Homebrew - night of the living beer

June 20, 11:57 AMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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A kiddie pool for adults only.  Barefeet required. Photos by Charlie
Papazian

They simply call it "Homebrew Club Night," but the tag doesn't do justice to the spirit of what happens one night a year.  Nearly 40 clubs from all across America come together to put on showcase of the past, present and future of beer in America at the annual American Homebrewers Association National Homebrewers Conference. 

Hundreds of kegs and bottles of homebrewed ales, lagers, hybrids and honey meads were on hand and in hand representing the innovation, tradition and creativity of what has become known as the most creative beer culture in the world.

Innovation?  How about a “Black Kölsch.”  Technique?  How about a “Stone” ale and lager, the brew literally boiled with white hot rocks superheated over a wood fire and immersed into the kettle of brew.  Tradition?  How about the smoothest German-style bock beer or the dazzle of a perfectly hopped English-style ordinary bitter served on a hand pump.  Creativity?  How about an IPA aged with cedar wood.

I wouldn’t title this story “Night of the Living Beer” without a connection to a bit of wackiness.  I loved Hangtown Association of Zymurgy Enthusiasts  Ale Camino   – 350 IBU – a real El Camino decked out and loaded with beerphenalia.  Then there was the Maltose Falcon’s “homebrew slot machine beer server.” 

Photo right: Charlie Papazian and Ken Grossman (founder/owner of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.  Ken gave keynote adress to homebrewers at conference on Friday reviewing his startup adventures from homebrewer, to homebrew shop owner to brewery startup in the 1970s. 

Chico (California) Homebrewers decked out a mannequin with a photo of yours truly, toting a pistol that poured freshly brewed stone beer.  I couldn’t resist the pun, “barrel served ale.”

There was plenty more on hand and in hand as the crowd of 1,000 delighted the encounters of a night with living beer.