August 19, 2021
Core Brewing Springdale
7:15 PM – Meeting called to order with toast by Forrest
Darin Dickson of Girls on the Run gave an update on the High Gravity Homebrew Competition. Unfortunately the board of directors is probably going to cancel the event due to ongoing Covid 19 concerns.
No new attendees.
Steve’s Brew Shop is for sale and apparently there are two parties interested in acquiring it. The transaction seems likely to occur before the end of 2021.
Discussion of alternative sites for monthly FLOPS meeting. While Core Brewing has been generous, the bar area was quite crowded and noisy during this month’s meeting. Alternatives discussed included Saddlebock Brewing and Fossil Cove Brewing. Any other member suggestions are welcome. Note: see below, there is a social planned for Saddlebock, gives a chance for everyone to see the space.
Barrel project – Keith contacted Sierra Nevada brewing and they were quite generous in sharing information about the anniversary Black Barleywine made to celebrate the 30th anniversary of New Albion. Keith is working to finalize plans for the brew.
Kevin and Randy met to discuss external promotions of FLOPS, but unfortunately many potential events have been cancelled. We are still planning a booth event at Brewtober Fest.
In regards to promotion, Randy discussed the opportunity to have FLOPS themed t shirts made using similar vendor as Oz club. Keith has been working with a friend whose daughter is expanding an embroidery business, which could afford us a chance to have FLOPS themed merchandise made at a low price.
North and South competition, i.e., Iron Brewer: the Oz club had selected beer styles for the 4th quarter of 2021 as well as the 2nd quarter of 2022. Even though the Big Cheese (i.e. Tom) was not present, the FLOPS membership who actually were present took it upon themselves to select 1st and 3rd quarter beers for the competition. Thus through careful consideration the following beer styles have been selected:
3rd Quarter 2021 – Barleywine (BJCP styles 17D English and 22C American)
4th Quarter 2021 – Winter Seasonal (BJCP style 30C)
1st Quarter 2022 – Czech Premium Pale Lager, i.e. Pilsner Urquell (BJCP style 3B)
2nd Quarter 2022 – Belgian Blond Ale (BJCP style 25A)
3rd Quarter 2022 – American Wheat Beer (BJCP style 1D)
Keith Linn’s NHC Gold Medal winning beer has been brewed at Saddlebock. The release party is planned as a FLOPS social for Saturday, September 4th at Saddlebock, time TBD.
Updates on competitions:
Track 94 Brewey in Seneca, MO is looking for homebrewers for an October 7th event
Red Coat Challenge in Denton, TX for English beer styles, deadline is September 17.
The Arkansas State Fair has opened for entries.
The Bluebonnet competition is currently planning for 2022.
And that Brewtober thing…
Keith Linn gave an educational presentation about a keg and/or carboy cleaning system utilizing a simple quarter horsepower sump pump and a five gallon plastic bucket. Very neat.
Motion to close meeting, seconded and adopted.
Brewer of the Month:
We had a tie this month:
Keith Linn – Octoberfest (Marzen style)
Kevin Elsken – Belgian Golden Strong Ale (Jesse Core wants to brew this, he claimed)
Ass of the Month
Since we had a tie for BOM it was only appropriate we had a tie for Ass of Month:
Tom Maddock (he was in Montana, and we were not)
Greg Newman (designated scapegoat)
