Next meeting: May 16th 7:30 pm
 

May 2003 Issue
Get your Alers stuff!

By Brian (I'd increase the gravity) Thatcher

Stout Results

At last month's meeting we judged homebrewed stouts. There were a total of 7 entries from four brewers. Here are the results with sub style if given:

The next style to be judged it IPA which is scheduled for September. Kevin is scheduled to discuss the style and brewing practices for IPA at the June meeting.

AHA Northwest Regional

Over the weekend of May 3rd and 4th the Northwest regional for the National Homebrew Competition was judged. In all there were 522 entries, which sets a record for the northwest. Thanks to a great turnout of judges, all beers were able to be judged avoiding the necessity of having a judging session the next Saturday.

From a quick scanning of the results it looks like there were only two Impaling Alers who entered beers in the regional, myself and Scott Douglas. Both of us had some success and will be sending one of our entries to the final in Chicago in June. I will be sending my Stout and Scott will be sending a Belgian Witbier.

http://www.beertown.org/events/nhc/1st_round.html

Summer Microbrew Festival

The Washington Brewers Guild host their traditional Father's Day Brewfest, the 4th Annual NWsource.com Summer Brewfest, on the weekend of June 14th and 15th at St. Edward State Park, on the shores of Lake Washington in Kenmore. www.washingtonbrewfest.com

Summer cannot officially start until the NWsource.com Summer Brewfest kicks it off with a celebration of what the Northwest is famous for – premium handcrafted microbrews. The Summer Brewfest has become one of the premiere summer festival in the Northwest and features two days of food and hand crafted beer tasting, craft and import booths, live music and exciting festival activities. Picturesque St. Edward State Park again provides a gorgeous tree lined park where families with children of all ages can enjoy a picnic in the park and partake in the many activities of the festival If you have questions call the hotline at 206-633-0422 or e-mail info@boldhatproductions.com 

Admission
Adults $15 advance purchase or $20 at the gate.
Price includes a 6 oz souvenir tasting glass and 5 script.
To drink, one must be 21 years and have valid ID.
Those under 21 are admitted free and must be accompanied by a parent.
Many non-alcoholic samples will be served.

What Does the Modern Drunk need? A Magazine!

The merry month of May is here, and just like clockwork the April issue of Modern Drunkard has arrived on newsstands.

Modern Drunkard is a magazine devoted to the history and lore, the theory and practice, the joys and pains of getting plastered, plowed, bombed, ripped, hammered and blotto.

Based in Denver, Modern Drunkard began six years ago as a tiny zine and evolved last fall into a glossy national magazine with delightful full-color graphics and a circulation of about 30,000. It even comes out regularly: Each month's issue arrives about a month late.

Its philosophy is aptly summed up in "Let's Go Get Drunk: Eastern Europe," a handy travel guide in the April issue:

"Alcohol is perhaps the single most effective means of bringing together people of different backgrounds, creeds and nationalities. You give me Pat Robertson, an abortionist illegal immigrant homosexual communist Jew, a case of good beer, and a liter of Wild Turkey, and I'll bring you back two guys with permission to date each other's sisters."

Obviously, Modern Drunkard is not the most politically correct of publications. But if you possess an irreverent sense of humor, it's as refreshing as the first gin and tonic of spring.

Like many magazines, Modern Drunkard publishes advice articles -- stories with titles like "The Lost Art of Staggering," which contains this handy tip on the proper way to stumble drunkenly down a sidewalk:

"Warm up by weaving, bobbing, swaying. Once you're in the groove, try a pitch and add some yawing. Then get a bit drunker . . . and move on to a full-tilt reel and finally the Grand Stagger. Let the booze guide you, you are a ship, alcohol is your sail and the whole damn world is your sea."

Even the magazine's ads are entertaining. Most of them are for bars in Denver and you've gotta love a bar whose advertising slogan is "Haven't you been a good girl long enough?"

Modern Drunkard is available on your more tipsy newsstands for $4.50 a copy or by subscription for $24 for six issues from www.moderndrunkardmagazine.com

Win a Trip to Scotland

McTarnahan's Brewing is giving away two roundtrip tickets to Edinbugh,  Scotland and $1,000. Tell them why you love Highlander Pale Ale and you could be on your way to an unforgettable adventure.
http://www.macsbeer.com/events_contests_04rbentry.html

Win a Trip to Scotland or Ireland!

Buy a raffle ticket from Jason Johnson or John Navin for a trip for two to Ireland or Scotland! Help support the northwest's own Irish community! Just $2!

Monthly Club Meeting and Events Schedule

Some of the events are tentative at this point and new ones may be added. There also seems to be a possibility of having a representative from Merchant du Vin at one of the meetings to talk and offer samples. We may also try to have one of the Ralph's from Hop Union over for a meeting.

Upcoming Events

Washington Summer Microbrew Festival, June 14th-15th
11am to 8pm
St Edward State Park, Kirkland
$12 advance, $15 at gate; 6 oz cup with 4 tickets
http://www.washingtonbrewfest.com/

Seattle International Beerfest, July 11th-13th
Mural Amphitheater, Seattle Center
http://www.seattlebeerfest.com

Oregon Brewers Festival, July 25th-27th
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon
http://www.oregonbrewfest.com/

Great British Beer Festival, August 5th - 9th
London Olympia in Kensington, West London
http://www.camra.org.uk/SHWebClass.asp?WCI=ShowCat&CatId=235

Fremont Oktoberfest, September 19th, 20th and 21st
Fremont
$20 for 6 oz cup and 6 tickets
http://www.fremontoktoberfest.com/

Great American Beer Festival, September 25th-277th
Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado
http://www.beertown.org/events/gabf/index.htm