Next meeting: July 19-21st, 6:00 pm - ?
This month’s meeting will take place at the campout the weekend of July 19, 20 and 21st. The potluck barbecue and oyster fest will be on Saturday night. (Marshmallow fight following!)

July 2002 Issue
Buy a Frosted glass Alers mug!
How about an Alers frisbee or a license  plate frame?

By Brian (I'd increase the gravity) Thatcher

Greetings Alers!

This month’s meeting will take place at the campout the weekend of July 19, 20 and 21st. Hopefully we will be sampling some commercial Hefeweizens, along with large quantities of excellent homebrew. Hope to see you there!
(Directions farther down for those who need them.)

Maibock Judging Results

At the June meeting we judged the homebrewed Maibocks. There were a total of 5 entries to be judged this time. Once again all entries were full of flavor and quite drinkable. So without further ado, here are the results.

1. Brian

2. Terry

3. Kevin

4. Larry

5. Randy

Hefeweizen Judging

Next month we will be judging homebrewed hefeweizen, the perfect style of beer for the summer month’s. There is still time to get a batch started and be ready for next meeting. I am planning on brewing mine the Sunday of the campout weekend with my brother, who is planning on brewing an extract version the same day. Hopefully we will be in condition to brew that day. Once again, here are the style guidelines:

17A. Bavarian Weizen

Aroma:  Vanilla and clove-like phenols and fruity esters of banana  are common.  Hop aroma ranges from low to none.  No diacetyl.  Some aroma of wheat may be present. 

Appearance: Pale straw to dark reddish-gold in color.  A very thick, long-lasting head is characteristic.  High protein content of wheat may impair clarity in an unfiltered beer, and clarity can be deliberately cloudy in a Hefe-Weizen from suspended yeast sediment.  The filtered Krystal version is quite clear. 

Flavor: The soft, grainy flavor of wheat is essential.  Hop flavor is low to none and hop bitterness is very low.  A tart character from yeast and high carbonation may be present.  Spicy clove phenols and fruity esters, most prominently banana, are often present.  No diacetyl.

Mouthfeel: The texture of wheat imparts the sensation of a fluffy, creamy fullness that may progress to a surprisingly light finish.  A high carbonation level is typical. 

Overall Impression: A pale, spicy, fruity, wheat-based ale.

History: A traditional wheat-based ale from Southern Germany that is a specialty for summer consumption.

Comments: These are refreshing, fast-maturing beers that are lightly hopped.  The Hefe-Weizen version is served with yeast sediment stirred into it.  The Krystal version is filtered for excellent clarity.

Ingredients: A high percentage of malted wheat is used which typically constitutes 50% or more of the grist, the remainder being pale barley malt. Weizen ale yeast produces the typical spicy and fruity essences during a relatively warm fermentation.  Hops are used for a small amount of bittering only.  Water character will vary.

Commercial Examples: Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Pschorr-Brau Weisse, Spaten Club-Weisse, Schneider Weisse, Julius Echter Weizenbier.

Campout Time

Yes, once again it is that time of year, time for the club campout. We will be at Buck Lake again just like last year. Unlike last year, I am planning on making an appearance and gracing everyone with my awesome presence. On June 23rd, a few of us were at the campsite for the work party. Attendance was low, which meant that those of us who showed up spent the whole day slaving to make the area presentable for everyone who shows up. In attendance were myself, Terry, Larry, Duane and his father.

Here are the Directions

• Take South I-5 to Olympia
• Exit 104 (N-101, Aberdeen, Port Angeles)
• N-101 to Shelton, Port Angeles exit (North, Hwy-3, Shelton, Bremerton)
• Go towards Shelton off exit.
• When you get to Shelton follow the N-3 signs through town.
• About 7.5 miles to Pickering Rd (Turn right) (Jarrel Cove, Hartstine Island)
• About 1.5 miles to E Lake Phillips Rd (Turn right).
• 1 mile to E. Phillips Lake Loop Rd (turn left) (first intersection, big sign, picture of lake)
• About 1/2 mile (on left) the Buck Lake Campground sign (turn left).
• Stop at gate to sign in as an Impaling Aler.

or

• South I-5 to SR-16. North-16 past Sedgwick Road to Gorst.
• Take Shelton/Belfair exit (South-3)
• About 24 miles to Pickering Rd (turn left) (Jarrel Cove, Hartstine Island)
• About 1.5 miles to E. Phillips Lake Rd (Turn right).
• 1 mile to E. Phillips Lake Loop Rd (turn left) (first intersection, big sign, picture of lake).
• About 1/2 mile (on Left) the Buck Lake Campground sign (turn left).
• Stop at gate to sign in as an Impaling Aler.

Inside the campground follow Buck Lake Blvd., the first left around the lake, and go around the left side of the big fire pit.
At the corner of Buck Lake Blvd. & Wallace Way there will be cars parked. Park there and walk up the hill to the group site and to get further directions about setting up your stuff (or drive in and get yelled at for driving too far!).

Don’t forget to bring plenty to eat and lots of beer!

Potluck on Saturday night.

Cask Festival Tickets Now Available

Tickets are now on sale for the Washington Cask Beer Festival on Saturday October 26th. There are two sessions, one from 12 - 4 and the other from 6 - 10. Tickets are $30 and includes all samples. There are limited numbers of tickets for each session, so if you want to go, get them early. Information and ticket links at http://www.washingtonbrewersguild.org/news_events-caskfest.htm.

A Memorial

Don Johnson, Sr. passed away from complications related to diabetes on Saturday evening July 6th. He was in his mid 80s. He was well known for his role as Santa Claus at the annual Impaling Alers Homebrew Club's Christmas party.
(click on the picture for a closeup)

Don 'the elder' was a member of Clan Gunn. His wife, Cara (a MacDonald), and his son, Don 'the younger', and daughter, Victoria, are all active in the Scottish community.

Please feel free to e-mail the family (Don 'the younger's' e-mail):
dlj8@mindspring.com

There was a memorial service Sunday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m. at United Christian Church of Renton. Alers attending were Nancy & Jason Johnson, Dan Reiger, Sue Baney, Caroline Zebrowski, Duane Roush, Tom Barnes, Larry, Bettie, & Ross Rifenberic, Terry & Heidi Elston, and Kelly Guerrero. (If we missed your name - please let us know.)

Monthly Meeting Schedule

Club Events Calendar

These are this year's club events.
More information and exact dates will be added as they get closer.

Upcoming Events

Portland International Beerfest, July 12 - 14
Holladay Park at Lloyd Center, Portland. http://www.portlandbeerfest.com

Oregon Brewers Festival, Portland, July 26-28
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland. www.oregonbrewfest.com

Great British Beer Festival, August 6-10
Olympia, London. www.gbbf.org

Seattle International Beerfest, August 23 - 25
Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center. http://www.portlandbeerfest.com

Fremont Oktoberfest, September 20-22
Under the bridge in Fremont, www.washingtonbrewfest.com

Great American Beer Festival, October 3-5
Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO. www.beertown.org

Washington Cask Festival, October 26
Alki Room, Seattle Center. Two sessions, 12 – 4 and 6 to 10.
www.washingtonbrewfest.com