July HOPS Meeting Review and Upcoming Beer Events

Hiya HOPS Heads,

We had a great meeting this week at the Coyote Moon in Pagosa Springs and had the opportunity to taste some mighty fine American Pale Ales (APAs). Many of you know this style via the definitive beer in the subcategory, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. This iconic beer highlights the Cascade hop and helped vault the American craft beer movement into prominence in the early 1980's.

We sampled a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale among a few others at our meeting Tuesday, July 22. Beers in the APA style, BJCP category 10A, tend to be well balanced hoppy beers with good supporting malt. To learn more about the APA style, check out http://bjcp.org/2008styles/style10.php#1a, and check out the list below of the beers we sampled.

  • Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA
  • Bridal Veil Rye Pale Ale: Telluride Brewing Company, Telluride, CO
  • Sweetgrass APA: Grand Teton Brewing Company, Victor, ID
  • St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale: Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO

Coming up at the August meeting on August 25, we'll step it up a notch on the hops and dive into India Pale Ales, BJCP category 14 (http://bjcp.org/2008styles/style14.php). Prepare to bring an interesting array of English, American and Imperial IPAs if your color group is responsible for beer in August.

You might have an interest in a few upcoming beer events, including a homebrew competition and some fun festivals. Check out the list of a few events below for more information and keep hopping along!

  • Archuleta County Fair Homebrew Competition: Pagosa Springs, CO, Thursday, July 31; turn in entries Wednesday, July 31, between 1 and 8 pm at the Archuleta County CSU Extension Building at the Fairgrounds off Highway 84 and Mill Creek Road; no fee to enter and you'll have your homebrew judged by certified judges...more info at http://archuletacountyfair.com/exhibitor-rules-and-regulations/
  • San Juan Brewfest: Durango, CO, Saturday, Aug. 23...more info at http://sanjuanbrewfest.com/
  • Ska Anniversary Party: Durango, CO, Saturday, Sept. 6...more info at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/720721
  • Bands, Brews, Etc.: Pagosa Springs, CO, Saturday, Sept. 20...more info at http://pagosasprings.whattodo.info/Pagosa-Springs-Co/Events/Pagosa-Springs-Community-Events/Bands-Brews-Etc---2014-ColorFest/59932/ 

Stewards Needed for Pagosa Brewing Company Stout Competition in January

Pagosa Brewing Company is hosting a stout competition on January 4, 2013, and we'd like a few club members who are not entering a stout into the competition to help with stewarding activities for the competition. Contact Jason Cox at jcox@coxinnovations.com and Tony Simmons at tony@pagosabrewing.com if you are interested in learning more about helping steward the competition.

Archuleta County Fair beer entries due in just over 12 hours

We've been having some problems with email notifications so I'm resending this message. Sorry if you get it multiple times.

Jason

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Don’t forget to enter your beers into the Archuleta County Fair beer competition on Wednesday, August 1, 2012. You only need to enter one 12-oz bottle for each style you enter into the competition and there is no fee. Make sure to drop your bottles off at the Archuleta County Extension Building at the fairgrounds from 1 – 8 pm on Wednesday and see below for the fair book that has full rules and regulations.

 

http://archuletacountyfair.com/exhibitor-rules-and-regulations/

 

Hopraise!

 

Jason

Pagosa HOPS Club Reminders

We have several things going on around beer in Pagosa Springs right now and I want to send out a few reminders. Please read the items below and follow up accordingly if you’re interested.

  • HOPS member Doug Neel recently published a book, The Food and Feasts of Jesus: Inside the World of First Century Fare, with Menus and Recipes, and he will be signing copies of the book and talking about it this evening at 6 pm at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Pagosa Springs at 225 South Pagosa Blvd. Get more information about the book at http://www.amazon.com/The-Food-Feasts-Jesus-Religion/dp/144221290X.
  • We have a homebrew competition coming up at the Archuleta County Fair in Pagosa Springs next week. We can accept entries from residents outside the county, too, and contact me or Randy if you need to get beer to use for the competition. The entry is free and we only need one 12-oz bottle. Drop your entries off at the extensions office at the county fairgrounds on Wednesday, August 1, and judging will take place on Thursday. You can win ribbons and cash prizes as well as great feedback on your beer from professional brewers. Get more information on the entry process at http://archuletacountyfair.com/exhibitor-rules-and-regulations/.
  • The Archuleta County Fair runs a beer garden during the fair and we need volunteers to help man the booth for four-hour shifts. Contact me or Randy if you are interested in signing up for a shift.

Dredhop Homebrew Competition: Boulder, CO, February 25, 2012

Greetings HOPSians,

If you're interested in entering one of the largest and most prestigious homebrew competitions in the state, consider the Dredhop Homebrew Competition hosted by Hop Barley and the Alers out of Boulder, CO. Competition judging occurs in Boulder on February 25, 2012, and entries can be sent directly to competition organizers if you're interested. Entries will be accepted from Feb. 1 to Feb. 12. The Alers also need judges and stewards so feel free to register if you'd like to help or need some BJCP points.

Get full information on the competition at http://hopbarley.org/content/dredhop. You can also email me if you'd like more information about the Dredhop.

Cheers!

Jason

Beer / Wine / Mead Entries Due In Tomorrow (the 3rd)

Hi all,

Just a reminder that if you are going to be cool enough to enter some fun fermentables into the county fair that it needs to be done tomorrow, the 3rd. All you need to do is take a look at the BJCP guidelines (which can be found in the fair booklet or here: http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2008_Guidelines.pdf) and determine which category your entry is, then head down to the county extension office at the fairgrounds tomorrow between 1:00 and 8:00pm. It only takes one bottle and does not cost anything. 

Remember, not only will you get some great feedback on your brew and have an opportunity to win a few dollars (and bragging rights), but if you win you could have an opportunity to brew a Pro-Am beer with Tony at Pagosa Brewing Co.

Cheers, and hope to see your entries!

Randini