Meeting Minutes – September 2015

Miami Area Society of Homebrewers
Minutes of the Monthly General Meeting
September 24, 2015

The monthly general meeting of the Miami Area Society of Homebrewers was called to order at 7:30 PM at the M.I.A. Brewing Company on September 24, 2015 by Bob Billany.

I.  Review of Previous Minutes

Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was waived.

II.  Treasurer’s Report

Our Treasurer, Denise Graham, is attending the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado.  We are hopeful that the club’s funds remain safely in Miami.  If not, we expect that she will share the treasure trove of beers purchased at the event!

III.  Old Business

1. Club Tax Status

We assume that Josh Hubner continues to research this issue. He was not present at this month’s meeting.

2.  Grovetoberfest

The annual Grovetoberfest Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, October 17th at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove.  MASH will man a tent and be pouring homebrew.  Club members will be reimbursed i/a/o $30 for each 5 gallons of brew they provide for the event.  4 club members have responded that they will provide beer for the event.  Dan Barrett will coordinate.

In conjunction with the festival, South Florida on Tap will be hosing a homebrew competition- “Miami’s Best Homebrew”.  MASH members are encouraged to enter.  The online entry window closes September 30, 2015.  However, Luis Diaz and Danny Steigerwald, last year’s Best of Show winners in this competition, warn that they have yet to receive any prizes that have been promised.

3.  Upcoming Competitions

The entry window for Commander SAAZ has closed.  The competition will be held on October 2-3, 2015 in Cocoa Beach, FL.

4.  Election of Officers

Members were reminded that the election of new club Officers for 2016 will occur in December.  President Billany read through the description of responsibilities associated with each of the 5 board positions.

The discussion around allowing “remote voting” has been tabled until next year.

5.  Coconut Cup

The dates for the 2016 Coconut Cup competition have been confirmed as February 26 – 27, 2016 was suggested.  The only conflict raised was by David Kirsten, whose daughter’s birthday falls on February 27th.  He’ll just have to buy her an extremely extravagant gift, which will hopefully dull the pain of him missing her party.

5.  Brewer of the Year (2016)

Over the past several weeks, club members have been asked to respond to a survey expressing their preference for styles to be included in the 2016 BotY competition.  David Kirsten reviewed the results.  It was agreed that styles which were utilized in 2015 would be omitted from next year’s competition. The styles to be utilized in 2016 are:

India Pale Ale (IPA)
Porter
Pilsner
English Brown Ale
Light Hybrid Beer
Scottish & Irish Ale
Specialty Beer
Belgian Strong Ale
Fruit Beer
Smoke Flavored & Wood Aged
Strong Ale
Spice/Herb/Vegetable

The exact order will be formulated and posted to the club’s website shortly. 

III.  New Business

1.  Winter Solstice Party

Members were reminded that club elections and awards take place at our annual Winter Solstice party.  This event is conducted in lieu of our regular monthly meeting.  In order to avoid a conflict with the holidays, it was agreed that the party would take place on Saturday, December 12, 2015.  

Traditionally, this event has has been a pot luck luncheon.  Alternatively, it was suggested that the party be held at a beer-friendly restaurant.  The club is expected to subsidize a portion of the cost.  Jorge Molina recommended Angelique’s Euro Cafe in Coral Gables as an optimal site.  The owner has hosted many private events, normally preparing a prix fixe menu.  Additionally, Jorge believes the restaurant would allow us to bring our own beer.  “Moe” will speak with the owner and report back at next month’s meeting.

2.  November Club Meeting

Members were reminded that our normal meeting schedule conflicts with the Thanksgiving holiday.  In November, our meeting will be conducted on the third Thursday of the month – November 19, 2015.

3.  Beer Festivals

The South Florida Brewfest will take place at the north campus of Florida International University on Saturday, November 7, 2015.  This event began as a student project, led by hospitality management students at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU.  Proceeds from the Brewfest support the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and its Brewing Science program.

6.  Brewer of the Year (BotY)

The BotY style for September was Sour Beers.  3 entries were received.  The winners were . . . 

First Place:                 Danny Steigerwald (Fruit LAmbic) 
Second Place:            Michael Moussa (Berliner Weiss)
Third Place (Tie):       Matt Waldron (Berliner Weiss)

The BotY style for October is an Open / Best of Show category.  

IV.  Time/Place of Next Meeting

Thursday, October 22nd @ 7:30 p.m

M.I.A. Brewing Co.
10400 NW 33 Street #150
Doral, Florida 33172

Minutes submitted by:  David Kirsten, Secretary

Minutes approved by:   Bob Billany, President