Meet ups are a bit haphazard with last minute dates being chosen, lists of brewers attending and the beers they will bring a rarity and tasting nights themselves a bit all over the place with regards to everyone knowing what's going on and what they are drinking.
Anyone else agree or am I just being a grumpy shite today? ;D
it depends whether a members wants a social gathering, escapeism, banter and a night out,
or a formal society meeting.
Personallt Ive enjoyed all the events Ive attended, abbeyleix, B&C a few times, my kildare days and all the liffey meets :)
Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed every meet up I've been to. They just seem more like a session that just happens to have a homebrew or 4 scattered about the place. I think that's why a list of beers being brought would work well as it allows for a chair to arrange a tasting schedule (if needed) and to take notes for a possible write up. It has happened a good few times where I have had a really nice brew but have no idea who brewed it and that's a shame as I can't ask questions or just have a chat with the brewer if I wanted which I'd kind I'd the point of these meetings I would have thought?
Easier said than done, but sure I'll give it a go at the July meet.
I just think a bit more 'structure' to the tastings would help. Maybe have all brews put aside on a seperate table and sort of introduced by each brewer. Would mean less clutter on each table (of which there is usually a lot), plus everyone would know who the brewer was and what the brew(s) are. Maybe post-its or something similar can be attached to each bottle before opening so the chair knows what is in each bottle? Anyone any other thoughts? I think it would make things much easier in terms of feedback both on the night, and on here the hazy morning after
Don't want to leave out the usual talking shite of course ;)
Although I only posted this thread today, the lack of responses from others is maybe a bit worrying :-\
But nobody (yet) is mentioning what they get from it...Bren is just guessing
Give me a text just in case I'm not in...should be but sure ye never know. Appreciate it ;D
All sounds good Derek!
I've only attended the one meeting and unfortunately couldn't do any tasting that night due to me having night shift work to go to.
As you said if dates for meet ups are organized in advance, people that can attend list up beers that they are bringing for evaluation and formalities are organised first I'm sure it will work out great.
I'd volunteer for chairing a session but unfortunately my shift roster doesn't give me much freedom.
I'm hoping that fellow brewers can attend the short notice meet up on the 27 this month, that way I can be there from start to finish and see how it's all run ;D
For myself I'd like other like minded people to taste what I brew and give correct critique to enable me to brew better.
I entered the competion not to win medals but for someone to tell me if what I was making was any good or if I should stick with the night job. :P
Keep up the good work
Its not really a correct critque of a beer that is required as I'm not sure such a thing exists cos everyone has different tastes, its just I would hope that everyone sampling a beer is aware of what the beer is and who brewed it so that proper individual feedback (be it positive or negative as both are important, and in my personal case, both are welcome) can be given so that individual brewers can take the comments/suggestions on board for future brewing. Then the slagging/pissup/acting the maggot can happen ;D
I'm working nights myself the 27th so can't be there meself :-[
Quote from: delzep on June 12, 2013, 11:55:27 PM
Easier said than done, but sure I'll give it a go at the July meet.
I just think a bit more 'structure' to the tastings would help. Maybe have all brews put aside on a seperate table and sort of introduced by each brewer. Would mean less clutter on each table (of which there is usually a lot), plus everyone would know who the brewer was and what the brew(s) are. Maybe post-its or something similar can be attached to each bottle before opening so the chair knows what is in each bottle? Anyone any other thoughts? I think it would make things much easier in terms of feedback both on the night, and on here the hazy morning after
Don't want to leave out the usual talking shite of course ;)
I think your on the right track,we do have a tendency to be casual but that is because the lads themselves have a casual comfortable way about them :). But having a bit of structure to the beers presented is the best way.
Any suggestions on how to structure it a bit better?
I'll do it no bother (when I can make it)
I dunno about score sheets....its a lot of paper (if instructions etc. are included) and the tables are quite small and usually end up wet. Other than that its a good idea. Although I think moving all brews to a common table would free up space that is usually taken up with half full and empty bottles
Maybe have a poll about the BJCP style score sheets being used. Personally I like the relaxed nature of the meets and hate when the score sheets come out. Its too much like work.
drinking is always enjoyable ;D
knowing what you are drinking even moreso
It would be great for everyone to list what beer they are bringing (if any).
That's how we always did it in ICB and still do at Beoir meets.
We can then structure an order from light to heavy etc and make sure we have had everything.
Stop being so lazy lads!
How about IsMise's previous suggestion to brew to style on selected months. I thought that was a great idea. Pity it never took off.
Next meet I will bring any or all of the following
1 Traditional Dusseldorf Altbier ( ale yeast and lagered)
2 Peat smoked Dana beer (lager yeast and lagered) This is made with DANA hops but Dana refers to "all kinds of everything" :D
3 Traditional North German Altbier (Lager yeast and lagered)
4 Summer Spruce ale (should be ready on time)
Sure bring them all!
sure will... Reuben, making the spruce beer tomorra, at Kildare brew day, ur very welcome in case u hadnt seen the notice about it
Quote from: mcgrath on June 13, 2013, 02:47:42 PM
Maybe have a poll about the BJCP style score sheets being used. Personally I like the relaxed nature of the meets and hate when the score sheets come out. Its too much like work.
+1.
From my own point of view, I'm into very limited beer types, usually just wheat beers, porter and stout. Me giving feedback on pale ales, lager or red beers just doesn't work!!! :)
If there was some sorting of scoring sheets, not everyone has to be involved if they don't want to. If there was 12 people at a meeting, I'm sure a brewer would be happy to have scoresheets from even half that amount so long as they are getting feedback in some way
might be a good idea just to pick 2 or 3 of the beers to score, if we were to score all the beers we would never get home :)
also the idea of picking a style of beer to brew for a certain month is a good idea. it's June now so imo we should pick a style of beer for August onwards.
people can brew and bring what ever beer they want of course but we should try and stick to the same style of beer then compare recipes etc.
the thing about the Liffey brewers is we seem to have the largest group that is spread out over a wide area plus different degrees of experience.
im only kit brewing a few months where as Dempsey was around when somebody changed water into wine :P