 6 PM at el Bait Shop
  • ABL - Meeting at Old Maine - 4th Tuesday of the month
• Lift the Limit
  • liftthelimit.com is up and has an on-line petition, thanks to Joe Stutler.
  • Anyone know if Mike England will give up liftthelimit.org?
    
  • Mark Nauman has a petition at Beer Crazy
  • We need to get petitions to other beer stores and events.
  • Lift the limit banner to events.
  • What does lifting the limit mean to retailers, brew pubs, breweries?

IBU Open 2008 Results

March 8, 2008 

Thanks to everybody who entered the competition or helped out.

Congratulations to Adam Stern for Best Of Show with his Standard American. 

There were 156 entries. 
 

Table 1 - Light Lagers/Pils  (9 Entries) 

Adam Stern               {St. Paul},MN       1B   Standard American           1

St. Paul Homebrewers 

Michael Tiernan          West Des Moines,IA  2A   German Pilsner              2

Raccoon River Brewers Association  

Michael Tiernan          West Des Moines,IA  1D   Munich Helles               3

Raccoon River Brewers Association  
 

Table 2 - Amber/Dark Lagers  (8 Entries) 

Mark Tanner              {Weatherby Lake},MO 4C   Schwarzbier                 1

Jayhops 

Mark Tanner              {Weatherby Lake},MO 3B   Oktoberfest                 2

Jayhops       Marzen 

Barry Sporrer            Pella,IA            4B   Munich Dunkel               3

CSP Brewers 
 

Table 3 - Bocks  (10 Entries) 

Chuck Scott              Des Moines,IA       5D   Eisbock                     1

Raccoon River Brewers Association 

J. Wilson                Prescott,IA         5B   Traditional Bock            2

Iowa Brewers Union 

Michael Tiernan          West Des Moines,IA  5A   Maibock                     3

Raccoon River Brewers Association  
 

Table 4 - Light/Amber Hybrids  (12 Entries) 

Chuck Scott/Lauri Glasglow{Des Moines},IA     7C   Dusseldorf Altbier          1

Raccoon River Brewers Association  

Jim Doolittle            Knoxville,IA        6A   Cream Ale                   2

Iowa Brewers Union 

Adam Stern               {St. Paul},MN       6C   Koelsch                     3

St. Paul Homebrewers 
 

Table 5 - English Pale Ale  (10 Entries) 

Mark Tanner              {Weatherby Lake},MO 8B   Special/Best/Prem Bitter    1

Jayhops 

Mark Facile              Pella,IA            8A   Ordinary Bitter             2 
 

Peter Polczynski         Tulsa,OK            8B   Special/Best/Prem Bitter    3

Fellowship of Oklahoma Alemakers  - A Whiff od JD 
 

Table 6 - Scottish/Irish Ale  (11 Entries) 

Bryan Clauser            {St. Peters},MO     9C   Scottish 80/-               1

First Capital Brewers 

Brian Sabus              Johnston,IA         9E   Strong Scotch Ale           2

Iowa Brewer’s Union 

Pancho Luna              {Kansas City},MO    9D   Irish Red Ale              3

Jayhops 
 

Table 7 - American Pale Ale  (7 Entries) 

Rob Emmerson             Urbandale,IA        10A  American Pale               1

Iowa Brewers Union 

Mark Simpson             Ames,IA             10A  American Pale               2

Iowa Brewer’s Union  -  

Pancho Luna              {Kansas City},MO    10A  American Pale               3

Jayhops 
 

Table 8 - Amber/Brown Ale  (9 Entries) 

Michael Tiernan          West Des Moines,IA  10C  American Brown              1

Raccoon River Brewers Association  -  

Mark Simpson             Ames,IA             11A  Mild                        2

Iowa Brewer’s Union  -  

Adam Stern               {St. Paul},MN       10B  American Amber              3

St. Paul Homebrewers 
 

Table 9 - Porter  (12 Entries) 

Dave Rost                Ankeny,IA           12B  Robust Porter               1

Iowa Brewers Union  

J. Wilson                Prescott,IA         12A  Brown Porter                2

Iowa Brewers Union 

Mark Tanner              {Weatherby Lake},MO 12B  Robust Porter               3

Jayhops 
 

Table 10 - Stout  (6 Entries) 

Mark Simpson             Ames,IA             13F  Russian Imperial Stout      1

Iowa Brewer’s Union  -  

Pancho Luna              {Kansas City},MO    13F  Russian Imperial Stout      2

Jayhops 

Bart Schmidt             {Des Moines},IA     13F  Russian Imperial Stout      3

Iowa Brewers Union 

Table 11 - IPA  (10 Entries) 

Bryan Clauser            {St. Peters},MO     14B  American IPA                1

First Capital Brewers 

Randle Boyd              West Des Moines,IA  14B  American IPA                2

Iowa Brewers Union 

Rob Emmerson             Urbandale,IA        14B  American IPA                3

Iowa Brewers Union 
 

Table 12 - German Wheat/Rye  (7 Entries) 

Mark Tanner              {Weatherby Lake},MO 15A  Weizen                      1

Jayhops 

Adam Stern               {St. Paul},MN       15A  Weizen                      2

St. Paul Homebrewers 

Brian Davis              Lyle,MN             15C  Weizenbock                  3

Global Beer Tribe 
 

Table 13 - Belgians  (11 Entries) 

Jim Doolittle            Knoxville,IA        18C  Belgian Tripel              1

Iowa Brewers Union 

Mark Tanner              {Weatherby Lake},MO 16E  Belgian Specialty           2

Jayhops       Duval-Like 

Matt Nelson              Ames,IA             18A  Belgian Blond Ale           3

Ames Brewers League 

Table 14 - Strong Ale  (7 Entries) 

Mark Simpson             Ames,IA             19C  American Barleywine         1

Iowa Brewer’s Union  -  

Perry Grant              Ankeny,IA           19C  American Barleywine         2

Iowa Brewers Union 

Michael Tiernan          West Des Moines,IA  19C  American Barleywine         3

Raccoon River Brewers Association  
 

Table 15 - Fruit/SHV/Smoke  (9 Entries) 

Denis Elrod              McAlester,OK        23A  Specialty Beer              1

Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers  - American Pale Ale 

Brian Davis              Lyle,MN             20A  Fruit Beer                  2

Global Beer Tribe     Boysenberry Flavored American Wheat 

Mike Young               Ames,IA             21A  Spice, Herb, Veg Beer       3

Ames Brewers League       Vanilla Baltic Porter 
 

Table 16 - Mead  (11 Entries) 

Roger Gibson             Liberty,MO          24C  Sweet Mead                  1

KC Biermeisters  

Pancho Luna              {Kansas City},MO    24C  Sweet Mead                  2

Jayhops 

Adam Draeger             Pella,IA            24A  Dry Mead                    3

Iowa Brewers Union 

Table 17 - Cider/Perry  (5 Entries) 

Dale Penrose             Webster Groves,MO   27D  Common Perry                1

The Saint Louis Brews 

Dale Penrose             Webster Groves,MO   27A  Common Cider                2

The Saint Louis Brews 

Michael Larkey           Belton,MO           28A  New England Cider           3

KC Biermeisters  -  
 

Table 18 - IBU Challange  (2 Entries) 

Matt Schonewald          Aurora,CO           29A  IBU Challenge               1

No Club 

BEST OF SHOW 

Adam Stern               {St. Paul},MN       1B   Standard American Lager      

St. Paul Homebrewers

February 18, 2008 IBU Meeting Minutes

• Meeting called to order by President Steve Becker at 7:08 PM CDT.

• January meeting minutes were approved.
• A new sign-up sheet for 2008 Brewers of the Month was circulated.
• Adam Draeger gave the treasurer’s report.
• If you have not paid your 2007 – 2008 IBU dues, ante up. You can pay via PayPal, check, cash, or Krugerrands. The payee for PayPal is ibutreasurer@gmail.com. The pro-rated amount for the remainder of 2008 is $12 USD.
  
• IBU Open is scheduled for for Saturday, March 8th at Walker Johnson shelter in Urbandale. If you are interested in volunteering, but haven’t, contact Ron Staab via the IBU mailing list.
• Jeff Bruning’s Bacon Fest is Saturday March 1st at el Bait Shop/High Life. This event is sold out.
• There is some Rauch malt remaining from the smoked brews for the Bacon Fest. If you are interested in brewing a smoked beer, contact Steve Becker.
  
• Jeff offered to open the Red Monk for a DRAW. He suggested that we can bring in beers those special beers that we have been hoarding, share them with your fellow brewers. Any preferences for days/dates?
  
• There are a few openings for the Jimmy Carter Happy Hour, Thursday nights at el Bait Shop. Contact Jeff Bruning if you are interested.
  
• The Pub Crawl was discussed again. This is an idea that can’t seem to get any traction.
• What do we want to do as a club in 2008? Suggestions included:
  • see other brewers systems
    
  • club brew at el Bait Shop
  • Big Brew Day - first Saturday in May
  • bus trip brewery visits
• Lauri reported that the Irish Red will go on tap March 14th at Granite City.
• Worth Brew Pub received some very positive reviews.
• June 13th is the Brew Fest at the Hessian House.
• There is a new website for Lift the Limit - Lift The Limit .
• Bevington may be the venue for OFest.
• March 22nd is the St. Paddy’s Day party at Lauri Glasgow’s crib.
  

• Home Brew suppliers:

• • Brian Lenderts – Hoppy Porter
  • Lauri Glasgow - Boulevard Nut Cracker Ale
  • Lauri Glasgow - 4 growlers from Rock Bottom
  • Victor(potential new member) Scottish 80 shilling and Sweet Stout
    
• Tabled Motions
  • Jan 2008 - Lauri Glasgow suggested that we have the 2008 Christmas Party at the Red Monk.
• General melee declared at 8:08 PM CST.

2008 IBU Brewers of the Month  

• January    Dark Lagers

• February    Porter    Brian Lenderts

• March    American Wheat    Steve Becker

• April    Extract Beers    Lauri Glasgow, Vanessa Kinnear

• May    Cream Ale    Paul and Lindsey Wanderscheid

• June    Mead(possible meeting at RRBC    Dave Coy?

• July    IPA    Mark Nauman

• August    Imperial Anything    Brian Lenderts, Bill VanZante

• September    Oktoberfest    Ron Staab

• October    Stout    Brandon Lemke

• November    ESB    Mark McAndrews

• December    Holiday Party    All IBU

Look it over and tell me how it can be improved:

Lift the Limit

Current Iowa law limits beer is to 5% Alcohol By Weight (ABW). Thus, many craft, micro, and specialty brews are classified as liquor. This forces beers with an alcohol content above 5% into the state’s distribution system for liquor. While this distribution system may work for liquor, it does not work well for beer. As a result of this distribution system, many craft and micro breweries will not distribute their product in Iowa. It is common for beer aficionados to stock up with craft beer when visiting Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago, all of which have less onerous legislation for the distribution of beer. This results in lost revenue for the state, and Iowa breweries and brew pubs suffer a competitive disadvantage.

The ABW limit for wine was recently increased to 17% ABW. We ask that the ABW limit for beer be set the same as it is for wine. It appears revising this legislation would be rather easy. Iowa District 31 Representative Ray Zirkelbach will be introducing such legislation during this session. We ask that contact your State Representative and State Senator to let them know that you favor this legislation and ask them for their support in this effort.

Here is a link to get the contact information for you elected officials: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/

Here is an improved letter from Joe Stutler. Remember, you can determine your elected representatives here:

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/

Dear Representative/Senator [insert name]:

I am contacting you to voice my opinion on the need to change the definition of
Beer in Iowa's Alcoholic Beverage Control laws. Currently, beer is limited to
5% Alcohol By Weight (ABW). The current statute is quite antiquated and
incorrectly classifies many craft, micro, and specialty brews as liquor. The
current statute forces beers with higher alcohol content into the state's
distribution system for liquor. While the state system may work well for liquor,
it does not work well for beer. As it stands, not only is the current
legislation is both cumbersome and oppressive, it also treats Iowa's brewers and
vintners unequally, as the wine limit was recently increased to 17% ABW. Many
out-of-state breweries will not distribute their beer in Iowa because of the
current system. It is common for beer aficionados to stock up with craft beer
when visiting Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago, all of which have
less onerous legislation for the distribution of beer. This results in lost
revenue for the state, and Iowa breweries and brew pubs suffer a competitive
disadvantage.

It appears revising this legislation would be rather easy. Iowa Administrative
Code, Section 123 is the governing section for Alcoholic Beverage Control, and
Section 123.3 defines what is considered beer, wine, and liquor. Subsections
Five and Seven speak to the break point of alcohol that differentiates beer from
wine and liquor. Lifting the limit from Five percent (5%) ABW to Seventeen
percent (17%) ABW in these two sections would correct this archaic legislation
and remove the disparity between Iowa's brewers and vintners, and a subsection
22B can be added to define "Native beer" as beer manufactured in this state.
Perhaps there are additional sections of the Code that will need to be changed;
the Legislative Service Agency may be able to assist with this. 

I am of the understanding that Iowa District 31 Representative Ray Zirkelbach
will be introducing such legislation during this session. I ask that you support
this legislation to ensure parity between brewers and vintners in Iowa, and
enable Iowans to enjoy the wide spectrum of beers available.

Kindest regards,

[your name and contact info here]

Help support Lift the Limit initiative. Contact your state representatives and tell them to Lift The Limit. Below is the email that I sent. It is not the best, but feel free to use it.

Hi. I am contacting you to voice my opinion on the need to change the definition of BEER in Iowa’s Alcoholic Beverage Control laws. Currently, Beer is limited to 5% alcohol by weight. This is very antiquated and incorrectly classifies many craft and micro brews as liquor. This law forces beers with higher alcohol content to the state’s distribution system for liquor. While this system may work well for liquor, it does not work as well for beer. As it stands, the current legislation is both cumbersome and oppressive. Many breweries will not distribute their beer to Iowa because of this system. It is not uncommon for beer aficionados to stock up with craft beer when visiting Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago, all of which have less onerous legislation for the distribution of beer. Iowa breweries and brew pubs are put at an unfair competitive disadvantage because of this legislation.

While I am not an attorney, I believe that revising this legislation would be rather easy. Chapter 123 of the Iowa Code deals with Alcoholic Beverage Control. Sections five and seven speak to the break point of alcohol that differentiates beer from liquor. Changing five percent to fifteen percent in these two sections would correct this archaic legislation. Perhaps there are additional sections of the Code that will need to be changed. Anyway, I am of the understanding that Iowa District 31 Representative Ray Zirkelbach will be introducing such legislation during this session.

Regards,

Randle Boyd

January 21, 2008 IBU Meeting Minutes

· Meeting called to order by President Steve Becker at 7:02 PM CDT.

· December meeting minutes were approved.

· John Martin was acknowledged for his work as 2007 IBU President.

· Leo will be picking up the clothing order this week. There are still some people that have not paid for their clothing order.

· Adam Draeger passed around the Treasurer’s Report. We spent a little to much at the Christmas Party. Several ideas were discussed for economizing the remainder of the year and for reducing expenses at the 2008 Christmas Party. Lauri Glasgow suggested that we have the 2008 Chrismas Pary at the Red Monk. This suggestion was tabled.

· If you have not paid your 2007 – 2008 IBU dues, ante up. You can pay via PayPal, check, cash, or Krugerrands. The payee for PayPal is ibutreasurer@gmail.com. The amount is $25.

· Contracts have been signed for meeting space at the Holiday Inn for every month except June. The June meeting has been at Raccoon River the last couple of years. This may, or may not, continue to be the case this year.

· Home Brew suppliers:

o Brian Sabus - Brown Ale

o Doug Ley – Belgian Wit

o John Martin – American IPA

o John Martin – Chocolate Dunkel

o Brian Lenderts – American IPA

o Brian Lenderts – Brown Ale

· A sign-up sheet was circulated for 2008 Brewers of the Month.

· The club will continue the $20 reimbursement for Brewers of the Month.

· The club will also continue the contest for a $50 Beer Crazy gift certificate. A 5 gal keg, two six packs, or two growlers is required for an entry into the contest.

· Living History Farm is holding a Beer and Bread event on Feb 23 from 3 - 6 PM. The club has 4 free passes, for use by anyone bringing beer to the event. Contact John Martin if you are interested.

· The IBU Open is May 8th at 10 AM. A sign up sheet circulated for both judges and stewards. Beer Crazy is accepting entries, beginning Mar 2. Also, if anyone has a line on company willing to donate items for breakfast and/or lunch for the event, please contact Ron Staab or Lauri Glasgow.

· Steve Becker is looking for someone to take his spot this week at Jimmy Carter Happy Hour.

· If you would like to show off your brewing system, email jared@dmcityview.com.

· Steve Becker had a racking cane/siphon cleaning gadget, tips for siphoning and a homemade keg coozy.

· Mike Guthier, of CABCO is placing a grain order. A price list was circulated for anyone wishing to piggyback on that order. If you are interested, please contact Mike ASAP.

· Mike Guthier also presented the idea of a Sour Brew day.

· What do we want to do as a club? Pub crawl? Guest Speakers? Events?

· Maureen Ogle, author of Ambitious Brew, spoke about her book and the research she did for the book.

· General melee declared at 8:52 PM CST.

Thursday, January 17th, the IBU will be having its first DRAW of 2008.  The DRAW will be at Court Avenue Brewing Company beginning at 4:45 PM.  Mike Guthier, the brewer at CABCO, has been brewing up some excellent beers.  He may even have a couple of surprises for those attending the DRAW.

Immediately following the DRAW, you can walk the couple of blocks to el Bait Shop, where Thursday evenings mean Jimmy Carter Happy Hour.  IBU Vice President, Brian Sabus, will be pouring one of his creations.

So come on out and support CABCO, el Bait Shop, and the IBU, all while drinking some excellent beer with some fellow beer geeks.

Iowa Brewers Union Open

Homebrew Competition & Annual Potluck 2008

Judging: Saturday, March 8th, 2008

Entry deadline: Sunday, March 2nd, 2008

• $6.00 per entry.

• Two (2) bottles per entry.

• Only brown or green unmarked 10-16 oz. bottles accepted.

• Limit of two (2) entries per BJCP category. Each entry must be uniquely different.
• Competition Specific Category: IBU Challenge. For you hopheads, the only

requirement for this category is the beer entered must have 1 IBU of bitterness per 1 OG. Example: 1.045 OG must contain no less than 45 International Bittering Units.
• All Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) styles will be accepted including mead and cider. The Director of Judging may combine categories with limited entries if necessary. Style guidelines are available on the Internet at http://www.bjcp.org/style-index.html
• Judging will take place Saturday, March 8th beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the Walker Johnston Shelter House at 9000 Douglas Ave. in Urbandale. Come take a look!!!
• Entries must score a minimum of 25 points in order to win a category.

• Bottles will not be returned.

• Pick up your entry forms at Beer Crazy, Heartland Homebrew Supply or on-line at

www.IowaBrewersUnion.org.

• Forms may also be faxed or e-mailed to you by e-mailing: ronaldgstaab@yahoo.com.

• Please provide payment and have entry forms attached to bottles with a rubber

band.

Dropoff / Shipping Information:
Dropoff Locations:

• Beer Crazy
  3908 NW Urbandale Drive
  Urbandale, IA 50322
  515-468-3008

• Scott Dennis Residence
  8120 Valdez Circle
  Urbandale, IA
  Email: scott.dennis@pioneer.com

• Heartland Homebrew Supply
  6^th & Elm
  West Des Moines, IA
  515-223-7797

• Ron Staab Residence
  6105 Woodland Drive
  West Des Moines, IA
  Email: ronaldgstaab@yahoo.com

Shipping Address:

• Beer Crazy
  3908 NW Urbandale Drive
  Urbandale, IA 50322
  515-468-3008

Any questions can be e-mailed to: ronaldgstaab@yahoo.com.

 

Medals will be awarded to winners of each category, Best of Show and IBU Challenge Champion!