BFD News

BFD Meeting: Friday night, June 10th at the Hall's

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:26:00 +0000

Date: Friday, June 10th

Time: 7-10pm

Location:

Dan and Phillis Hall

8 Glen Ridge Road

Raymond, NH 03077-1536

(603) 895-9401 H

View Larger Map

Travel NH Route 101 to Exit 5 (Routes 102/107/156, Raymond/Fremont).

Take a right at the end of the off-ramp, and travel about 3/4 mile to the stop light at the T-junction of Routes 107/156/27 (Irving gas station is opposite). Take a left on Routes 27W/107N and travel about one mile to the second right, Harriman Hill Road. Go up Harriman Hill Road about one mile to the first right at Glen Ridge Road. We are at the second house on the left, a Tudor-style raised ranch. Park in the paved or gravel driveway or on the street.   Use the back entrance. If looking for Glen Ridge Road on an older map, it might be listed as Pine Ridge Road, and Google Maps sometimes calls it Maple Drive.

Please bring:

    Homebrew and craft beer
    Food (whatever you would like)

Please send agenda items for the business meeting (8pm) to David Rosenbaum(president@bfd.org).

May Meeting: Friday May 13, 2011 - Rob Somoygi's house

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:59:00 +0000

When: Friday May 13th, 7pm - 10pm
Where: Rob Somogyi's home

12 Harrod Lane
Bedford, NH

View Larger Map

As always, prospective members are welcome.

Please bring a tasting glass, you are welcome to bring food, and, of course, homebrew, or commercial beer that you would like to share and get feedback on.

BFD's Big Brew Day 2011 plans

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:54:00 +0000

BFD is participating in the
AHA's Annual Big Brew Day

When: Saturday, May 7th, starting at 10am (rain date: Sunday May 8th)
Where: The home of Dick and Sylvia Moher, in Auburn, NH (see signup sheet for address and directions)
What: The AHA annually sponsors a "Big Brew" Day, which promotes homebrewing. The general idea is for

clubs to hold public events and invite interested non-brewers to join in and learn about brewing (you can read the AHA's info here). BFD is doing this for the first time, so we are inviting all BFD members, and interested friends, to participate.

Note that the AHA site has 3 recipes that they are promoting for the day. You don't have to use their recipes for our event, but feel free to use them if you would like. If this year's event is successful, we may stipulate a particular recipe next year for a barrel project as part of this event.

Water (for brewing) and electricity (for pumps) will be provided. You will need to bring your own:

ingredients (grain, hops, yeast, etc.)
equipment (kettles, mash/lauter tuns, chillers, carboys, etc.)
sanitizer, cleaner, etc.
chairs, tables, brew sculptures
propane and burner (please be sure the burner won't scorch Dick's grass!)
food -- this is a byo/pot-luck event. Bring for you, or bring to share.

Dick has invited us to use his driveway, patio, and yard for this event, and this is open to all. I am instituting a sign-up sheet (see below), so please register so we know you are coming.

Sign up sheet: http://www.bfd.org/BigBrew.php (this will help us know who is coming and report to the AHA what our turnout was)

If you have any questions, please contact me (president@bfd.org) or Dick (rmoher555@comcast.net).

April Meeting: Friday Apr 8th, 7pm at John Golden's house

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 02:06:00 +0000

Date: 8 April 2011
Time: 7pm - 10pm
Location:

John Golden's House
15 Garrison Dr
Bedford, NH 03110

Please bring food and drink.

Agenda:
7:00-7:15 arrival
7:15-7:45 tech talk
7:45-8:00 socializing
8:00-8:30 business meeting
8:30- 10 socializing

Please contact David Rosenbaum if you have any questions: president at bfd dot org.

11 March 2011 meeting - White Birch Brewery

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:05:00 +0000

Date: 11 March 2011
Time: 7pm - 10pm
Location:

White Birch Brewing
1368 Hooksett Rd, Unit 6
Hooksett, NH 03106

January Meeting: Friday Jan 14th, 7pm at Kai Troester's house

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:44:00 +0000

January meeting info:

When: Friday January 14th, 7pm - 10pm
Where: Kai Troester's - Kai's address will be sent to club members via email, prospective members should contact David Rosenbaum (president at bfd dot org) for the address.

As usual, club members and prospective members are invited to bring food, homebrew, and commercial examples of beer to share.

Please send agenda items to: president at bfd dot org

Rob North Wins 2010 Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew Contest

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:45:00 +0000

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE HOMEBREWER NAMED CHAMPION IN THIRD ANNUAL SAMUEL ADAMS® PATRIOT HOMEBREW CONTEST

Homebrewer Rob North Scores Big and Eagerly Awaits Seeing His Beer Served at Gillette Stadium

Boston, MA – April 28, 2010 – New Hampshire homebrewer Rob North triumphed over nearly 200 other entrants to win the third annual Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew contest. His winning brew, a Rauchbier, meaning “smoke beer” in German, will be served and sold at Gillette Stadium during the upcoming Patriots season. Hailing from Manchester, New Hampshire, North beat out entries from all six New England states.

“Rob’s Rauchbier is well balanced and has a perfect blend of smoke and malt, reminding me of the traditional Rauchbiers I’ve enjoyed while visiting Germany every year during hops selection,” said Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams. “Its sweet and smoky aroma and flavor will make this beer a perfect complement to the sausages and bold, full flavored grilled fare that people love during football season.”

Along with bragging rights, Rob’s prize includes the opportunity to come to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery and brew his winning beer with support from the Samuel Adams team of brewers. Rob’s brew will be served alongside the traditional Samuel Adams beers at the Samuel Adams Brewhouse® in Gillette Stadium during the entire 2010-2011 football season.

Rob has been actively homebrewing for the past three years, and is a member of the homebrew club, Brew Free or Die based in New Hampshire. He has entered a few other homebrew competitions over that course of time, and was crowned "Brewer of the Year" at the New England Regional Homebrew Competition in the fall of 2009. Today, he adds another big win to his list. “I had planned to enter one of my homebrews into the 2008 Patriot Homebrew Contest, but because of an ice storm in New Hampshire, I couldn’t get the beer to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery in time. Winning the contest this year definitely makes up for it!” Rob said. “It is such an amazing feeling to know that my Rauchbier will be served at Gillette Stadium this year. Rauchbiers are not a common beer style and I’m excited to have the opportunity to put a beer like this in front of people who haven’t tried it before and open up their eyes to something different. What’s even better, this is a fantastic beer to enjoy during football season!”

The origin of Rauchbiers dates back to the 1500s in the town of Bamberg, Germany. Even today, the best known Rauchbiers are found in the historical brewpubs in Bavaria. Rauchbiers are typically dark amber in color and have a smoky aroma and flavor that varies in intensity depending on the smoked malts used in the brewing process.

Twenty five years ago, Jim Koch brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager® in his kitchen. At a time when high-quality, flavorful beer was unavailable in the Boston area, Jim dreamed of bringing fresh, flavorful beer to local beer lovers. That first brew, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, went on to help start the craft beer revolution. Over the years, Jim has helped other aspiring homebrewers realize their brewing dreams through the brewery’s nationwide homebrew contest, Samuel Adams® American Homebrew Contest® and locally through the Samuel Adams® Patriot Homebrew Contest, giving a nod to the Company’s Boston roots. “I’m looking forward to working with Rob and brewing his recipe in Boston,” said Jim. “Every year since the inception of the Patriot Homebrew Contest, we’ve had the opportunity to introduce thousands of football fans to interesting styles of craft beer, from a Double IPA to an Oatmeal Stout’s and now a Rauchbier. For years, Patriots fans have been coming to the stadium in hopes of witnessing a great game, and thanks to Rob and the homebrewing community in New England, they also get to enjoy some really great beer.”

The Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew Contest, now in its third year, kicked off in August 2007 encouraging New England football fans to brew their own beers and submit them for judging. The preliminary judging took place at Gillette Stadium on January 23, where five finalists advanced to the final round. The final judging was hosted by Jim Koch at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery. The judging included the fine beer palates of notable beer tasters Mike Adams of WEEI-AM, Jason and Todd Alström of Beer Advocate, Wally Brine of WROR-FM, Gail Ciampa of The Providence Journal, Carolyn Faye Fox of The Improper Bostonian, Dan Hausle of WHDH-TV, Norman Miller of the MetroWest Daily News, and David Rosenbaum, winner of the 2008 Patriot Homebrew Contest.

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY BACKGROUND:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that founder and brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. After bringing the recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and it helped catalyze what became known as the American craft beer revolution.

Today, the Company brews more than 21 styles of beer. The Company uses the traditional four-vessel brewing process and often takes extra steps like dry-hopping and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. It passionately pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of its classic beers by constantly searching for the world’s finest ingredients. While resurrecting traditional brewing methods, the Company has earned a reputation as a pioneer in another revolution, the “extreme beer” movement, where it seeks to challenge drinkers’ perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company strives to elevate the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions the world over, and in the past five years it has won more awards in international beer competitions than any other brewery in the world. The Company remains independent, and brewing quality beer remains its single focus. While Samuel Adams is the country’s largest-selling craft beer, it accounts for only about one-half of one percent of the U.S. beer market. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

April Club Only Competition - American Ales

noreply@blogger.com (Rob North) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:00:00 +0000

The April Club Competition judging will take place on Thursday March 25th at 7:00 PM at my and Lisa's house, 391 Oak St., Manchester. To enter, please submit 3 12oz bottles for each entry by the evening of the competition. The winner's beer will be sent to the AHA Club Only Competition for the chance of winning AHA Club of the Year points and serious bragging rights! If you are interested in judging please let me know at rob.north@gmail.com. Thanks and good luck!

Rob North

BFD Club Competition Coordinator

Notice to new members...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:08:00 +0000

If you aren't getting BFDNet email and have sent in payment (by check, or by paying cash at a meeting), please contact me at fairbrother@nhbrewers.com

Thanks
Michael Fairbrother

November BFD Club Competition - Results

noreply@blogger.com (Rob North) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Thanks to all the entrants and to Lisa and Todd for their help with judging last night. We ended up with 6 entries in the end and had a fun night of judging, "Best of Show" style.

And the winners are:

3rd place - Scott Prive - Belgian Blonde Ale
2nd place - Todd Russell, Michael Fairbrother, Mitch Steele - Belgian Triple
1st place - Scott Prive - Belgian Triple

Congratulations Scott! Your Triple will be shipped to Florida to represent BFD in the November AHA Club Only Competition. With luck the results of this competition will be posted before the December BFD meeting.

Next up - The Session Challenge – English Brown Ales. Entries will be due early February 2010.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Rob

Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition Raises $2,000 for Charity / Winners Announced

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:50:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: David Rosenbaum

978.409.5410

secretary@bfd.org

Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition Raises $2,000 for Charity / Winners Announced

Manchester, NH • November 20, 2009 — On Saturday, October 24^th, Brew Free or Die (BFD) and Southern Maine Homebrewers (SMH) clubs held the Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition. The clubs jointly raised more than $2,000 to be donated to the American Cancer Society, and The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. In 2008, the competition donated a similar amount to the charities.

The competition, held at The Potting Shed, in Acton, ME, included judging of 343 entries from the US and Canada, representing twenty-one states and one province. A volunteer staff of 52 judges, stewards, and others participated, making this the biggest NERHBC to date.

“We are thrilled that we had such a large number of entries and participation from a national and international group of home brewers. This is turning into a major regional event as we envisioned.” said Dana Peterson, Board Member of the Southern Maine Homebrewers.

The 2009 New England Regional Homebrew Competition was sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and site sponsor, The Shed of Acton Maine. Supported by dozens of other sponsors, NERHBC is among the largest homebrewing competitions in New England, and is sanctioned by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).

The competition awards gold, silver and bronze medals in 28 style categories. Congratulations to this year’s winners, including:

Home Brewer of the Year (sponsored by Samuel Adams): Rob North of Manchester, NH
Cider Maker of the Year (Sponsored by Woodchuck Draft Cider): Joshua Persson of Warwick, RI
Mead Maker of the Year (sponsored by Maine Mead Works): Michael Fairbrother of Londonderry, NH
Best of Show Award: Michael Fairbrother of Londonderry, NH

A complete list of winners is posted at http://www.bfd.org/nerhbc

“We are truly excited at the number of entries and level of participation in this year’s competition. BFD donates to the American Cancer Society in memory of our late member, Don Merkey. It is a great way to honor Don’s love of brewing, and to raise money for two worthy charities." said Eric Shroder, Treasurer of Brew Free or Die.

Brew Free or Die (BFD) is New Hampshire's first, and most active, homebrew club. BFD was started in January of 1991 by several home brewers, intent on establishing a homebrew club in New Hampshire to 'host' the American Homebrewers Association conference held in June of that year in Manchester. BFD's membership is currently around 80 members, representing all levels of experience and expertise.

Southern Maine Homebrewers (SMH) was founded in 2004 to preserve and promote the time honored tradition of home brewing; to share each others knowledge and experience about beer, mead, cider & wine brewing, tasting & judging,. SMH also maintains involvement with the AHA and their competitions through club sponsored entries and activities. SMH is Maine’s largest homebrew club.

-end

BFD Barrel projects

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:07:00 +0000

This is the current information regarding BFD barrel aging projects. New information will be posted as we go forward. Recipe's used in the barrel projects can be posted as comments to this posting. This will be updated from time to time as needed.

Barrel #	Location	Current Contents	Date for fill/empty	New Contents	Shares Available
1	Herlicka’s	Tripel	7 Nov	Wild Red Ale	No
2	Fairbrother’s	Old Ale	12 Dec	English Barleywine	Yes
3	Fairbrother’s	RIS #2		Not to be refilled	XXX
4	Faribrother’s	Empty			Yes
5	Fairbrother’s	Empty			Yes

October Club Competition Results

noreply@blogger.com (Rob North) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:38:00 +0000

First of all thanks to Michael, Rick, and Kurt for judging the entries Friday night. So without further adieu:

3rd Place - Todd Russell - Oktoberfest
2nd Place - Mike Carthy - Oktoberfest
1st Place - Rob North - Oktoberfest

Thanks to all who entered. I will scan your scoresheets and will email them to you in the next couple of days, and will get you your ribbons ASAP.

Looking ahead, the November Club Competition style is Belgian Strong Ale. Judging will take place Friday 11/20 in Manchester. Please email me if you are planning to enter or can help judging.

Rob

LongShot wnners Video

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Samuel Adams LongShot Winners announced.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:11:00 +0000

The Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest selects beers from two homebrewers and a Boston Beer employee's recipe to make up the yearly release of the LongShot variety pack.

Michael Robinson, a long time Brew Free or Die member, has an Old Ale in the pack, Ben Miller of New Mexico contributes a Barleywine, and Jeremy White, an IT employee at Boston Beer, offers a Belgian-style Saison. Congratulations to all three winners, but I have to express how happy I am for Michael Robinson. This was Michael's second time in a row as a LongShot finalist. I just wish I could have been there in person to say well done!!!

The LongShot pack is slated for release in April 2010, my hope is to get to try some of that beer well before April.

4th Annual NERHBC Announced - Press Release

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:21:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: David Rosenbaum, 978.409.5410, secretary@bfd.org

Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition Announced

Manchester, NH • September 8, 2009 — On Saturday, October 24^th, Brew Free or Die (BFD) and Southern Maine Homebrewers (SMH) clubs are jointly hosting the Fourth Annual New England Regional Homebrew Competition. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society, and The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. In 2008, the competition donated a total of $2,200.00 to the charities.

Winners will be selected from what are expected to be more than 300 entries of homebrewed beer, cider and mead from across the country. Last year 20 states were represented with 290 entries in all BJCP recognized categories. Entries will be accepted, between September 28^th and October 9^th, with judging to be held at The Shed in Acton, ME on Saturday, October 24^th, starting at 9am.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for homebrewers from across the country to showcase their beer, cider and mead. We have had some truly fine entries to judge in the past, and I expect this year to be even better.” said Steve Loignon, Board Member of the Southern Maine Homebrewers.

The 2009 New England Regional Homebrew Competition is sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and site sponsor, The Shed of Acton Maine. Supported by dozens of other sponsors, NERHBC is among the largest homebrewing competitions in New England, and is sanctioned by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The competition awards gold, silver and bronze medals in 28 style categories. Homebrewer of the Year (sponsored by Samuel Adams), Cidermaker of the Year (Sponsored by Woodchuck Draft Cider) and Meadmaker of the Year (sponsored by Maine Mead Works) honors, plus the Best of Show Award, are awarded to the top amateur brewers as determined through the competition.

“Each year the NERHBC has gotten bigger and better, and this year we have a new set of terrific prizes from our sponsors to recognize the efforts of the entrants. It is a great way to honor Don Merkey’s love of brewing and to raise money for two worthy charities." said Michael Fairbrother, President of Brew Free or Die.

Information about entering the competition, judging, stewarding, and sponsorship is available at http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC. A complete list of winners will be posted on the competition website after the competition.

This year’s competition is being planned and run by club members from of local clubs Brew Free or Die, New Hampshire’s Oldest Homebrew Club, and Southern Maine Homebrewers. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is the competition sponsor, while other sponsors include The Shed, Samuel Adams, Maine Mead Works, Woodchuck Draft Cider, National Chemicals, March Pumps, Time Honored Designs and Shapleigh Hops, among many other local and national firms. A complete list of sponsors is available on http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC.

For more information, including entry forms and registration for judges and stewards, please see the competition website: http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC.

-end

What makes BFD such a great club?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:58:00 +0000

Brew Free or Die, is based on a simple premise, that great beer, mead, cider is something that is to be cherished and lessons learned from each other, ok the official story is a bit longer, but that's my take tonight.

This club has at least 3 professional brewers, a few who are lurking in the background and working on plans, and dozens of world class home brewers, to guys and gals who just brew as it's what they like to do.

It's a place where homebrewers with little to no experience can grow, and where those that win MCAB, and dozens of other national competitions shine, and share.

I have been an active part of this club for 15 years, and I can't even begin to describe how much this club means to me, and how proud I am that this "little club from NH" is so well respected. We have something here, that's genuine, and we brew as strong as any club in this country.

We are the largest we have ever been... and that's not such a bad thing! Lots of interest, and it continues to grow, and we intern, reinvest in our members.

Hope to see everyone at the Homebrewers Jamboree, in Campton NH, on September 12th. Look me up, and stop by and have a beer, and discuss why you should join up with us.

Who's happier than David????

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:11:00 +0000

Patriot Homebrew Winner news update...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:57:00 +0000

David Rosenbaum, will be on the Loren & Wally show on WROR (105.7 FM) tomorrow (Thursday, 9/20/2009) morning at 7am EDT with Jim Koch of Sam Adams. If you aren't in Boston, you can listen at http://www.wror.com, but you have to sign up first to access the stream. He will be talking about beer, naturally!

Drinking Haikus

noreply@blogger.com (David R) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:39:00 +0000

From Susan Picard:

Dan Hall and I have toiled long and hard, and have come up with three Haikus that we think describe our favorite Tuesday nite drinking destination. As you're probably aware (but I'm putting it in here in case you're not), haikus are a Japanese 3-line poem that have a particular number of syllables per line: 5-7-5. Maybe they should be on the BFD site - they are good for a laugh. Here they are:

Title: The Strange Brew Tavern

Good cheap beer with friends.
Appetizers at half price.
Bill comes, low money.

Title: The Regulars' Roost
Standing long time sucks.
Must maneuver for a perch.
The peninsula!

Title: Drinking Precedence
Hoegaarden to start.
Then move on to harder stuff.
Victory Storm King!

Hops Direct LLC donates 25lbs of whole leaf hops to the club.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Well I had a great vacation last week, took some time off to attend the Craft Brewer's Conference, where I got to see and learn quite a bit about craft beer and make new friends, and see some great old friends.

One such new friend... the fine folks from Puterbaugh Frams, aka www.hopsdirect.com, they were getting ready to clean up from the event and had this beautiful bale of 25lbs of Willamette Leaf Hops that was looking for a home.

Well as President of Brew Free or Die, I couldn't let said hops go to waste... so I offered my assistance and the promise of a plug (pun intended) or two... so club... here ya go... we have some, ok quite a bit, of hops that can be used for All English-style Ales, and US Pale and Brown Ales. My plan is to bring the bale of hops to the May meeting for distribution to the club. ... BRING baggies, lots of BAGGIES. Kurt Demmer and I get first crack... but the rest is open to the club members.

The hops have been bagged, and placed into my hop freezer, yes my hop freezer is as full as it's ever been.

Thank you Puterbaugh Farms, I really appreciate your generousity!

New Style: Gluten Free Beer

noreply@blogger.com (glutenfreebeer) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Commerical Gluten Free Beer

The most common Gluten Free (GF) beers available domestically are extract-based using Sorghum. I've included a picture of some of the bottles.

The plan as discussed at the March meeting is to develop a new style for the BJCP Style Guidelines. However, first I would like to characterize some of the commerically available brands with the help of the club members. I will be posting progress on this blog under the topic "Gluten Free Beer".

As an example a new category could be:

XX. Gluten Free Beer.

XXa. American Sorghum Ale GF.

Commerical examples:

AB Redbridge, Bards, New Grist

XXb. Belgium Sorghum GF.

Commerical examples:

Greens

XXc. Light Ale GF.

Commerical examples:

La Messagier

During one of our meetings I will also give a presentation on ingredients that are acceptable for Gluten Free beer. Hopefully I can also set up a tasting.

Please feel free to comment.

Harold

Patriot Homebrew Competition and the winner is???

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:58:00 +0000

David Rosenbaum, a very active club member who has previously been vice president of Brew Free or Die, and is currently its acting webmaster, and secretary... has just won the 2008/9 Patriot Homebrew Competition!!!

This competition had over 170 entries from all over New England.

David has been a season pass holder for the New England Patriots for as long as I have known him, here he's in the background at 2007/8 competition, in the #80 jersey.

I can't imagine what it's going to be like to have a beer that you created and brewed at home, be made commercially and have on draft while you are watching the game, but I have to imagine it's going to be incredible. I would also imagine getting to work with the brewers at Samuel Adams is also going to be a blast.

So congratulations David!

Michael Fairbrother

Brew Free or Die --- now owns Mead Free or Die

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:40:00 +0000

The first national Mead only competition to be held in all of New England is now for the benefit of Brew Free or Die.

Mead Free or Die, which has support from over 17 sponsors thus far, is scheduled for April 25th 2009, to be held in Manchester NH.

See www.meadfreeordie.com for more information about the competition.

Old Ale -- Utopias barrel aged.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Fairbrother) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Well today, 7 Brew Free or Die members got together to add the Old Ales they had brewed into a Utopias Barrel.

The colors of the beers ranged from a dark copper to medium brown. The process was to sample each of the beers before adding to the barrel. The flavors ranged from dry to sweet, body of the beers also ranged from thin to medium/full.

Overall the hopes of those entering into this long term project was quite high. The estimate is that we have 43 gallons in the barrel.

The other barrel projects were sampled, keeping sanitation in mind, the Flanders Brown (aka. what was once a Baltic porter) has really started to improve quite a bit. To quote Bill H. "if anyone doesn't want their share, I will take it". The Russian Imperial in Utopias barrel, has a great toasted coconut and vanilla flavor/aroma, medium to full body... really exceptional.