I have been trying to get a homebrew club together for a while now, and I finally set a date for the first meeting.  Wednesday, March 24 @ 7:15pm.  However, we will not be meeting at the store, because of the limited space.  The meeting will be at The Bistro at Our Town in Exton, Pa.  The Bistro can be hard to find.  It is located in the same shopping center as The Giant, Sports Authority and next to Capriotti’s.

The first meeting is really going to be about getting to know each other.  We will need to think of a club name, so start thinking (B.U.Z.Z. is already taking ).  We will also need to decide what the best night of the week is for everyone.  I want everyone to have input on how the club should work, so this first meeting will be important.  Send me an email, mike@artisanhomebrew.com, or call, 610-873-4677,  to let me know if you want to attend.  I just want to get an idea of how many people to expect.  Thanks, and I look forward to sharing homebrew and ideas with everyone.

Keep in mind, there is already a great local club, called BUZZ, that meets @ Iron Hill W.C., every 3rd Monday of the month.  I also urge homebrewers to attend these meetings as well,  they are a great group of brewer with alot of good information.

Cheers, Mike

Starting today, January 29th, until the end of February, all 1oz bags of hops (in stock) will be 15 % off.

I went to Iron Hill, in West Chester, last night for the monthly BUZZ homebrew meeting.  I was hearing alot of talk about the new double ipa called Kryptonite, so I quickly ordered one.  The aroma was a blast of hops that hit hard, like a comic book caption- POW!  The taste pulls no punches either,- KABOOM!  In my opinion, this could be the greatest IIPA on the east coast.  So, for what it’s worth, I recommend going to Iron Hill before it’s gone. 

McKenzie Brew House is having a Belgian Homebrew Competition!  click here for more details.

Although we are closed on Mondays, Artisan Homebrew will open on Monday, December 21st from 11am to 7pm because of the holiday week.  We will be open 11am to 3pm on X-mas eve and closed on Christmas Day.

While Santa’s elves are busy making toys for those only on the  nice list, American brewers are busy making beer, and they don’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice.  Whether you like cinnamon and nutmeg,  malty beers or hopbombs, there is a holiday beer for you.  This is my top 5 American winter beers.

5. Flying Fish Grand Cru

4. Troegs Mad Elf

3. Anchor Christmas Ale

2. Rogue Yellow Snow

1. Sierra Nevada Celebration

One of the many great things about a homebrewer is his or her desire to share their experiences with others.  A new beer blog, titled We the People is doing just that.  I met Brandon, the blog’s creator, a few weeks ago and I was instantly impressed with his passion for craft beer and his love for homebrewing.  That’s why, when I found out he started a beer blog, it was quickly stored under my favorites tab.  I would suggest you check it out if you haven’t already done so. 

Other great sites:

BeerBits 2,  The Brew Lounge, The Beer Lass,  Liquid Diet,  SuburbanBrewing.

I just want to thank everyone that stopped by the Grand Opening Party.  Thanks to everyone that helped me throughout the day.  I’ll try to name everyone- Martha, Jeremy, Jackie, Greg R., Ron D., Adam, Mason Porter, Fred from Amazing Acres, Lance from Black Walnut Winery, Kelly, Martin, my Aunt Alice and Uncle Dave, and especially my Grandmother and my Mom.

Adam Beck will be bringing a keg of his Garbage Pail Ale to the Grand Opening party on Nov. 7th.  You can read more info on his beer at BeerBit2.

Label designed by my buddy Jeremy (I just wanted to mention that so the Garbage Pale Kids corporation sues him, not me, for copyright infringment;)

Or, should I say, “A Keg o’ Worms”.  Yesterday was the kegging of our Worm Trail Wheat Ale.  Worm Trail is an experimental hoppy, dark, wheat ale.  If it’s ready, it may show up at the Grand Opening Party on Nov. 7th.

Adam and Jeremy enjoying the 'almost' finished product.