Well, after a brief setback, the 13^th annual Bay Area Brew Off is scheduled for February 6, 1999. We will be holding the competition at our (sort of) traditional location of Hooligans Pub, formerly Lyons Brewery Depot in Dublin. It seems a lot more open, lighter, and smell-free. The new owners are doing well, and are happy to have us back.

Entries will again be accepted in eight style categories. Two bottles are required per entry, and the cost is $6.00 each. You can drop off your entries at HopTech in Pleasanton, and they will be stored in the cooler at HopTown Brewing. Drop off your entries between January 12 and January 23, 1999. One entry per style, please, and specify which style and special ingredients as needed. For mead, specify still or sparkling, and traditional, melomel, cyser, pyment, or metheglin.Categories:

American Pale Ales (American Pale Ale, American Amber ale, American Wheat)English Pale Ales (Bitter, Extra Special Bitter, IPA)Porters (brown and robust)Stouts (dry, foreign, and oatmeal)Lager(Maibock, Traditional Bock, Doppelbock, Vienna, Maerzen, Dunkel, Schwarzbier) Holiday BeerBarleywine/WheatwineMead

We will need volunteers for the competition. Charlie has already volunteered to revise his role as Chief Steward. Ken and Roger will again coordinate registration of entries. Mike will again serve as scorekeeper. Anyone who would like to serve as steward or judge should contact Charlie or me.

We will also be actively seeking sponsor donations of money or merchandise. If you know you local pub owner well or if you routinely talk to your supply shop owner, talk to him or her about donations for us. We’d really like eight of some item (gift certificates are great) or $50 check to defray costs of the competition. We will post lists of sponsors at the competition, in the newsletter, on the web page, and during the awards presentation.

As for other competitions, we as a club did very well this year. We have won one or more ribbons at the Bay Area Brew Off, LA County Fair, Alameda County Fair, Queen of Beer, Jack Russell competition, MASH competition, San Jaoquin county fair, and hopefully, Music City Brew Off and the State Homebrew Competition. In addition, club members have judged at: The San Jaoquin County Fair in Stockton; the Jack Russell competition in Camino; the AHA National Homebrew competition in Nevada City; the World Cup of Beer in Berkeley; the Small Brewers Festival Homebrew competition in Palo Alto, and the State Homebrew Competition in San Francisco.

Next year, I’d like to see us improve as a club. I’d especially like to target the three competitions for homebrewer of the year. These are the mayfaire in LA, the State Fair, and the State Homebrew Competition. Perhaps the club paying shipping costs would be a way to encourage entrants.