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After hanging out by the pilot system, we moved into the Duckpin Room and Jon gave us the rundown on the ChiliBrew XV logistics. The state has approved the homebrew permit, the city permit is nearing completion, and the church has confirmed the date. Please help to promote the event! The chilibrew site(https://www.chilibrew.org/) and ticketing page are both online (https://baltibrew.ticketspice.com/chilibrew-xv-2025) so let's get the word out. If you are interested in competing, please sign up! Blue Water Baltimore is our non-profit this year and they've been very active coordinating with Jon on the event.

Iron Brewer "Open Category" was too close to call, ending in a tie between Max's Horchata Stout and my UK Wheat Ale w/ Nelson. The Iron Brewer stein has seen better days, and will be replaced by the club this summer.

Looking towards April, it's time for another social and the group aligned on a trip to Howard County to check out Sapwood and Black Flag. Please plan on meeting at Sapwood at 2PM on Sunday, April 13th!

Misc:

• We are looking to procure a Seibels sensory panel for a pallet reset this Summer/Fall.
• Next Iron Brewer will be in June - and the theme is fruit!

Cheers!

Kris

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Chilibrew returns to Baltimore this Spring to unite hombrewers and chefs in our 15th celebration of the DIY spirit! Chilibrew is a chili and homebrew pairing competition being held on Saturday, April 26th from 2-4:30 PM at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore. Tickets are exclusively available online until 1:30PM on April 26th, 2025. Those up for the challenge may act as both brewer and chili chef.

Chilibrew XV attendees serve as judges for the event, casting their votes for Best Chili, Best Homebrew, and Best Pairing from our competitors' submissions. An accompanying Judges Panel will also determine their favorite selections in a hedonistic review. CA$H prizes will be awarded to the winners of "People's Choice" and "Judges Choice" for all 3 categories, with a Bonus Prize being awarded to the Best Fermented Condiment (optional for competitors).

But more than anything, attendees and competitors alike will have the opportunity to mingle and share food, drinks, and ideas in the service of local nonprofits.

Over the years, Chilibrew has donated thousands of dollars to local, nonprofit beneficiaries in the Greater Baltimore Area. This year, proceeds will benefit Blue Water Baltimore, whose mission is to restore the quality of Baltimore’s rivers, streams and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy and thriving communities. Coincidentally, 2025 also marks Blue Water Baltimore's 15th year as an organization!

Whether you’re looking to have a great time in support of a great cause or throw your culinary craft into the ring, we hope you’ll join us on April 26th at 2 PM at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore for Chilibrew XV.

Must be 21 years of age or older to attend/compete/volunteer (bring photo ID). No outside beverages are permitted. All tickets include a custom Chilibrew XV glass and unlimited sampling of homebrew and chili while supplies last.

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There will be NO MEETING at Union on the second Sunday this Month.

The post July Meeting Replaced with Diamondback Event appeared first on Baltibrew.

Many thanks to Becky for coordinating the sensory panel. The group "enjoyed" the off-flavor panel and there was a lot of great conversation as we level set our palettes.

In previous meetings we've talked about the potential of rebranding the club to be more inclusive in that we enjoy all manners of fermentations, not only brewing beer (although that is still the primary focus). Max is going to send out a questionnaire to gauge interest/opposition in the idea and solicit potential names from those who want to move forward. Be on the lookout.

July is a tough month for a meeting with many folks popping in and out-of-town. Diamondback is hosting a homebrew event on Saturday, July 27th that several members were interested in supporting. The brewery is looking to grow the event from last year. We are going to forgo the regular club meeting in favor of encouraging members to support this event. Becky is reaching out to Diamondback and will distribute information.

Cheers!

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The brewers are going to start their brewday around 8AM and are aiming to finish up around 3:30 or 4PM. If you are planning to come hang during the brew closed toe shoes are a hard requirement to be in an active production space, and waterproof boots are highly encouraged if you have a pair. The final recipe is at the end of this email. As with any brew day, things could run long so please be patient if things run over.

We will aim to start the monthly meeting at 3 PM. We will be meeting in the conference room, not the Duckpin room. Please bring homebrew to swap as we have plenty to talk about as we plan for the rest of 2024! There is a vintage expo running 9-5 at Union that day so parking may be a bit tight so if you want to make transportation arrangements accordingly.

Dark Siason (5/19/2024 @ Union)

• Weyermann Pilsner - 65.5%
• Weyermann Rye Malt - 17.9%
• Flaked Oats - 10.8%
• Carafa Special 2 - 5.8%
• (some rice hulls as well, because rye)

Mash in at 113, steady rise to 172 over 2 hours

• 30 BU Perle at 60 minutes
• Whirlfloc at 15 minutes

Targeting 16.4 plato (1.067) OG, Knocking out at 75F with 10-12ppm target oxygen.

The post May 19th Meeting & Wort Pickup Confirmed appeared first on Baltibrew.

Many, many thanks to all the competitors and attendees that showed up for Brübakes IV! The event was a big success, selling out and raising $1,400 for the Station North Tool Library. Here's a quick rundown of the results:

Winners by judges vote:

• 1st place best pairing: Kevin Granger with Szechuan Saison and Lemon Pistachio Bars 
• 1st place best beer: Kris Quinn with French Saison
• 1st place best baked good: Laura Kooyman with Raspberry Bouquet
• 2nd place best beer/Judges honorable mention: Rob Kooyman with Raspberry Bouquet

Winners by attendee vote:

• 1st place: Elizabeth Urban and Joanna Hagan with Hatters Special Brew and Down is up and up is down
• 2nd place/honorable mention: Kris Quinn with French Saison and Zucchini Bars w/ Chocolate Grist Topping

Brübakes would not have been possible without the planning committee of Chuck, Cynthia, Jude, Kevin G, Greg, Jon, and Max. A big thanks goes out to all of them.

May Activities

With regards to the wort pickup and May meeting, Jon has relayed that things are looking promising for the May 19th date. He is in conversations with the brewers at Union and will communicate when things are official (it's still not 100% yet).

For now, we are planning to NOT meet for a group brew this weekend as we have discussed earlier in the year. We ARE planning for a normal meeting on Sunday, May 19th at Union, with the exact time TBD. If things change we will relay them as soon as possible.

Union asked us to claim at least 50 and up to 90 gallons of Dark Saison wort (~65% pils, 15% rye, 10% flaked oats, 4% midnight winter wheat, +acidulated malt, hopped to 25-30 IBUs, target about 7-7.5% after fermentation) at materials cost. We have about 70 gallons spoken for at the moment, so there is still time if more folks would like to step forward.

Cheers and happy May!

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