August 2009 Newsletter

Welcome to the SAAZ August E-blast.

I apologize for being a little out of the loop the past few months.  As many of you know, we had 10 members participating in a BJCP Exam Study Course, with 7 members taking the exam on July 26th.  For those not familiar with the BJCP: the purpose of the Beer Judge Certification Program is to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer, and to recognize beer tasting and evaluation skills. They certify and rank beer judges through an examination and monitoring process.  We are all anxiously awaiting our results!

Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be August 16th at 2:00pm.   In continuing to look for new and different locations, the meeting will be held at Cocoa Beach Brewing Company at 150 N. Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach.  For those who haven’t been, it’s a family owned and operated brewery and pub.  They are located in historic downtown Cocoa Beach on Atlantic Avenue (northbound Highway A1A) between 1st Street North and 2nd Street North.  As of now, they are still working on getting a functioning kitchen, so the meeting will be a pot luck style (similar to the meeting at John Baldwin’s condo club house).  For more information check http://www.cocoabeachbrewingcompany.com/

A big hand to Rob & Dave Bennet, Ron & Paula Sup, Jack Bragg, Dani Paris-Exline, Suzanne Richmond, Joe Kintyhtt, John Baldwin, and Rudi Wehmschult for helping in the craft beer event at Downtown Discount Produce on July 25th.  Shenck was extremely happy with the members that helped pour their beer.  We look forward to seeing many great prizes at Commander SAAZ from them.  We also had a table set up with samples of our members’ homebrew and got a few new members to join.  Thanks again to those that helped.

Big recognition to Dave Webb and Joe Kintyhtt for their medal winning meads at the First Coast Cup in Jacksonville.  Overall, SAAZ received 15 points and moved to fifth in the state club standings.  Get all geared up, the next competition is our own Commander SAAZ.

Speaking of, remember to mark your calendars for Commander SAAZ Interplanetary Homebrew Blastoff on October 9 and 10 at the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn.  We will have early round judging September 26 & 27, and October 3 & 4 at Chet’s house in Titusville.  There’s still time to get some brewing in before entries are due.  Stay tuned for more details.

Sponsor Updates.
Florida Wine and Spirits (http://www.floridawineandspirits.com/) has been greatly improving their wine selections and tasting programs.  There is a link on their website to sign up for their newsletter which includes dates and times for all their upcoming tasting events.

Sunseed Co-op has a few new beers worth trying.  Look for High & Mighty Beer Co.
Brewed by Will Shelton.  All are 22 oz. bombers and unfiltered: St. Hubbins Abbey, Purity of Essences, Two Headed Beast, & Beer of the Gods.  Also coming Tuesday are Stone 13th Anniversary, DFH Theobroma, Pangea, & Chateu Jaihu.