[snax]

The AHA welcomes input from members on homebrewing topics, blog ideas, article pitches, and anything else you would like to see covered on the AHA website or in Zymurgy for 2020.

Feel free to comment in this thread, or email the AHA Subcommittee directly at ahagc-content@brewersassociation.org.

Thank you!

[denny]

Over in HBT and /r/homebrewing, there is recipe list ("NHC GOLD MEDAL HOMEBREW RECIPES 2004-2017") that is frequently mentioned when people ask about recipes or when they ask about how to learn more about beer styles. 

Currently, the site suffers from many broken links as the site links to recipes that were on the AHA wiki (wiki.homebrewersassociation.com).

Assuming that something 'frequently mentioned' is also valuable, would it be worthwhile to work towards replacing (or helping repair) this list?

I was very sorry to see the recipe wiki go, and argued for it's continued existence. Unfortunately, virtualkky how one used it and it was a large expense.  I what share your sentimentsof but I'm not sure what can be done.  Do you have any ideas we could work on?

[denny]

Do you have any ideas we could work on?

The "Gold Medal Recipes" page (link: http://www.alternativecommutepueblo.com/2011/10/ahanhc-gold-medal-winning-recipes-for.html) is a relatively simple list of the NHC winning recipes organized by BJCP category.  With the closing of the wiki, many of the links on this page are broken.

Could a similar page be built and maintained (updated yearly) by AHA?

I can't speak for what the AHA will do, but I'll pass along your request.

[dannyjed]

How about reviews of homebrew equipment like the new stuff coming out. I don’t have a lot of money to throw around and it would be beneficial to read what others have seen as the pros and cons with things like conical fermenters, pumps, burners, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[snax]

How about reviews of homebrew equipment like the new stuff coming out. I don’t have a lot of money to throw around and it would be beneficial to read what others have seen as the pros and cons with things like conical fermenters, pumps, burners, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great idea, we will share with the AHA web and magazine staff!

[BrewBama]

If I may, I’d like to add the term ‘unbiased’ to the proposed equipment reviews. So many of the reviews I’ve read are from a brewer who receives the equipment from the mfr and after a bit of schmoozing asks the brewer for a review. I’d like to see more of a Consumer Reports-like process applied to similar products where the reviewers are not beholden to the mfr. IOW: I wouldn’t want to know what the ‘company man’ thinks. I’d want to know a true pro vs. con review.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[dannyjed]

If I may, I’d like to add the term ‘unbiased’ to the proposed equipment reviews. So many of the reviews I’ve read are from a brewer who receives the equipment from the mfr and after a bit of schmoozing asks the brewer for a review. I’d like to see more of a Consumer Reports-like process applied to similar products where the reviewers are not beholden to the mfr. IOW: I wouldn’t want to know what the ‘company man’ thinks. I’d want to know a true pro vs. con review.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Very good point. I see this could be a sensitive issue given that many of brewing equipment companies advertise in Zymurgy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[denny]

If I may, I’d like to add the term ‘unbiased’ to the proposed equipment reviews. So many of the reviews I’ve read are from a brewer who receives the equipment from the mfr and after a bit of schmoozing asks the brewer for a review. I’d like to see more of a Consumer Reports-like process applied to similar products where the reviewers are not beholden to the mfr. IOW: I wouldn’t want to know what the ‘company man’ thinks. I’d want to know a true pro vs. con review.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Very good point. I see this could be a sensitive issue given that many of brewing equipment companies advertise in Zymurgy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And I kinda take offense at the idea that people who are given equipment can't review it fairly.

[dannyjed]

I promise to report a fair review if I’m given equipment. I believe that can be done. Are you listening Blinchmann, Pico, Spike?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Robert]

If I may, I’d like to add the term ‘unbiased’ to the proposed equipment reviews. So many of the reviews I’ve read are from a brewer who receives the equipment from the mfr and after a bit of schmoozing asks the brewer for a review. I’d like to see more of a Consumer Reports-like process applied to similar products where the reviewers are not beholden to the mfr. IOW: I wouldn’t want to know what the ‘company man’ thinks. I’d want to know a true pro vs. con review.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Very good point. I see this could be a sensitive issue given that many of brewing equipment companies advertise in Zymurgy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And I kinda take offense at the idea that people who are given equipment can't review it fairly.

As long as there's full disclosure.   I recall an equipment review over on Brülosophy where Marshall disclosed that the manufacturer had given him the equipment on condition that he review it, and also that he had only accepted it on his own condition that they understood he would be completely honest and there was a possibility that he might completely pan it.   That's the way it can and should be done.  To do a full-on Consumer Reports style rundown would require removing the manufacturers from the loop entirely, by having the items independently purchased for review.  I'm sure that's quite beyond the financial means of the AHA and Zymurgy.

(OTOH,  if a manufacturer is confident in their product, I can hardly think of a more reputable and qualified venue to submit it to for honest feedback than the amassed expertise within the AHA.)

[BrewBama]

And I kinda take offense at the idea that people who are given equipment can't review it fairly.

No offense intended. This is the intent of my comment:

... that he had only accepted it on his own condition that they understood he would be completely honest and there was a possibility that he might completely pan it.   That's the way it can and should be done.  ...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[denny]

And I kinda take offense at the idea that people who are given equipment can't review it fairly.

No offense intended. This is the intent of my comment:

... that he had only accepted it on his own condition that they understood he would be completely honest and there was a possibility that he might completely pan it.   That's the way it can and should be done.  ...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think that's an assumption you can make about a lot of people.

[duncan]

Do you have any ideas we could work on?

The "Gold Medal Recipes" page (link: http://www.alternativecommutepueblo.com/2011/10/ahanhc-gold-medal-winning-recipes-for.html) is a relatively simple list of the NHC winning recipes organized by BJCP category.  With the closing of the wiki, many of the links on this page are broken.

Could a similar page be built and maintained (updated yearly) by AHA?

Howdy! All the NHC gold recipes are available to members on HomebrewersAssociation.org. We currently have them through 2018, but 2019 will be up in the next few months.