THE FERMENTOR
"Where HOPS news comes to a head"
Volume V No. 3...... Homebrewers of Philadelphia and Suburbs ......April/May 1998
Table of Contents
Froth Zymurgical Musings Gardening with Beer - Spent Hops H.O.P.S. Reminders Hops Swaps Worts Happening Club Officers
FROTH...
Judging from the last week's weather, your President is pretty glad that the First Brewer (George liked that better than 'First Lady', imagine that...) iced down that hoppy keg of American Wheat! It was quite a change from the Stout that was pouring at the post-St. Patrick's Day March meeting. It was also a great time to meet at Yard's Brewery in scenic Manayunk, overlooking the greening hills above the Schuykill River. Eighteen HOPS (and future HOPS) members gathered at the crack of one on March 29th for a guided tour of the new facility by Jon Bovit, one of the original Yards boys. Plied with copious amounts of Brawler, we gawked at the two story fermentors, warmed ourselves around the bricked brew kettle and cooled off in the fermentation room. Thanks again for the hospitality, Jon!
At the March meeting, we brewed the Oktoberfest, named 'Uncle Fester', for the September party. We used lots of German pils, dark Munich and carahelles as well as Belgian aromatic, and hopped this bad boy with Perle and Hersbrucker. Should definitely create some electricity! It was decided that the Maibock would begin to be consumed at the Cinco de Maibock HOPS Swap Meet. If there's any left over (!), it will be consumed at the BBQ. Remember, for the Swap Meet, any thing you bring must be removed if not taken when you leave! More details will follow after the April meeting. There was a proposal to move the HOPS-BOPS to some time in the Spring. The idea is that it would be further along into the brewing season. It would also be after the holidays, and likely to attract more entries (more entry fees!) and new brewers (potential HOPS members!). I think the idea is a good one. The decision should be made by the end of April to allow enough time to change the date. (Another compelling reason to change the date for this year is that both Joe Uknalis and Rod Brundage, volunteering as competition coordinators, are profoundly busy and otherwise unavailable in November.) There is also a proposal from Joe to not register with the AHA. Please let us know what you think of these recommendations, either at the next meeting or via e-mail.
We decided to return to the legendary Taconnelli's for our next HOPS Night Out April 26th. Yes, they want us back! (See accompanying article.)This event is always packed, so respond to M.O.E. Mitch, or to the list via e-mail. THE CORRECT TIME IS 4:30 pm. Locations also mentioned for future Nights Out were Lucia's (Italian in the Northeast) and Taj Mahal (Indian in Center City). Any other suggestions should be forwarded to Mitch for careful exploration and research. The compatibility of beers in relationship to the nominated restaurant also needs to be assured, so recommended beers can also be forwarded to Mitch!
Plans for the April 15th meeting include a run to the 30th St. Station Post Office, if necessary, for those last minute filers.
See you there! --Nancy
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Zymurgical Musings
by Mitch Danzig
A regular column from our own Minister of Entertainment
Eighty five. "What is eighty five," you might ask. To some it is just a number between eighty four and eighty six. But to me the number is magic. In 1985 I started homebrewing. Maybe the lottery will reach 85 million when I reach pick the right combination of numbers. These are good reasons, to be sure, but eighty five warms my soul because that is the combined number of people we had attending our last two HOPS NIGHT OUT. The first HNO of 1998 saw 55 hockey and beer fans sit in prime first level seats at the Spectrum to watch our beloved Phantoms beat the Budweiser out of those hated Redwings. The Phantoms jumped out to an early lead and battled with the surging Redwings to preserve the victory. Great game, not great beer. Let's move on.
Our most recent HNO brought together 30 hungry grain beverage enthusiasts for a fabulous dinner at Fuji in Cinnaminson, NJ. The 9 course extravaganza started with a refreshing cucumber and cellophane noodle salad. The miso soup that followed was warming on a cold night. Next on our hit parade was a pleasantly bitter broccoli rabe with a sesame dressing. The crab spring roll packed with sweet, shell free crab meat was oil-less and crispy, served with a mesclun salad tossed with sesame vinnagrette. Succulent broiled shad roe was next which means spring truly is here. No Japanese meal would be complete without some pristinely fresh uncooked seafood so we then dug into a sashimi platter consisting of tuna, red snapper, yellow tail and marinated salmon. When the plump, Connecticut blue point oysters with teriyaki sauce arrived some folks thought this was enough food but the main event was still to come. The entree was a surf & turf course consisting of perfectly fried Chilean sea bass and a boneless quail stuffed with wild rice. We finished our feast with enormous blood oranges.
Since Fuji is a byob restaurant we took full advantage of that policy. Beverages included homebrewed beers, mokkali and chang ju as well as microbrews and sake. Three hours later and $50 per person lighter we made our way home with our bellies full and spirits high.
Our next HOPS Night Out is another return to an old favorite. Tacconelli's Pizza in Port Richmond will host our group on Sunday, April 26 at 4:30 pm. If you are unfamiliar with Philadelphia's original brick oven pizza, where the hell have you been?
In the past this event has proved to be very popular. As is always the case with Tacconelli's,
Reservations are required. Call me at (215) 386-8350 during the day or (215)745-0710 in the
evening by April 21 to reserve your spot. Don't miss out on this opportunity, call soon!
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Gardening With Beer - Spent Hops
( Submitted by Jane Glenn)
If you have a brewery nearby, try to buy "spent"hops to use as a mulch or to dig in - they add organic matter as well as a small amount of nutrients.
Nutrient Content
| Nitrogen | 0.5 per cent |
| Phosphorus | 1-2 per cent |
| Potassium | 0.5 per cent |
| Trace elements | Full Range |
The residue from the brewing industry, spent hops have a distinctive strong smell, although this soon disappears when the hops are left out in the open. They make an excellent soil conditioner and are particularly good for mulching. The problem is that spent hops are very difficult to get, but if you are fortunate and live near a brewery, then it is worth calling on the brewery and asking for a few bags. If bought direct from the brewery, spent hops will be wet and can either be dug in fresh or spread over the surface. They can be composted but it is not necessary. If you do use them fresh, keep them well away from the stems and leaves of young plants to avoid scorching them.
It is possible to buy spent hops dry but, in this form, they are really more a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen - about 2.5-3.5 per cent. Coverage: 1-1.5 Kg (2-3 lbs.) per sq. meter/yard.
From The Organic Garden Book by Geoff Hamilton (1987, Dorling Kindersley Ltd.)
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*HOPS is the only independent homebrew club in the Midatlantic and we are proud of it. We maintain ourselves solely through dues, fund raising and member assistance and sweat.
*Newsletter is published 6 times a year alternating with a frame-able "Wort's Hoppening" postcard of events 6 times a year. If the postal carrier is burying your mail in a ditch somewhere let Karl know. He will find it intriguing and will likely do something about it too!
*Regular HOPS Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7:30 pm at Home Sweet Homebrew (215)569-9469.
*We'd like to start a telephone tree amongst the membership for short notice and/or interesting events (like BEER ALERTS - you might want to give us your pager number too!) Please make sure that Steve Seymour (return address on this newsletter) has your current phone number. You will be randomly assigned another member to call...not in Hawaii.
*For most of you who haven't - tell us when your birthday is. We have plans. Include the year or we'll make it up.
*If you run across anything interesting relating to brewing pass it along via any kind of mail
and we'll include it in the newsletter.
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HOPS SWAPS
Enjoy the Maibock we brewed in December while you haggle. But, If you can't swap it you
must take it with you when you go!
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APRIL 26 HOPS NIGHT OUT - Tacconelli's, Famous Brick Oven Pizza in Port Richmond. 4:30pm Reservations Required. Call Mitch @ 215/386-8350 day 215/745-0710 eve.
MAY 1 HOPS First Friday in Olde City at the ERGe office (Peter Hecht). 6-11pm. Children welcome. Bring dish to pass. 124 North Third St, 2nd fl. For more info call Peter 215/925-2030.
MAY 3 HOPS SWAPS MEET at Steve and Gwyn's 431 Valley Road, #2 Melrose Park (Elkins Park), Bring anything you no longer want or need to trade for something else you want or need. Drink the Mai Bock we brewed in December while you haggle. Bring the truck!
MAY 2 National Homebrew Day / Bourbon Tasting HSHB for info 215/569-9469
MAY 12 Philadelphia Beer Dinner. HSHB for info 215/569-9469
MAY 20 Regular HOPS Meeting @ HSHB, 7:30 pm
JUNE 9 First Brewer's birthday and Monk's dinner too! Nancy will be accepting homage and fabulous gifts.
JUNE 28 10th Annual HOPS BBQ! Brew now! If anyone has a Crab steamer pot call Mitch
(hint, wink, nudge).
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HOPS, Homebrewers of Philadelphia and Suburbs, is an organization dedicated to serving its members through education in all aspects of homebrewing, beer appreciation, and organization of competitive and social events. Annual membership is $15 per person or $20 per family. Members must be at least 21 years old. Call Steve Seymour at 609-778-7688 for information.
The Fermentor is HOPS' monthly newsletter, written and published by club members. Send suggestions and articles to Karl Smith, 204 Mattison Ave., Ambler, PA 19002, 215/628-2210. email:krs@pond.com
On the World Wide Web: http://www.netaxs.com/~shady/hops/
President: Nancy Rigberg
Vice President: Sam Cohen
Treasurer: Steve Seymour
Secretary: Kevin Smith
Membership: Steve Seymour
Minister of Entertainment: Mitch Danzig
Club Promotions: Nancy Rigberg
Newsletter Editor: Karl Smith
Competition Coordinators: Joe Uknalis & Rod Brundage
The fine print: HOPS does not reccomend or condone any illegal or harmful activities
associated with alcoholic beverages. All members are expected to act responsibly and to be
responsible for their own actions.
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