Messages

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General Homebrew Discussion / 2013 AHA Governing Committee election results

« on: April 02, 2013, 08:43:28 AM »

Howdy everyone,

As the AHA Governing Committee Chairperson I'm happy to announce the results of the AHAGC 2013 elections.  There were 2 open spots this year, and 7 candidates running for election. This was a very strong group of AHA members, with qualities ranging from extensive BJCP experience, committee and non-profit experience, club organizing and leadership, and of course a myriad of other traits including the brewing of great beer!

Fred Bonjour - incumbent
Justing Crossley - incumbent
Steve Cook
Matt Johnson
Bruce Buerger
Chris Hummert
Martin Brungard

The election process ended on March 30th, with votes being tallied and verfied on April 1st.  Only current AHA members were allowed to vote.  The election process, and the candidates' respective platforms were disseminated through email to members, on this website, in Zymurgy, through all AHA social media channels and on-air thanks to the Brewing Network which brought each candidate on and gave them a chance to speak to their position, candidacy, and qualities.

Voter "turn out" was the strongest ever at 1423 votes, a 31% increase from last year, setting a new record. However, we would like to see voter participation increase and will make every effort to accomplsh this in 2014, when we will have 8 open seats!

After all votes were tallied, here are the two candidates that will be serving:

Fred Bonjour
Justin Crossley

I"m looking forward to working with both of these individuals yet again over the next 3 years.  They have been valued and integral members of the AHAGC thus far, and I expect them to continue their hard work.

To everyone who ran, who has ever run, or has ever thought about running...please do!
Getting involved is the single best way you can help the AHA deal with the enormous challenges it will face in the coming years. 

To see the existing AHAGC, and the respective sub committees please visit this page: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/membership/aha-governing-committee

More about the results from the AHA:
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/community/news/show?title=2013-governing-committee-election-results

Congrats to Fred and Justin, and thank you to all the candidates and AHA members that voted.
Cheers!

Jake Keeler
Chairperson - AHA Governing Committee

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA Membership

« on: December 09, 2012, 12:52:46 PM »

Thought I'd share my thoughts on being a member:

Did you know the American Homebrewers Association just turned 34?  Do you know how important this organization has been not only to homebrewing, but to the emergence of the craft beer movement?
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/community/news/show?title=hoppy-birthday-aha

I'm proud to serve as the Chairperson of the AHA Governing Committee.  In fact, I'm working on AHA stuff today!  As a member of the AHA, I enjoy all the benefits like pub discounts and Zymurgy magazine...but more importantly I have seen first hand the important work the AHA does in states where homerbewing is still illegal, and/or where the rights of homebrewers need to be defended.

If you are a homebrewer, please become a member.  The work of the AHA does not only help promote a better future for homebrewing, but a better future for great beer in general.

Cheers..and happy b-day AHA.

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General Homebrew Discussion / BTV - Episode 55: All About Stouts

« on: February 10, 2012, 06:46:40 AM »

We are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day with stout on the brain! For the occasion, Jake and Mike brew two beers. One is a Dry Irish Stout on par with the modern Guinness Draught, which we serve on nitrogen through a stout faucet. The other beer is a Single Stout Porter, based on a beer Guinness produced back in the 1880s. We put the beers up against each other in a taste test… and find out the secret to Chip's Chocolate Stout along the way. [Original postdate: February 10, 2012]

For related links and content, see:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/connect/episode/brewing-tv-episode-55-all-about-stout

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Events / Gordon Strong and Nathan Smith at Northern Brewer MPLS - 1/16

« on: January 17, 2012, 08:33:55 AM »

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Bill 290

« on: November 18, 2011, 07:42:42 AM »

The Senate hearing went very very well!
It's looking like it will pass through the Senate, and then onto the Governors desk.

David Mitchell from the Vine and Hop shop in Madison also showed up to testify in support and made some excellent points.

My impressions so far is that there is very strong, bi-partisan, and unified support for both this bill, and the efforts of the homebrewers.

Representative Dale Kooyenga who worked with NB to draft AB 290 said he is very interested in helping the WIHBA on any and all efforts of the "Homebrewer's Rigths" bill.  I think he has built strong relationships, trust and consensus in both houses on the issues Homebrewers are facing in WI.   His email:  Rep.Kooyenga@legis.wisconsin.gov

cheers!

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Bill 290

« on: November 14, 2011, 10:37:57 AM »

Hey everyone, I just got notice that AB290 has a public hearing this Thursday (see details below).
I'm planning on attending to testify in support.
I'm also going to make some supportive remarks for the WIHBA's efforts.

Wish me luck!

Jake


------------------
Committee on Energy, Biotechnology, and Consumer Protection
The committee will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified below:
Thursday, November 17, 2011
10:00 AM
330 Southwest
State Capitol

Senate Bill 205

Relating to: the manufacture of wine and fermented malt beverages not offered for sale.
By Senators Zipperer, Galloway and Schultz; cosponsored by Representatives Kooyenga, Mursau, Spanbauer, Rivard, A. Ott, C. Taylor, Brooks and Berceau.

 
Assembly Bill 290

Relating to: the manufacture of wine and fermented malt beverages not offered for sale.
By Representatives Kooyenga, Mursau, Spanbauer, Rivard, A. Ott, C. Taylor, Brooks, Berceau and Strachota; cosponsored by Senators Zipperer, Galloway and Schultz.

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Bill 290

« on: October 26, 2011, 06:51:45 AM »

Good news, the bill was passed by a voice vote through the Assembly yesterday.
Also, the amendment requiring shops to obtain an operators license was fixed/adjusted to reflect the fact that shops DO NOT need to obtain an additional liquor license of any kind to qualify for the operators license.

In essence, this means shops will only have to obtain the simple "bartenders" or operators license for employees whom will serve or oversee giving out samples at said shop. 

For more information: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/ab290

The bill now goes to the Senate.  It may require a hearing prior to going to the Senate floor, or it may go straight to the floor for a vote.  Since it passed on a voice vote through the Assembly, and no one has registered opposition, it may go straight to vote. 

cheers

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Bill 290

« on: October 24, 2011, 06:26:50 AM »

Hey guys/gals, I'm glad to see we're hashing this out, and giving it the proper constructive discussion it deserves.

On Friday, I sent an email to Rep. Kooyenga expressing some of our concerns about the operators license warranting a class A or B liquor licenses for homebrew shops.  I also brought up the concern about this having a ripple affect on homebrewers themselves in regards to serving their beer.

He replied to me stating that they will look into any and all adverse affects this amendment to AB 290 may cause, and expressed very clearly that taking the amendment OFF the bill was an option on the table.  The amendment was added as a component to help the bill pass, not punish shops or homebrewers in any way. I'll keep you all posted as to what they determine.

I do think, that without having any restrictions to sample sizes and/or frequency in a shop means there needs to be some kind of guarantee that sampling will not get out of hand, and, patrons do not become intoxicated.  So, I could see an amendment replacing this one that regulates amount and frequency of sampling, which seems reasonable to me.

I will also add that most liquor liability polices will not cover a claim unless the businesses employees have acquired the proper serving licenses for a particular state/county.  This is something that will need to be explored further. 

Two questions I like to get feedback on:

1.  If further amendments would allow shops to obtain operators licenses without having to obtain class A or B liquor licenses, would this make the current amendment more palatable?  I know this still leaves open questions to how licensing may affect homebrewers, but I'd like to get opinions.
2.  If the current amendment is striked, and they propose a sample size limit, and limits to frequency of sampling, would this be acceptable to shop owners?

Please pass this along to the WIHBA listserve/google group  (I still need to be added!)

cheers

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Bill 290

« on: October 21, 2011, 05:01:27 PM »

Tom, I replied to you post on the NB forum, but I'll repost here to make sure the cquaestions/concerned are addressed to the widest p[ossible audnece:

Early on, we got the impression that the WIHBA was going to pursue their bill for homebrewers rights separate from the homebrew shop concerns, so I think it was a mutual conclusion that having separate bills was the best way to proceed.

When I was stating that the NB office decide to adopt a separate route, I was attempting to make clear that we didn't want things like in-store sampling, or a business brewing on it's premise damaging the chances of the homebrewers rights bill. Sorry if that got lost in the translation.

We have supported our fellow homebrewers efforts through the WIHBA, and will continue to do so in the future. I pledge to make every possible effort be present at any and all public hearings and/or votes on the bill that is being worked on by the WIHBA. And, if NB can assist in any other way, we are prepared to do so. For the record, I mentioned the other bill and the efforts of the WIHBA and gave it/them/us full support.

I'm sorry if I/NB hasn't been on top of this as much as I/we should...you may have noticed we're having some, cough cough, website issues...and we have to open a store in less of a month. I know, excuses, but please don't take any absence of NB's presence, input or support as an indication that we don't care.

I'll add:  I've put an email into Rep. Kooyenga to get some further details about how the operators license might affect homebrewers/events/etc.  The amendment was introduced as a way to protect the bill, so all intentions so far have been to help homebrew shops and homebrewers.  There may be some things being glossed over and missed, so I'm committed to follow up with Rep. Kooyenga next week via phone, and others involved with this bill, to make sure it does not have components that may hinder homebrewers and/or home brew shops down the line. 

cheers

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Bill 290

« on: October 21, 2011, 08:23:14 AM »

I'm happy to field questions, and clarify NB's actions in regards to WI AB 290.  I posted this response at the NB forum linked above, so pardon the repetition.  I 100% echo what Gary has said here, and I'd like to add the following:

1. NB and the AHA heard about the public hearing only days before it actually took place. So, we heard roughly the same time everyone else did.

2. NB decided to remove our business concerns from the WIHBA efforts on homebrewers' concerns 6/7 months ago because we did not want to railroad the efforts, and felt that separating the two concerns (business and homebrewers rights) would have be stronger served if dealt with separately. Our two issues were:

A. Homebrew shops cannot currently brew on the premise of our shop - homebrew/wine can only be made in one's residence. We sought to overturn this will bill 290 to simply allow us to brew homebrewed beer and wine on premise for research, development and educational purposes.
B. We cannot serve samples of any kind on our premise. For the record, this was never "legal" and if homebrew shops were doing it they were operating in legally grey area at best. Through bill 290 we sought to get legal permission to serve samples for educational purpose.

3. Rep. Kooyenga approached us to help draft the bill and we moved on the effort as quickly as we could.

4. The bill was introduced to committee last week with strong support, and it was then proposed to add an amendment requiring shops to acquire Operator Licenses for those employees who'd be serving the samples. These are often refereed to as "Bartender" licenses, and that is essentially all they are. Very simple, very reasonable. It would cost us, in West Allis, $97 for a two year license per employee.

This is something we already do in MN when throwing events and beer is served of any kind. It is required for our liquor liability insurance to be valid. Anyone serving alcohol of any kind should be properly trained, in the eyes of the law, to check ID's, verify age, and recognize over-consumption. This license is merely a way of ensuring that serving of samples is done in a responsible way.

5. The AHA is only involved in this effort (AB 290) as much as the fact that I am a member of the Governing Committee and I have been in touch with Gary Glass the entire time, and have deferred to him on judgment and opinion when taking action.  Gary has giving excellent support, guidance and advocacy for the homebrew shops in WI, and the homebrewers.  Although the efforts of Gary and the AHA may not all be visible on the surface, be assured they are involved and engaged.

6. I, and NB, truly think this bill is strong, makes sense for all homebrew shops, and will put any question as to serving samples and brewing on premise in the past. I do not think this will adversely affect homebrewers/WIHBA efforts in anyway, in fact I think it will help.

The WI government sees the economic vitality of the the homebrewing industry and customer base right now. They do not want to get in the way of it, and are looking to help in over-turning these interpretations and making sure homebrewing is once again vibrant and uninhibited in Wisconsin.

Further, I think this legislation, much like the legislation in Oregon, can be a blueprint for other states looking to protect homebrewers, and homebrew shops.

We, as an industry and hobby, have been operating in some grey legal space for a long time. Some places are better the other to be sure, but the days of flying under the government's (Federal, State, county or municipal) are over. Homebrewing is just too big to go unnoticed. Being that, I think it is better to get proactive about working with these entities to find practical solutions.

7. NB is committed to helping the WIHBA in their respective efforts, and the efforts of homebrewwers across this country. Sometimes we get distracted, busy and perhaps lose connection with these efforts....AB 290 admittedly may suffer from this. Regardless, we had every single shop and every single homebrewer in mind this entire time, and we will continue to do so moving forward.

thanks

Jake Keeler

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General Homebrew Discussion / Brewing TV - Episode 45: Hop Madness 2011

« on: September 23, 2011, 06:04:27 AM »

Brewing TV celebrates another successful backyard hop harvest with a brew session and some over-the-top wet-hopping at home. Then we're taking a field trip to Hop & Brew School in Yakima, WA. Ever wondered how home and pro brewers get those wonderful hops? You're about to find out. All for brew, brew for all! [Original postdate: September 23, 2011)

http://www.brewingtv.com

all for brew, brew for all

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Events / Premiere Party for Brewing TV - Lift Bridge Brewing Co.

« on: August 18, 2011, 07:24:07 AM »

Brewing TV will be premiering epsiode 43: Lift Bridge Brewing Co. on 8/25. Attendees can enjoy one free pint of Lift Bridge's Hop Prop, from cask, courtesy of Stanley's NE Bar Room and Northern Brewer! If you're in the area, we'd love to see you there. Thursday the 25th, 7-9pm at Stanley's NE Bar Room Minneapolis.

http://www.stanleysbarroom.com/
http://www.brewingtv.com

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General Homebrew Discussion / Brewing TV - Episode 42: King's Coolship

« on: August 12, 2011, 06:27:45 AM »

The King is in the building! NB foot soldier and determined yeast junky Jeremy King (you remember him from Episode 4, right?) is back with yet another twisted yeast experiment. This time he's trying wrangle wild yeast from his environs in Milwaukee, WI for eventual commercial use. He's got a very interesting way of going about it - utilizing a coolship. Wild yeast, microscopes, fire, and fermented fish. You never know what you're going to get when you're hanging out with J-King. Prepare to be - KING'D!

http://www.brewingtv.com

all for brew, brew for all

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General Homebrew Discussion / Brewing TV - Episode 41: Stone Brewing Co.

« on: July 29, 2011, 06:24:25 AM »

original post date: July 29th, 2011

Brewing TV in the Stone Age! This episode we are at Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido, CA. We spend a day living the life at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, touring the brewery, and talking about the creative process with brewmaster Mitch Steele. Are you worthy of this episode? Heck yeah, you are -- so drink it up!

http://www.brewingtv.com

all for brew, brew for all!

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Events / Gordon Strong at Northern Brewer MKE!

« on: July 26, 2011, 12:34:07 PM »

Gordon Strong, Ninkasi award winner, Brew Strong show host, homebrew writer, and author of Brewing Better Beer will be on hand at Northern Brewer's Milwaukee store on July 29th for a book signing and Q and A session.

More details here: http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/retail-store-milwaukee

cheers!