Hi everyone - just starting a thread, as suggested, to discuss what people think about future brew meets.
The Hudson on a Friday plan was started as it suited best at the time but if it suits better we can shake it up a bit!
What does everyone think? We could plan the meets for earlier in the week or look at a different venue? Just any thoughts, ideas, incoherent ramblings would be great!
For me the ideal situation would be a private room above a bar and that we should aim for the meetings to occur on a regular basis. Say, on the first Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of each or every other month; this would allow members to organise their schedules around the regular date. Failing that we are unable to get a private room and may well have to share a bar then the logical solution would be to have the meetings on less busy nights...a Tues, Wed or Thursday. I think that it is important that we get to talk about beer, sample each others brews and have those more knowledgeable brewers pass on their skills to the novices.
Alan
+1 Alan
I'm on for the less busy weeknight solution. As for location, there's still a lack of pubs offering decent craft ales, on draught anyway, even less outside of the central Belfast area. (Personally, I prefer places that do draught as you can drink bottles any time).
My knowledge of newer pubs around Belfast is limited but here's a provisional list of possibilities:
Hudson
JD Wetherspoons
Errigle
Bittles?
Alley Cat?
Garrick (no craft on draught but plenty in bottles and it's a good pub)
Pavillion (Big House) again, no craft on draught but always have guest ales in bottles)
Shit, that list is smaller than I thought. I'm sure there're more than that.
My preference would be one of the first 3 in that list, edging mostly in favour of the Hudson.
Can't do Mondays or Tuesdays but we can put all that sort of thing to a vote.
Cheers,
-Barry
Barry
I'm not really up on the pub scene around Belfast as I lived in England for the best part of 30 years but I agree with you in that we should for a bar that sells craft beers and preferably draught beers. I think CAMRA bars might be the most sympathetic to our plight and I noticed that most of those on your suggestion list are just that. Maybe you should organise a good pub crawl to test the waters so to speak...but count me out as I'm too old for that now!
Alan
Haha! A pub crawl for 'research' purposes. Like it :)
Maybe wear a white coat and goggles just to make it look more scientific.
-Barry
I remember having a stag night pub crawl along Gt Victoria Street. Robinsons was the starting post and then onto the Crown, Beatin Docket, Laverys at Shaftesbury Sq, Club Bar, Students Union, The Egg and then the Bot and finally topped it off at the Wellie Boot (Wellington Park). A pint and a half un at each stop...a few didn't make the finishing line...I did!
Nice one lads! I'd also thought about the Garrick, Errigle and Pavilion because they definitely have rooms upstairs. I'll check with the Hudson to see if they've a more private room.
Just a thought and in no way going against any previous suggestions but would using a private room make us more unapproachable for new members?
For the date I'm pretty flexible and could probably do most days later in the week.
Don't usually vote or comment about meets as I can never commit until a few days before, so am prepared to go with the majority about dates/venue.
However - I wouldn't disagree with a bit of planning (to avoid the A word)! :-\
There is obviously meets to exchange beers, get feedback, share knowledge, drink the pubs beer, fall off stools, etc - but what about things like brew days (need a lot of planning), or socialising (pub crawls, brewery visits, meet the brewer, travel to another NHC club event), maybe a xmas meet, etc - all need advance warning. Or even, challenge each other to SMASH brews..........
Just some thoughts................
I would think the advantages of holding the meets in a private room would outweigh any disadvantage of making us unapproachable to new members. Being able to discuss each others beers without a background din and to feel uninhibited about opening our beers is a good thing. Also one could, as the 'quiet man' suggested, organise trips to breweries, maybe initiate some bulk buying of grain and brewing competitions. A Xmas meet would be a good time to start. I also think that if a few fliers about impending meets were posted in homebrew shops then these might bring in new interested parties and then it would be up to the club to makes these meets interesting enough to keep them coming back and expand the fold!
Good points Alan! I think a bit of formality will do us well.
I've checked with the Hudson and they can offer us Wednesdays in the middle floor or the heel bar (small room out the back). I can give the Garrick a call if anyone is up for contacting some of the other venues.
Laverys could be a shout. They are about to be doing some very interesting things...would be cool to be involved with them.
I will give any place a go just as long as we can get a private room. A Wednesday night at the Hudson sounds fine. Anyone else out there with any preferences, ideas, suggestions or the like?
Quote from: matthewdick23 on October 13, 2014, 10:49:05 AM
Laverys could be a shout. They are about to be doing some very interesting things...would be cool to be involved with them.
Sounds interesting!
Anything going to be sorted for an October meet?
Not sure man - if there's interest we could maybe hold out until the first Wednesday in November and have that as the first of our mid-week meetings.
What do you think?
Yes, let's give the first Wed of November ( 5th) at the Hudson a go. I have just bottled a Holden's Black Country Mild and it should be ready for a tasting.
Yep. I agree. Let's try one small change at a time i.e. stick with the Hudson but try a different day. Wed 5th sounds good.
If that doesn't work out, there are other Wednesdays in other bars.
Cheers,
-Barry
I'll put this on the calendar. Wednesday nights are free for me, so hopefully will be able to make this.
I'll have a Dark Ruby Mild to compare with Alan's Holden, and an American IPA as entered into the Galway IPA fest.
Now in the NHC calendar! 8)
Belfasties November Meet (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/wordpress/event/belfast-homebrewers-meet-2/)
I assumed we're still going with 8pm but this can all be ironed out nearer the date.
Would it be useful to put a flyer in the House of Home brew to advertise the meet?
Sounds good Alan! I can try and get one drawn up over the weekend if you were up for printing and dropping it in?
No problem Chris.
Chris, did you get my email address OK? Not too sure how to work the messages thing!
Alan
Yes got it thanks! I will fire that flyer through this evening and then post it up here too.
Is this meet still on for next Wednesday ?
If so, I'm planning to be there this time, Aer Lingus permitting...
Quote from: DubbelD on October 30, 2014, 05:01:17 PM
Is this meet still on for next Wednesday ?
If so, I'm planning to be there this time, Aer Lingus permitting...
Yep all going ahead! Hope to see you there then!
Still planning to attend, although I might be a bit late.
Hopefully you won't start the tastings until after Barry has gone through the first few points on the evenings dreaded "A" word!
Have a Dark Ruby Mild and a (failed) American IPA for sampling and hoping Ciaran can attend with his winning English IPA.
You bringing the nibbles Sub?
Andy
Chis, Jackie ( House of Homebrew) has posted our flyer for the Wednesday meet on Facebook so perhaps we get a few more interested parties coming along.
Alan
Afraid I have to take the blue pill on this one seeing as the good lady is ready to pop.
Probably best I stick around the house...and remain relatively lucid.
I was looking forward to bringing a bottle of mild along for the tasting - as infection free as a holy hand grenade!
Could probably do with another month in the bottle in fairness. So maybe next month. Look forward to hearing how it goes.
Quote from: Quiet_Man on November 03, 2014, 09:29:58 PM
Still planning to attend, although I might be a bit late.
Hopefully you won't start the tastings until after Barry has gone through the first few points on the evenings dreaded "A" word!
Have a Dark Ruby Mild and a (failed) American IPA for sampling and hoping Ciaran can attend with his winning English IPA.
You bringing the nibbles Sub?
Andy
It was a joint brew, myself and Shane will be in attendance (with two of the last three bottles in existence). Any clues on what's this months agenda?
Quote from: Ciaran on November 04, 2014, 10:59:07 AM
Any clues on what's this months agenda?
You
had to go and mention it :'(
-Barry
Gentlemen! Sorry about the lack of input over the last few months. The summer ran away from me and as you all know one thing leads to another and then it's Christmas! Brewed a batch or two in the interim and took my hand at this wine malarkey. The Better Half loves it. Poun' a battle so it's weeker. Anyway it's my boys 17th the morra so I'm probably out. Good luck tomorrow, enjoy and let me know how far Bazza gets on with the "Agenda". My money is on less than 5 mins.......
:D ;D ;D
Quote from: Quiet_Man on November 03, 2014, 09:29:58 PM
You bringing the nibbles Sub?
Spiffing idea my man! ;)
Alan - ah that's good. Hopefully will generate a bit of interest!
Paddy - great stuff about the infection free beer and good luck for the upcoming arrival. I was the same last July - didn't want to leave the house and 'tempt fate'!
Barry - will I request that no windows are opened this time? Would be terrible if the agenda flew out the window again :)
We're on the middle floor tomorrow night!
Quote from: sub82 on November 04, 2014, 06:37:24 PM
We're on the middle floor tomorrow night!
Cheers for organising this again, Chris.
Quote from: Roo on November 04, 2014, 04:20:40 PM
Good luck tomorrow, enjoy and let me know how far Bazza gets on with the "Agenda". My money is on less than 5 mins.......
You're being a little ambitious using units of whole minutes, Rauraidh :P
Look forward to seeing you all there.
-Barry
Bazza I couldnt be too hard on YA! Confirmed curry at mine the morra for the boys birthday. No beer for him yet tho! Get some snaps up lads.
Okay, so let's keep things relatively simple for tonight. In no particular order:
- Meet and greet (mostly for benefit of new members)
- Sample homebrew
- Buy from Hudson bar
- Future meets - is the weeknight/ supposedly quieter venue more conducive to a club meet?
- Future plans e.g. another brew day before year's end / equipment build?
- Future plans: brewery tour? Beer festival meet?
- Q&A: You have any brewing-related questions, pitch it to the experts. No such thing as a stupid question.
- AOB
- Next meeting ?
I'll try and have the above list stored on my phone. Failing that, I'll bring a printout and a decent paperweight :)
Cheers,
-Barry "EAT MY AGENDA" McM.
So how'd the meet go?
Are the hangovers still lingering?
:D
Yeah it was a good wee night last night! Everything was tasty and it was good to try Ciaran and Shane's excellent award winning English IPA!
I was driving though so strictly pints of lemonade and the odd small sample :'(
What did everyone reckon?
Great night. Very enjoyable with a lot of quality brews on the table. Also good to put faces to a few more forum profiles.
I thought Ciaran and Shane's award winning English IPA was upstaged by their coffee porter! Wow!
Aye the head was slight muddy first thing but clearing up now just in time for lunch :) Cheers for the comments folks. Some great beer last night. Really enjoyed Andys IPA, the Falconers flight, the mild, the wheat and had my first saison IPA. And with Weard Beard on draught it was a great night all round.
Whose turn is it to wear the medals today Ciaran? ;)
Sounds great guys! Wish I could have been there. Especially for this fabled IPA of Ciaran and Shane. But afraid that will have to remain a legend with only two bottles left in existence...at last count anyways ;)
Was Wednesday more conducive to a meet/tasting session? Also was there a day arranged for the next meet? Hope to make the next one!
Good to meet you all, thanks for the welcome and all the lovely beers.
Beer sampling is a dangerous game, you think it's just a wee drop, but all those wee drops add up! I slept soundly when we finally got home...after running for the train, we made it just as the doors closed 8)
Hey all,
Yep; have to echo all that's been said already. Great night. Good to see some new faces and there was no shortage of effort on the table.
Also have to agree with Andy; the coffee porter was something else, but plenty of other great beers on show.
Paddy: I think the midweek thing worked better. We'd the room to ourselves (when the Hudson finally realised they'd agreed to it :) )and it was a nice relaxed atmosphere. Deffo one for again.
Just to bring up one point from the meet: I think it was Ciaran mentioned the possibility of a Belfast GB for pale malt. I reckon it's well worth putting it out there to gauge interest.
I recorded the Apprentice so that got watched before I turned in. I figured it made sense to strike a balance between all the dead-on folk from earlier in the night with a bunch of self-deluded egotistical tw*ts :)
Ciaran and Shane, if you promise to wear your medals at the next meet, I'll promise not to enter any horses in between times ???
Cheers,
-Barry
Quote from: Quiet_Man on November 06, 2014, 10:59:20 AM
I thought Ciaran and Shane's award winning English IPA was upstaged by their coffee porter! Wow!
Coffee porter! I'm sorry I missed that!
Yeah Barry +1 on the midweek working better. It was good to have the room to ourselves and chat a bit more about the beers.
Just back from a wedding in Manchester but would like to add my tuppenceworth re Thursday. Good night and a sure pointer for the way to good. Thanks Chris for organising the room...made all the difference being able to hear ourselves speak! Loved Cairan and Shane's IPA and I am planning to put have a go at the coffee porter for Christmas. Is it 4 shots of expresso per 5 litres Ciaran?
Great night...I'll be back!
Yep that's what I did but it was finger in the air stuff and more like 4.5 litres. Have to say it tasted a lot less acidic/sharp than I was expecting and made quite a difference compared to the one with no coffee. Definitely the nicer of the two. I'd rather learn how to get the coffee flavour from the grain but this worked well and will brew it again for sure.
Just been speaking to Jackie ( House of Homebrew) and she was telling me that several people went to the Hudson last Wednesday and said that they couldn't find us! She said that they were there from 7:45 and yet couldn't see anyone! She also said that they had asked various members of the bar staff but were told they knew nothing of our whereabouts!
I know that we didn't get the room that was originally planned for us but surely someone in the building would have known of our whereabouts! Anyway I will post a message on the House of Homebrew Facebook page and apologise for any mis-understanding on our behalf.
Alan
Good idea Alan. I have to admit that for the few meetings I've shown up for none of the staff were able to tell me where to go. Or if they did direct me somewhere it was the wrong place.
I only ended up finding the room in the end as I happened to have phone numbers for some of the other guys at the meet. It never occurred to me that new people might have the same problem.
I would think some sort of sign would help here, but it wouldn't be much use it the room is always changing on the night. Having another attendee's number always helps but this means publicly advertising someone's number. Unless someone has a spare phone/sim lying around that can be used for the club on meeting nights for navigationally challenged people like me...or is that verging on the edge of excessively austere?
Perhaps we could all wear funny hats to make us conspicuous failing that individuals carrying plastic bags clonking with bottles would not enough! A contact number would be the obvious solution or a last minute made-up sign placed on or around the bar area.
The next time your in chat up the bar staff particularly the ugly ones. By charming them they will remember the good looking brewers and which room they are in. ;)
Quote from: Amac47 on November 13, 2014, 01:38:16 PM
several people went to the Hudson last Wednesday and said that they couldn't find us! ......... they had asked various members of the bar staff but were told they knew nothing of our whereabouts!
That's pretty embarrassing and makes us look like a shower of amateurs. Actually, it makes the Hudson look worse. I was first down that night. The staff had no idea of the booking and informed me that the middle bar was only open to the public at weekends. When they finally were convinced, we had to wait till they'd finished using the top bar for staff training.
Yeah, maybe a sheet at the door or the downstairs bar would be good for next time. We should arrive there with a blank template which we can fill in with exact location when the penny finally drops :)
In fairness to the Hudson, they couldn't do enough for us when we finally did get settled, which is always the case. Still, I wouldn't want to go booking my Christmas dinner there - oh wait; we did, last year :-\
-Barry
P.s. 'Spoons, anyone? Wednesday's chicken night too. Just putting it out there, like.....
Wouldn't hurt to give spoons a go!
Always willing to try anything once. Plus who doesn't like chicken? ;D
Quote from: Amac47 on November 13, 2014, 01:38:16 PM
Just been speaking to Jackie ( House of Homebrew) and she was telling me that several people went to the Hudson last Wednesday and said that they couldn't find us! She said that they were there from 7:45 and yet couldn't see anyone! She also said that they had asked various members of the bar staff but were told they knew nothing of our whereabouts!
I know that we didn't get the room that was originally planned for us but surely someone in the building would have known of our whereabouts! Anyway I will post a message on the House of Homebrew Facebook page and apologise for any mis-understanding on our behalf.
Alan
Ahhhh that is really bad actually! Especially when we're shifting things about trying to get new members.
So spoons then? I can give them a call next week.
Quote from: sub82 on November 14, 2014, 10:46:59 PM
So spoons then? I can give them a call next week.
I'm in there at least once a week, these days, Chris, so I can ask someone this Thursday when I'm more than likely in for Curry Club.
Cheers,
-Barry
Good stuff - let me know how it goes!
I'll hold off confirming the Hudson until we know and I'll try the Garrick, hopefully today.
So was in 'Spoons there for our weekly curry club.
Spoke to a couple of guys behind the bar about the possibility of using their upstairs for club meets and they seemed fine about it. I gave them printed details of the club, the NHC, and what the meets would involve and they said they'd pass it on to the manager who's not back until Monday, but sounds positive.
The only issue was that we didn't clash with nights that the CAMRA lads use if for their meets.
Anyway, I'll know more after next Monday but, if they give us the go-ahead, are we all in favour of switching to 'Spoons for the next meet to try it out?
-Barry
I'm in favor! :) Up the road from work too...might be dangerous.
Great stuff Barry - that sounds good!
I contacted the Garrick on Tuesday and they've just got back to say they'd also be interested in hosting us.
I'd be happy with either and it's good to know we've a few options!
Sounds good Bazza
Cheap beer all the way for me! Woohoo Spoons!
A belated update on the 'Spoons situation:
While the staff I was speaking to a couple of weeks ago were okay with the idea in principle, they couldn't give us the green light until I'd spoken with Tommy the manager.
Well, I finally got hold of Tommy today and he's more than happy for us to use the Bridge House. He was offering use of the downstairs bar, the upstairs bar or the private upstairs room if we preferred. He also said he'd post any meetings on their own facebook page too. He was extremely positive and helpful.
So, in light of all that, do we want to use 'Spoons for the next meet? It gets my vote. Admittedly, I've had tougher decisions to make in life; I practically live in there anyway :)
So, what do we say; Spoons for Jan?
-Barry
P.s. I'm still up for a pre-crimbo pint if it happens?
Cheers Barry. 'Spoons works for me. Had a few nice beers in there last Friday. One day I'll remember my CAMRA vouchers!
I'd be up for a pre-crimbo pint or two. Any thoughts on a date?
Good work Barry - sounds good to me!
Defos up for a Crimbo pint!
I'll go for it...
Count me in, sound work Bazza
I'm in for January....it's like 2 for 1 prices compared to The Hudson too!
The train station is closer so maybe I won't have to drive and can enjoy several.