KLOB is a club for both homebrewers and beer enthusiasts alike. Established in 1993, we have been striving to improve homebrewing as both a science and an art for nearly two decades.
KLOB holds meetings the third Monday of the month. Until further notice, we will be meeting at Old Dog's Pub (formerly Kraftbrau) in downtown Kalamazoo, across from Bell's General Store. If you would like to join in the fun and learning or if you would just like more information, please investigate the "Join KLOB" link to the left.
Those of you who were able to attend the May meeting might have seen a few video cameras and microphones roaming through the tavern. Those were Kevin Romeo and his team for the Michigan Beer Film, a "film that explores the explosive growth, both economic and artistic, of the Michigan craft beer scene". They are currently seeking donations at their KickStarter project:
There are lots of great rewards depending on the level you choose to pledge. You can donate as little as $1...every little bit counts. Also, spread the word to all your family, friends and co-workers to help them raise the money they need to get this film released. This is an excellent opportunity for the entire state of Michigan to keep building on the momentum we are having both locally and nationally putting us in the spotlight as truly great place for beer.
Did you know that Electric Brewing is more energy efficient than brewing withgas? The reason is the liquid gets heated directly from the inside out, rather thanforcing the heat into the liquid from the outside in.
Corey VanDyke is organizing another bus trip out to the Michigan Brewers Guild summer beer festival. Here are all the details:
What: 2013 Kzoo-to-Ypsi Summer Beer Festival Bus Trip (3rd annual)
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2013
Time: Bus leaves approximately 10AM, and returns approximately 8:30PM
Cost: $85 per person
Includes:
· Ticket into the festival ($35 cost) (if you have already purchased your own ticket to the festival, then subtract $35 from the price)
· Seat on the chartered bus (B&W charters)
· Small lunch on the way there
· Pizza for the ride home
· 3rd annual Kzoo-to-Ypsi Summer Beer Festival Bust Trip t-shirt
I currently have enough people to fill a 29 passenger bus. The next size up is 47 passenger, or a 56 passenger. With that being said, in order to extend this offer, I need a minimum of 15 additional people. I will be at the May 20th KLOB meeting, so if you are interested in attending the trip, please bring your payment (cash or check) to that meeting, and we’ll get you added to the list.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me:
Once again we are happy to announce our partnership with Bell's General Store in order to host another AHA Big Brew event!
For those not already familiar, Big Brew coresponds with National Homebrew Day (Saturday, May 4th) and is sponsored by the American Homebrewers Association. The idea is to celebrate all things homebrew by trying to gather as many brewers together to simultaneously brew as many gallons of beer as possible. We hope to have all-grain, extract and everything in between going that day. We will also be brewing the winners of our intra-club competition:
Member Bill Crocker wants to assist his friend Paul Weninger on the board of the local chapter of JDRF which raises funds to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Each year they hold a Gala with an auction as one of their primary fund raising activities. This year’s event is on April 19th in Grand Rapids. Since Bill and Paul both love homebrew, they are seeking donations of bottled brews which they would package homebrew with items from one of the local brew supply shops. They are looking for variety over quantity so if you even just a handful of beers you can share, they'd love to have them. Check out all the details of the event here:
We received this message from our friends at Lake Michigan College regarding their upcoming event:
We are hosting the Art of Beer Festival on March 23 this year. We will have over 50 different craft brewers represented with more than 150 beers available for sampling. Please help us spread the work the KLOB members. We would love to have your group out here. Below is a link to the facebook event page and the website. The brewer’s list is on the website if you want to check it out.
KLOB will be sending a number of representatives to the National Homebrew Conference in Philadelphia from June 27th to 29th. While there, we will be teaming up with other clubs from around the state as a "Michigan Coalition". That group will be hosting a table at the club-night and various shifts in the hospitality suite.
The biggest components of those duties will of course be OUR BEER! We're looking to take several kegs from our club to best represent our club. To that end, we will be having a competition at the April meeting to choose the top three beers our group has to offer. We will brew the winning recipes at the club Big Brew event in May so we can take a full batch of each to Philadelphia. We will not be targeting specific styles; it will be open to anything and everything you want to bring.
There is no limit to how many different beers you can bring but just make sure to bring enough for people to sample and judge. We suggest six 12 oz. bottles, three 22 oz. bottles or a 64 oz. growler of each beer. Also, it would be helpful to do a small write up about your beer including intended style (if applicable), ABV and any unique or remarkable ingredients.
Leave Kalamazoo: 10:00 AM
The Livery: 11:00am-12:30 PM
Greenbush: 1:00-2:30 PM
Round Barn: 2:50-4:20 PM
Bare Hands: 5:00-6:30 PM
Paw Paw: 7:00-9:15 PM
Return to Kalamazoo: 10:00 PM
There will be food available at many of the stops during the day so bring cash and credit cards. We don't want anyone drinking on an empty stomach. We also hope everyone knows to pace themselves throughout the day. Alcohol is allowed on the bus but they request plastic containers so plan accordingly. The club will provide a few coolers we can keep below the coach that we can get into between stops.
Please, make sure to make the proper arrangements for drop off and pick up at Shakespeare's Pub at 10am and 10pm, respectively. If you think you may need a cab, we recommend...
Bronco Taxi: 343-3000
Yellow Cab: 345-0177
Big Daddy: 492-9444
We are pleased to announce that we are officially set to begin ticket sales for our spring bus trip. The trip is scheduled for Saturday, April 6th. We will leave Kalamazoo from Shakespeare's Pub promptly at 10am and expect to return at 10pm. Our route will take us to the following locations:
The Livery (Benton Harbor, MI)
Greenbush Brewing Company (Sawyer, MI)
Round Barn Winery, Brewery and Distillery (Baroda, MI)
Bare Hands Brewery (Granger, IN)
Paw Paw Brewing Company (Paw Paw, MI)
We are already reaching out to each of these locations but if one should drop out, we have a few other options. At the minimum, we will be making at least 4 stops. Tickets will be available at both the February and March meetings. The prices are $15 members and $20 for non-members. This only covers the cost for transportation so you are on your own for food and beverages. We have made a reservation on a 47-passenger coach through B&W Charters. We can upgrade to a 56-passenger coach if there is demand but that is our limit. Get tickets for you and your family, friends and co-workers ASAP! Between meetings, tickets can be purchased through vice president Alex Mantakounis at Tempo Vino Winery in downtown Kalamazoo. If you have any questions, contact the officers or see us at the next meeting.
Club member Brad Wyant is hosting a get-together at his home. Here are the details:
We did one a few weeks ago and had a really good turn out. Definitely was over a dozen people. We had 3 brewers. I got convinced that I needed to brew 3 batches back to back, which was crazy...lol. My long term goal is to make this a regular thing with folks in the club. Maybe it bounces around to different locations.
Event details:
Brew-A-Thon...Round Two
Date: March 2nd starting at 10am and going til whenever
Who: Brewers and spectators
Location: 3209 Jacobs Circle, Kalamazoo (NE corner of Stadium and 8th)
Purpose: To brew as much as we can in one location!
Contact: Brad Wyant (269-599-6447)
Anyone wanting to brew should bring their equipment and supplies. I have a carbon filtration system for brewing water and cold garden hose
for wort chilling. We may have a driveway bonfire too. My garage is heated, but dress for the weather. Those attending the event are asked
to bring snacks and libations. It is also highly encourage to enjoy responsibly and arrange for safe transportation home.
