HDBA High Desert Brewers Association

High Desert Brewers Association The High Desert Brewers Association is an Idaho Falls based homebrew club dedicated to the god of beer. The club has been in existence since January 1995.

Halloween Party Details

HDBA October 22nd, 2008

The Halloween Party is scheduled for Friday, October 31st, Halloween night, at the New Sweden Hall (Grange) at 7 PM.  No real theme this year but there will be door prizes and best costume prizes.  Please bring a dish to share and we’ll have the beer.  There will be a small fee of $5/ person to help with expenses.  It’s a great time to bring along friends and new members.  You can also pay your dues.

Busy but not gone

HDBA October 1st, 2008

Hi all,

Yes, we are still in business; we haven’t been hiding just busy.

This next Friday, October 3rd, 5:30 PM, at the new brewery, we will renew the “First Friday” get together.  We will have beers to drink (it is a beer club after all), some finger food and lots of good conversation.  Just bring your fine self down to the top of Trask Street off the green belt for a good time.

Party season will soon be upon us so remember to watch for updates on club activities.

Hope to see you all on Friday,

Cheers,

Bob

Homebrew competition results

HDBA September 4th, 2008

The competition page has been updated with the results from the fair

check it out

Idaho State Journal on beer judging

HDBA September 4th, 2008

BLACKFOOT Four brown bottles with gold caps and no labels formed a row at the center of the table. Every judge was given a stack of saltine crackers, a bottle of water and a sufficient supply of clear, plastic cups to grab a fresh one after each sample.

Read More

August update

HDBA August 13th, 2008

Hi y’all,

Just a few of reminders:

Don’t forget that Thursday is the baseball game.  Look for us at the front gate to hand out tickets for those of you who have reservations. Game time 7:15.

The state fair homebrew competition is coming up on August 31.  So far we have about 20 entries and 1 judge.  HELP!  We need an organizer, stewards and judges.  Please let us know ASAP if you would like to help.  You get into the fair for the day free.

Entries are also needed.  For $5 you can enter as many beers, ciders or meads as you like.  Information is on HDBA.org.

The BJCP exam class, (beer judge) has just started if you still wish to participate, let me know ASAP.

Remember to watch the web site to keep up on all the goings on.  HDBA.org.

C U Soon, Bob

Baseball and BJCP Class reminder

HDBA July 31st, 2008

Tomorrow we need to know how many of you are going to the baseball game on August 14th.  We have to order tickets so please let us know.  Remember all paid up members get a ticket, a dog and a beer.  You can pay your dues at the game.  So far there have only been 2 responses, so get cracking.

The BJCP exam class will start on August 7th.  Right now I only have 5 people signed up and 4 of them aren’t in the club.  If you wish to participate I need to know ASAP.  The classes will be about every two to three weeks until the exam on the 25th of October.  The emphasis will be on tasting and evaluation.  If you wish to come to learn about beer tasting only, that’s fine too, you don’t have to take the exam.  Those of you taking the exam will also be given reading assignments from the BJCP web site to help you pass the exam.  We will taste and discuss the reading.  The first class will be at the Riverdale Grange Hall on Thursday, August 7th at 7 PM.  At the first meeting we will decide the other times and places for the meetings.

Cheers, Bob

Events update

HDBA July 16th, 2008

Hope you’re having a fine and fun summer. We would like to add to your enjoyment with a few activities.

Here’s what’s on Tap:

July 31 -Start of the beer judge exam class. This class will prepare you to take the BJCP Exam in October. The class will concentrate on beer evaluation and answer questions on the assigned reading from the BJCP web site. The classes will be at the Riverdale Grange and possibly other locations.

MANY OF YOU HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE CLASS. IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE SENT ME A NOTE SO I CAN PLAN EVEN IF YOU HAVE TALKED TO ME (I have CRS).

August 14 -“Baseball! Thursday night, 7:15, at the ball park. We provide a ticket, a hot dog, and, of course, a beer for all paid members. We need to know how many of you are coming no later than July 31 (sooner is better). [Kathy and I will be there Frank] this is always a good time.

August 31 -Eastern Idaho State Fair Home-brew Competition This is a call for judges, stewards, and entries. WE ALSO NEED AN ORGANIZER. Send me a note with any questions. Folks taking the exam class will be invitedto judge and/or steward as part of your training.

September -“ Date TBD, golf and picnic. We are planning a golf (and I use the term loosely) tournament at Cedar Park. Goofy golf and/or miniature golf so we can all participate. Go to http://www.cedarparkgolf.com/ for info. Stay tuned.

October 25 - BJCP exam. The exam is open to all but I suggest you take the review class. There is a $50 fee for first time exams and $30 for retakes. Take the class and save up your exam fee.

October 31 -“Halloween Party! Details to follow.

December 12 -“Christmas Party We are returning to the traditional Christmas party. Some folks missed Santa and we all missed the gift exchange. Details later.

Guest Speakers -“ We have been thinking about inviting some beer industry luminaries to regal us with stories and wisdom. If you know of someone you would like to have speak or know of someone who would like to speak let us know.

If you would like to help out on any or all of these events drop us a line.

Hope to see you soon,

Cheers,

Bob

Bob speaks…er types

HDBA June 20th, 2008

Howdy,

Just a note to let you know we are still around.

Now that the beer fest is over we will be getting back to club business.  We are working on a baseball game, a judging class and the state fair homebrew contest.  The date of the baseball outing will be coming soon.

The judge class will be starting soon.  I need to find a place and get some times.  There will be about 4 or 5 sessions between now and the end of August.  The exam is tentatively scheduled for August 23.  This will allow all those that take the test to judge the Eastern Idaho State Fair Homebrew Competition.  The sessions will concentrate on beer tasting and evaluation.  We will assign reading on the BJCP web site and then answer questions and discuss the material at the next meeting.

Many of you have expressed interest in the class so here’s your chance.   Send me a note if you would like to take the class or if you would just like to take the exam.  If you are going to take the class the first assignment is to go to BJCP.org and read the study material in the EXAM CENTER – Exam (interim) Study Guide.  It would be helpful to print out a set of the newest Style guideline.  Shortly after the Forth of July weekend we will meet.

Watch for a note on the times and places.  Go to the web site (HDBA.org) for updates.

See you soon, Bob

NABA competition results

HDBA June 12th, 2008

Pictures can be found here

Competition results can be found here

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May club update

HDBA May 2nd, 2008

Hi club members,

The bus trip to Poky was great fun; don’t miss the next one. I would like to thank Bruce Steege and Wolfie for putting it together. We’ll get a few photos of the doings on the web site.

You can now get to the web site by going to HDBA.org. Thanks again to Slats.

Carl has a Carhartt jacket which was left behind at the Holiday Party at the Grange Hall. Let me or Carl know if it’s yours.

I know I have asked before, but if you are interested in taking the BJCP Beer Judging Exam let me know soon so I can order an exam. We will have a few horse sessions and tastings to prepare. Dates, times, and places will be determined when we all get signed up.

There is a new homebrew organization forming in Pocatello. If you are interested I will pass on the information to you. I have talked to the organizer and will attend their first meeting on May 12th at PVB to answer questions and give them encouragement.

Up coming events:

Beer Fest 2008.

Later this summer we will have our usual beer club baseball outing. We would also like to get a golf outing together for this year. If anyone would like to help out with that send me a note.

On the trip to Pocatello a number of people expressed interest in a bus trip to the Great American Beerfest in Denver. The GABF will take place on October 9th through 11th. The plan would be to go early ( 0 dark 30) on Thursday morning and return on Sunday. We would get a block of hotel rooms in Denver at about $100 a night. We will try to wangle some tickets for the sessions of the fest at a reduced rate so that we can all attend at least one session. If possible we will put together a tour of a brewery or two in the area (A-B Fort Collins, New Belgium Fort Collins, Coors Golden, etc.). If we wish to do this we need to get on it right NOW! Let us know if you are interested in going and /or would like to help set up the trip by May 15th.

Another Brew Day???

We need suggestions on any and all things to help move this thing along. Send them in.

Cheers, Bob

Send suggestions and questions to theslats@hdba.org

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