February 2023 Lehigh Valley Homebrewers Newsletter
Greetings Brewers,
This month we'll be headed to McCall Brewing Collective in Allentown, where we'll be able to sample 2021 Homebrewer of the Year winner Ryan Celia's collaboration brew, Porter to Providence, which also won an AHA gold medal in 2019. A big thanks to Country Club Brewing for hosting our January meeting, with some excellent beer. They are a welcome addition to what's become a lively brewing scene in South Bethlehem.
The 2023 Homebrewer of the Year competition begins in March, so there's still time to squeeze in an Irish Stout or any smoked beer style for bonus points. As mentioned at January's meeting, this year we'll be awarding sub-prizes for each of the three legs in additional to our overall winners. Remember to check the sale forum on the website for deals on gear to set you up for success.
We're still in the process of sorting out the Membership renewals on the website, and expect to have them open before the March meeting; watch your email for the renewal link and annual membership survey.
As Spring approaches and whatever lingering hope for (or threat of) snow dies, it seems everyone is getting ready to host a festival. April is going to be an especially busy month, so start planning for that now. Allegheny Creek Brewing Company has offered to provide interested club members with RAMP training, we're currently targeting March 19th at their brewery. Watch the events page for details as we finalize that and the other events for April!
See you Tuesday,
Steve Anthony
LVHb Club President
Future Meetings:
Meetings are open to anyone (21 and older) who home brews (beer, wine, cider, mead) or is interested in learning about home brewing. Our club has over 30 certified judges and several members who have "gone pro" by opening their own brewery, meadery, or distillery! - So bring your latest craft creation and get some constructive feedback and/or accolades!
UPCOMING CLUB EVENTS
March weather is said to "come in like a lion, and go out like a lamb", but the club events are following the opposite pattern. A relatively quiet March is leading into a busy April!
March 19th - RAMP training at Allegheny Creek Brewing / Mt. Bethel
April 1st - Club Barrel Brew Judging at Keystone Homebrew Supply
April 8th - Pilger Ruh Homebrew Competition / Pottsville
April 15th - LVBG Steelstack Festival / Bethlehem
April 29th - West Reading Craft Pretzel & Beer Fest / West Reading
OUR BREWERS (are awesome!)
Congratulations to our brewers who participated and placed in War of the Worts!:
John Litak - 2nd Place, New Zealand Pilsner - Hobbit Cologne
Bill Gade - 1st Place, Cream Ale - Cool Front
Josh Hellwig - 3rd Place, Schwarzbier - Stormin' Norman
CLUB COMPETITIONS
Lehigh Valley Homebrewer of the Year
There's still time to brew for March! Check out the competition listing for details for the full year.
UPCOMING BJCP COMPETITIONS
Full list is available here.
Recommended Local Homebrew Competitions:
Competition | Date | Registrations Due |
3/18/2023 | 2/22/2023 | |
3/31/2023 | 1/31/2023 | |
4/29/2023 | 4/14/2023 | |
06/03/2023 | 05/06/2023 |
OTHER CLUB INFO
The details for most of our happenings (news, events, etc.) will either be included in the monthly newsletter or will be found on the LVHB Website Club Info page. More random thoughts, photos, and links will be shared via the club Facebook page. Find photos of our brewing activities on Instagram! @lehighvalleyhomebrewers
Are you an AHA member? As we prepare to do club membership renewals, it's a good time to consider adding or renewing an AHA Membership for yourself or your brewing buddy. Use our link (click the image below) and the club gets credit for your membership!
Member Benefits
Keystone Homebrew Supply offers 10% off online and in-store purchases for LVHB members as well as a points based loyalty reward program. They offer weekly local delivery on Saturday at Bonn Place in Bethlehem (just place your order by Thursday). Keystone offers full sacks of grain as well as a large selection of brewing and wine making equipment. Also, for most local competitions they provide a drop off point so you don't have to mail in your entries! https://www.keystonehomebrew.com/ Hop and Grain offers members 20% off purchases on their online store, free shipping and flexible local pick-up options. You'll find them very accommodating, even if you require a special order. https://hopandgrain.us/
Brew Hardware offers members a 5% discount as well! https://www.brewhardware.com/Default.asp
GrogTags offers members 15% off with the code on the member page - get creative with your labels and prepare for the 2023 label competition!
There's no excuse not to brew because you can't get ingredients or equipment! Thank you to the local shops that support our club!
See all the benefits of membership as well as how to join here.
