Presidents Message for January 2009

As the year winds down my thoughts return to all the good beer that MASH members have made and the good times we have had in the past twelve months. That along with brewing friends is the reasons I enjoy being part of the homebrewing community. I hope that all of your Christmas wishes where fulfilled and you and your families had a merry Christmas.

The report from the winter solstice party where all positive and it sounded like every one had fun. The members that attended told me that the food was good, the company was great and the beer was outstanding. The only negative I found was from me because I could not attend this year. We also held are monthly meeting at this time and accomplished some club business.

We where scheduled to hold the officer elections and after all was said and done the last years officers are serving another year. Librarian is Eric Johnson, Scroll keeper is Meredith Everett, Vice President is Russell Everett and President is Darryl Hickey. I know the officers are all looking forward to leading the fine homebrew club the up and coming year.

We presented the 2008 Brewer of the Year (BOTY for short) award to Scott and Denise Graham, Their combination of homebrew competition and our monthly BOTY competition points netted them this year¢s top honor. Congratulation to Scott and Denise for a job well done. Hail to the BOTY.

The 2009 BOTY competition which starts in December was a style that we made up to keep things interesting. The style was Fortified Beer which had to be made with - added alcohol, spirits, liquors, brandy, port, etc. There were seven entries with all sorts of ingredients added. The third place winner was Russell Everett, the second place winner was I Darryl Hickey and the first place winners were Scott and Denise. Thanks to all that entered and there are eleven more BOTY competitions to come this year so keep brewing.

January's BOTY style is Porters BJCP category 12. This includes category 12A. Brown Porter, category 12B. Robust Porter and category 12C. Baltic Porter so get brewing.

Enjoy the New Year eve celebrations that hopefully include lots of homebrew. May the new year be better then last year and I will see you at the January meeting.

You're President for another year;

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