Written by Ken Carman

I met Tom Vista: aka, Hop God, aka Hop Tyrant, a year or two after I joined Music City Brewers, if I remember right. A bit tall, crew cut, slightly large ears and probably the only voice that can compete and win over my admittedly loud stage voice. I met Tom Vista shortly after we joined Music City Brewers. Back then Hop God wasn’t quite a deity yet. Maybe a semi deity. I suppose he didn’t have enough “minions” yet to worship his deity-ness, lick his deity toes, kiss his…

Should I stop there? I suppose I should.

But Tom is so much more than Hop God, but let’s cover our deity bases first.

So my readers may ask, “Hop God has ‘minions?’” After Hop God declared February 28th National Hop Day, which oddly coincides with the what some claim is his birthday. (Aren’t gods eternal?) He has also declared…

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If you’re passing through Saugerties, NY: south of Albany and north of NYC, this now private apartment building was built in 1873 as a brewery and a beer hall. Known as the Loerzel Beer Hall. One wonders if thirsty ghosts haunt the residents.

By Ken Carman

Ken Carman is a BJCP judge; homebrewer since 1979, club member at Escambia Bay and Music City Homebrewers, who has been interviewing professional brewers all over the east coast for over 10 years.

The Topic: Genetically Modified Yeast

“Maybe they shouldn’t have modified it that much?”

I admit: I may need some help regarding this from wiser brewers and judges. Genetic manipulation alone has never been my strong suite. Hey, I graduated college in 1976, and my major certainly wasn’t Science. As a judge, brewer and beer lover I’m always eager to learn more.

My cousin sent me a link to an anti-Monsanto blog that claimed beer yeast was genetically modified. I was immediately suspicious and not because of the Monsanto connection. To say that Monsanto has some rather controversial business practices is like saying, “We breath air.” A generalization and understatement? Duh.

But I’m also not adverse to all genetic manipulation. Intentional, or not, we have been manipulating for centuries at some level: slicing different strains of plants together, morphing Scottish highland dogs into rough collies, growing a whole ecosystem for Avatar. Wait. Please don’t tell me that last one was special effect movie magic. It was? Oh, now I’ll have to go to one of those support groups that help out those who are disappointed there is no Pandora like in Avatar. Sniff. Sniff.

No, I’m not kidding about there being an Avatar support group.

Now, what was I writing about? Oh, beer, that’s right!
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Written by Patrick Dever for the Auburn Plainsman

Alabama’s alcohol laws are changing again.

Legislation was approved in the Alabama Senate legalizing home brewing of beer, wine and mead.

Republican Sen. Larry Dixon of Montgomery sponsored the bill, even though he said he was not a home brewer.

“There are home-brewing clubs around the state,” Dixon said. “It’s their hobby. They don’t have a legal way to get their product to their tastings and their shows where they judge the best beer.”

Dixon said home-brewing clubs brought this issue to his attention.

Want to read more? Click…

HERE

Brian H. Gill for Catholic Citizen America

The image of Jesus Christ, holding a beer can and a cigarette, reminds me of the weird but (I trust) well-intentioned efforts in the sixties to make Christianity like, you know, relevant.

It’s not. The image is in a handwriting workbook published in India.

The company that made and distributed that book made a really, really big mistake. India is one of those countries where deliberately offending someone’s religious sentiments is illegal.

Which may or may not be a good idea.

Anyway, here’s an excerpt from the news:

“Christians in India’s northeast are outraged after a picture showing Jesus Christ holding a beer can and a cigarette was discovered in primary school textbooks.

“The image appeared in a handwriting book for children in church-run schools in the Christian-majority state of Meghalaya, where it was used to illustrate the letter ‘I’ for the word ‘Idol’….

“…Police said they were hunting for the owner of the New Delhi-based publisher, Skyline Publications, who faces charges of offending religious sentiment, local police superintendent A.R. Mawthoh told AFP.

“The Roman Catholic Church in India has banned all textbooks by Skyline, while Protestant leaders called for a public apology.

“The state government also denounced the publication.

” ‘We strongly condemn such a blasphemous act. Legal action has been initiated against the publisher,’ M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, an education minister in the Meghalaya government, said….”

(myFOX New York) [emphasis mine]

The rest can be found HERE. Do be aware, while part of the article is about beer, it is written from a Catholic perspective and also deals with Catholic topics as well as beer.

Saratoga/Glens Falls/Albany area

Greg,
I have a few items that may be of interest to the club. One is that next month we will have a pre-order sign up for a 50 lb bag of Briess two row during march. pick up is from April 1-15 and the cost is only $39 a bag. If you don’t order ahead the price for a bag is still discounted at $49 a bag for April.

Second is that we are again hosting a Big Brew Day event. We will provide all the ingredients to make the AHA’s recipe for Scottish ale for those who come and brew with us at the store. We will also have our grill there and cook up a bacon explosion and any other grillable foods that anyone wants to bring.

Roger

Hi all, again.

Just a quick reminder that we will be judging ONLY categories 9-D and 13 (all) tonight, but feel free to bring whatever you like to share.

Sadly, the cider competition at Goold’s Orchard for this weekend has been cancelled.  Reed tells me they are trying to reschedule, and I will let you know when I know.

Reed Antis of the Saratoga Zymurgist is putting together an e-mail list for the homebrew store that will include special offers and other news of interest to club members.  If you wish to be added to his list, drop him a note at:  oosb@verizon.net  or give him your contact info tonight.

Roger Savoy is doing a Big Brew Day event at Hennessey Homebrew Emporium in East Greenbush, and also has a deal on bulk grain for club members.  See the info below…I was told by many participants that it was a good time last year.  He provides all the ingredients, you just bring your brew equipment and make beer!

Finally, we are looking to expand our number of volunteers for this year’s Knickerbocker Battle of the Brews in November at the Albany Pump Station.  There is an organizational meeting this Tuesday, March 9th at 7pm at OSB.  We are looking for a few assistant/trainee types, to take over various jobs in the future, and to assist those and learn the ropes from those of us in those positions.  We are also looking for an activities coordinator for the southern area (Saratoga and south).  This person will coordinate between the club and brewers  to arrange for club brew days, club dinners, and other beer-related events.  See me tonight, or reply to this if interested in volunteering.

See you tonight,

Greg

Saratoga Thoroughbrews.org

Written by Ken Carman

“I HopGod therefore declare for the rest of the world to recognize; that February 28th be forever known as National HOP Day. To further celebrate THE HOP and to the joins the ranks of HopGod Minions everywhere, maybe it is time to brew a HopGod BEER.” -HopGod

Last Saturday in the Nashville area we celebrated “National Hop Day.” Or maybe “More Hops Day?” That’s the cry of the Hop God, or Hop Tyrant, Hop God’s nickname. More will be written in a few days about the legacy of this mysterious deity, or semi-deity: demigod… no relation to Demi More… on this site. Stay tuned.

On Saturday several brewpubs in the Nashville area celebrated National Hop Day and even brewed Hop God Ale.

Hop God himself blessed this HopGod Ale with hop additions, as Boscos brewer Karen Lassiter claimed that day. Here’s Boscos brewer Karen and her man slave/husband, Jack.

Twas a grand National Hop Day. Boscos provided pasta and several kinds of pizza for the event. And since we drank up all the Hop God Ale we can tell even this fine gentleman, and fellow Music City homebrewer, definitely had his… Phil.

Every state has weird alcohol and beer laws, a lot of them pushed and supported by big brewers and other large alcohol concerns as a way to get the government on their side: squashing the little guy. In some states 22oz bottles aren’t allowed. Other states a brewpub must be in a historic building: often in a poorly kept downtown with horrible parking/access. Beer styles are limited because only lower abv beer is allowed: despite the fact that hard liquor is readily available. In Florida you can’t sell and fill growlers. The object of a growler is get it filled and take it home: cutting down on drinking and driving; something you would think a state would like to promote.

The following letter is all too real. It is part of a campaign to allow growlers in Florida. We can only hope that change really is coming.

“To the Honorable Mike Horner:”

“Thank you for your consideration of sponsoring a companion bill to Senate Bill 2062. I am a retired police officer and small business owner. Your support of this legislation, including allowing my brewpub to sell for off-premise consumption is crucial to helping my business survive the ongoing economic down turn, and continuing to support my family and community.”

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Nashville, TN area

Next Meeting March 13th: Saturday; 2pm

Where?

3120 Winberry Dr.

Franklin 37064

Directions

There are several ways to get here from Nashville, but most do the following:

* 65 South to Hwy 96 exit (Franklin/Murfressboro)

* At the top of the exit turn RIGHT(WEST) toward Franklin

* Follow Hwy 96 WEST all the way through Franklin(about 6 miles total). You will have to pay attention to the signs for Hwy 96 once you get near downtown Franklin as it will guide you around the outside of the downtown circle

* Keep on 96 WEST until you get to Downs Blvd(there is a strip mall there with a Walgreens and a BP on the other corner)

* Turn LEFT onto Downs Blvd

* At the next light about a mile down turn RIGHT onto Boyd Mill

* Take your 2nd LEFT at Franklin Green Parkway(the entrance to the subdivision)

* Take your third RIGHT onto Winberry Dr. The 10th house up on the left at 3120 Winberry

If you’re coming from somewhere south of Franklin on 65, just turn left on 96 instead of right. Just be sure you’re going west.

Feel free to call 578-7827 if anyone else needs specific directions.

Also, parking could be an issue. Some people park at the pool parking lot, which you would come to if you didn’t take a right onto Winberry. Its just a short walk from there to the house.

Looking forward to it!

Thanks,

Erik Lutkins

615-578-7827

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