Sometimes You Need a Push

[John Sand]

Our brew club (Long Island Fermentation Experiment) held the first meeting since the LHBS closed. The store always hosted. Tonight was at my yacht club. I was a bit concerned that it might cause some issue. Maybe the guys wouldn't be comfortable there. Maybe the bartender wouldn't be happy that we weren't buying. But the guys almost all showed up. A "new guy" from HBT turned out to be a bartender/brewer that I already knew. The club bartender used to home brew. The beers were very good. Another yacht club member, a chef, expressed interest, tasted some beers, and may come over to help me brew one day. We had already decided to be more active as a club. Next month we taste the same recipe that we all brewed separately. I found a bar we can meet at, with the owner's blessing. In the end, maybe the shop closing will inspire the club. Sometimes you need a little push.

[Beer-lord]

Sounds pretty good.
After joining one club last year, I didn't renew and may or may not go back. It seems that most of the older guys just wanted to get lit. I was hoping for a more educational club and recently ran into the president at a beer store and mentioned that to him. He agreed that the club needed some outside input and asked me to come back. I'm still thinking about it.

[John Sand]

We have two large clubs in our area. I've been to competitions they hosted, met some of the officers and members. It didn't make me want to join. Our club is informal, no officers, no dues. We meet to share beer and brewing experience. Just the way I like it.

[Rebel_B]

I belong to a large club. The Homebrew competitions they host are large sources of revenue for club services. That pays for the 'keg library' & all the brewing equipment that you can 'check out' for club members. We also have a Rogue brewing partner; a member can schedule a brew day to use the 20 gallon set-up at the brewery, then it is served on the club guest tap at the local Rogue brewpub. It's a pretty large & diverse group. The goal is to provide resources for club members that will assist them in brewing better beer. There are always a number of BJCP certified judges at the meetings to judge beers & offer informed comments & criticisms. Although the focus is on beer, members often bring other home fermented & distilled goodies to sample!

[John Sand]

That sounds great Rebel. I enjoy our small club partly because we can all be part of one conversation. The main reason that the bigger clubs didn't attract me was their lack of friendliness. I don't think that means that all large clubs are bad, just that these two don't appeal to me. They also both seem to focus on exotic or extreme beers. Not my taste.

[jimjohson]

Like BL we got 1 brew club, and all they do is drink. I joined last year but haven't been back this year...kind of doubt I will. I already got plenty of folks to drink with.

[Dawg LB Steve]

Good for you guys, maybe just needed that nudge to get re-energized. We have a local club, that is fairly good sized, that I am going to check out in a couple weeks, meet every 3rd Monday at Willoughby Brewery. Also the LHBS has every 3rd Thursday what is called Brewers Roundtable, open to all and free, 2 hour get together to discuss brewing processes, equipment, recipes, competition process, etc.., I think the most we have had show is around 17, usual turnout is around 10-12. Some bring a recent homebrew to pass around for feedback from others, have one Cert. BJCP judge that has even judge in AHA's regional rounds and The Ohio State Fair.

[D_Rabbit]

Our club is heading in a new direction and it has been a great experience. The president of the club stepped down due to personal things which allowed new people to step in. He was the founder and president from the beginning almost 5-6 years ago. The guy who did a presentation at each meeting, a BJCP certified judge, left for Colorado which opened the door for myself and another guy to step in and share the duties which as brought some new things in as well. With the president stepping down it meant we needed a new place to meet which opened up the option of meeting at a brewery down the road which has been awesome!! We have a guest tap right now at the brewery and they allow us to do bulk grain buys when they order. Most of the time change is a good thing and leads to something better which is refreshing.

[braukasper]

At least you guys have them. Multiple LHBS in the area but no clubs by me. I really need somebody to teach me how to brew

[John Sand]

Kasper, you should start one!
I'm glad to hear stories of other thriving clubs. There is another LHBS a bit farther away that does bottle sharing too. I mean to stop by for one of those meetings.
Our biggest meeting was 13, our smallest two. I enjoyed both.

[FedoraDave]

I've posted before how the local club isn't much of a club. The couple of times I've gone, I wasn't very impressed; seemed like just a few guys sitting around BS-ing about past exploits and drinking beer. I'm still on their mailing list, and apparently they do have monthly meetings, and they've announced club competitions, but it just doesn't seem to be doing anything productive.

I was also put off by one guy who seemed to be in charge, but who dominated the discussion and kept it all about himself. I don't really know if they have an agenda.

[John Sand]

One guy can ruin it. Years ago I met some members of the local Traditional Small Craft Association (craft=boats). I had been using wooden boats for years, studying them, even built a couple. I mentioned that I had recently been given given an old skiff, beautifully built, in need of extensive repair. He acted as if he knew more about it unseen than either I or the prior owner. His attitude was superior, and mocking. I didn't punch him (cops should not beat people off duty) or even call him an ass. But I certainly never wanted to be near him again. One member lost.
I happily admit that we are a bunch of guys sitting around without organization, tasting beer and discussing it. I am glad that being bumped from the store seems to have inspired us to find new options, and try new things. But personally, if we ever get to keeping minutes, I'll stay home.

[John Sand]

Another good meeting tonight. One of the members made contact with the owner of a bottle/growler shop. I followed up and arranged a meeting. The owner and his wife were interesting and hospitable. He gave out some sample glasses and recently expired yeast. (He has a few homebrew supplies) Another new member attended. A couple of us bought growler fills.
Beer guys are good guys.