Presidents Message for March 2009

We opened the meeting with introductions of our four guests Jon, Mark, Jose and Kevin. I think we made them welcome and hope to see them at future meetings.

We then dove right in to the report on the Coconut Cup with Denise leading the charge. Here is some of the numbers. We had 244 entries; we held 40 flights and 2 best of show one for mead and one for beer. We had guest judges for SAAZ, TBB, WPB Draughtsman and FLAB. We at MASH would like to thank all of our judges and stewards for making to event. This year we went to a three bottle entry format and added a best of show for meads. These two changes where successful and will be used in future Coconut Cup competitions. We discussed the possible rule change that some other competitions are adopting that would limit the number of entries a single brewer many enter. This will have to be looked in to further and will be discussed again.

She then announced the MASH medal winners and presented medals to those MASH members that did not attend the main event or left before the award ceremony had taken place. The following list is the MASH members that where awarded a medal: Scott Ross won a bronze in the Scottish and Irish ale category. Colin Knight won a bronze medal in the Porter category. Jeff Donnell won a gold medal in the Belgian Strong ale category. Steven Zavalney won a bronze medal in the Fruit beer & Spice/herb/vegetable beer category. Bob Beard won a silver medal in the Melomel Mead category. Scott and Denise Graham won a silver medal in the Strong ale category and two bronze medals in the Specialty beer and Coconut beer categories. Russell Everett won a gold medal in the Strong ale category and two silvers medals in the Belgian ale and Coconut beer category. Darryl Hickey won a silver medal in the Specialty beer category and a gold medal for Coconut beer category.

Again I would like to thank all of our members for helping with this years Coconut Cup. And remember we need to go and judge at the other Florida homebrew competitions.

The Hurricane Blow Off is coming in April so brew up a storm, enter those beers and let go judge the West Palm Beach Draughtsman.

We voted on renewing our incorporation documents. This will cost under a hundred dollars. The vote passed.

Russell announced the BEER ROULETTE party that will be held at their house on March 8 at 1:00 pm. You ask what a beer roulette party is. Well there are six cases of assorted beers that must go. Bring a cover dish, a bottle opener and a good sense of humor.

The BOTY style was English Brown Ales, this includes 11A Mild, 11B Northern Brown and 11C Southern Brown. We had two entries one by Jeff and the other was by me. We all knew with all of the time and effort that the Coconut Cup took that there would be a less entries then we would like to have. But next month there is no excuse so brew brew brew. OK the pep really is over on to the winners. As you might have guessed there was no third place winner but there also was no second place winner. How you may ask, well both beers where so good that they both got first place and the points will be split between the two brewers.

Next Month's style is category 9: Scottish and Irish Ales.

That is it for now so have a good Saint Patrick day celebration. Remember on Saint Patrick’s Day there are only two types of people: Irish and ones who wish they where Irish.

MASH President Darryl Hickey
Miami Area Society of Hombrewers President.
Hickey Family Brewing & Meadery.
Brewing at ten feet above sea level with bar stool correction.