Messages

226

Events / Re: AHA Conference is SOLD OUT!

« on: February 05, 2012, 10:56:14 AM »

Personally I think the issue is/was waiting until February to allow people to purchase the conference. Usually it quietly opens in November and it does not sell out for quite some time. My suggestion would be to go back to the old ways for 2013.

I can see your point, but IMO having more information available about the conference is better.  The more speakers/events that are defined, and perhaps even if a schedule of seminars was defined when tickets go on sale, the less likely people will cancel, no?

cheers--
--Michael

227

Events / Re: AHA Conference is SOLD OUT!

« on: February 03, 2012, 11:22:03 AM »

I can't imagine the local efforts necessary to put one of these things on; even if there is demand among AHA members are there really enough volunteers in more than a handful of cities to put on a bigger conference?  I suppose we'll likely find out in coming years.

I don't think there's any danger of conferences with less than 200 people again!

cheers--
--Michael

228

Events / Re: AHA Conference Registration Opens Feb 1

« on: February 02, 2012, 10:01:45 AM »

The $1000 price means you are not logged in as an AHA member.  If you do have a valid membership and are having trouble logging in, contact our members services department, as they can walk you through the login process: 888-822-6273.

The Hyatt is now sold out of rooms on Tuesday and Wednesday, due to another group that's in the hotel before the AHA Conference.  We're working on getting rooms for earlier in the week at the group rate at the Westin.  Right now you can book at the Westin for Wednesday the 19th through Sunday the 24th.

nevermind...you're fast!

229

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Woo Hoo.... CYA all in June

« on: February 02, 2012, 09:52:52 AM »

got the hotel done and signed up for everything but the banquet.
Can't wait!

cheers--
--Michael

230

Events / Re: NHC Hotel Room Booking Issues?

« on: February 01, 2012, 09:49:00 PM »

I don't see any rooms with two beds still available, but ones with 1 king bed still work fine.

good luck--
--Michael

231

Events / Re: AHA Conference Registration Opens Feb 1

« on: February 01, 2012, 12:14:28 PM »

thank you for the reminder.
Got my hotel, but am trying to figure out who is going with me before I sign up for the actual conference.

I don't suppose someone in the know could give periodic updates here as to ticket sales? 
Sort of like GABF:  "--- is 68% sold out"

can't wait!!!
cheers--
--Michael

232

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Trucking wort?

« on: January 19, 2012, 01:27:55 PM »

yeah I feel bad sometimes when their brewers (or whatever we're calling them) ask me for feedback on their beers and I tell the truth.  They seen to understand though.  I have to remind myself that all they are controlling is temperature and carbonation so it's not like it's that guy's fault their Oktoberfest is a caramelly sweet mess, for instance.

I guess the cost of trucking wort is less than the savings elsewhere.  Whatever.  Would love to see some autonomy in their locations but I guess they've got a lot invested in this way. 

cheers--
--Michael

233

Equipment and Software / Re: Better Bottle Failure

« on: January 12, 2012, 10:21:11 AM »

my two oldest ones were junked last fall after developing cracks and in one case a leak.  Both were 3-4 years old and probably not treated as well as they should have been.  Not too worried though; have 6-8 more that are newer and I always check for cracks now.

cheers--
--Michael

234

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 12/16 Edition

« on: December 19, 2011, 07:33:51 AM »

brewed my last batch of the year, a roggenbier, late last night.  Bubbling away this morning.
42 batches in 39 weeks.  Why am I so tired?   
 
cheers--
--Michael

235

Homebrew Competitions / Re: 2012 NHC 1st Round - NW Region - April 21st

« on: December 16, 2011, 10:58:07 AM »

Any idea when other regions are going to be announced and where can I find a list of all the regions? 

looks like the host cities at least are mostly decided, as well as a few of the actual drop-off locations.
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/competitions/national-homebrew-competition/participate/entry-shipping-drop-off

That is the full list of judging centers - note the expansion from last year too, one additional US judging center.

right...I was pointing to "Northern California" since a specific city isn't listed yet.

cheers--
--Michael

236

Homebrew Competitions / Re: 2012 NHC 1st Round - NW Region - April 21st

« on: December 16, 2011, 10:11:56 AM »

Any idea when other regions are going to be announced and where can I find a list of all the regions? 

looks like the host cities at least are mostly decided, as well as a few of the actual drop-off locations.
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/competitions/national-homebrew-competition/participate/entry-shipping-drop-off

237

All Grain Brewing / Re: Storing Bulk Grain

« on: December 14, 2011, 07:36:04 AM »

I use plain buckets with Gamma Seal lids.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24282&catid=686

cheers--
--Michael

How much grain does a 6.5 gallon bucket hold?  20-25 lbs?

That 20-25 lbs amount will easily fit in a 5 gallon bucket  About 26-27 lbs IME.  So scale up a bit from there for a 6.5.

238

All Grain Brewing / Re: Storing Bulk Grain

« on: December 14, 2011, 07:02:17 AM »

I use plain buckets with Gamma Seal lids.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24282&catid=686

cheers--
--Michael

239

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: BJCP Exam Question

« on: December 13, 2011, 08:47:21 PM »

I am being offered the chance to just do the tasting, and others have suggested it is easier to take the tasting part by itself.  If I can keep the better score (which I've been told is the case) then I don't see why I a leaning towards taking the whole test again.  I have no aspirations about gaining a national rank but I could probably add a few points to my written score.  Plus I've always been one of those geeks who likes to take tests, and I have a week off at the end of the year to do a little cramming.  I'm still debating this though.

yeah you'll get 1 hour for the tasting, which is easy for judging 4 beers.  Now that you have some judging experience, you'll do great!

240

The Pub / Re: Christmas Lights

« on: December 13, 2011, 07:20:10 PM »

whichever reply is closest to "hate them, wife loves them, wife thinks "WE" should put some up, and waits around for the other half of "WE" to do it."

yeah, that one.