<Sigh> Summer ran circles around me this year. No, we did not forget about last month’s newsletter. I exerted all the influence in my being to get the officers to approve a total abolishment of the month of August. I wanted to just call it Morejuly. The month just slipped through my fingers. The summer is too short. I write this blurb as my last act before I disappear into the great wild north for the UP Beerfest. If I don’t make it back, Ric is in charge.
What has happened since July? There was the Michigan Homebrew Festival. Let me say it again, it is the best festival. PTB brought it strong this year. A presidentially HUGE thank you those that put in a ton of work this year. Kathy Troxell, Ian Purvis, George Lawlor, Mies Martin, you guys really made it happen. Even my wife, Mrs. Thunder, got into the act. She usually is not enthusiastic about (actively against) anything beer related, but this time she reluctantly agreed to give it a try, and can’t wait for next year. It was also good to see record number of members come down for the day on Saturday. We had a good showing in the medals!
We set up and dressed up in a golf theme. There was a sand trap, putting green, 19th Hole flag, golf tourney style scoreboard for the taplist, and a dancing gofer. We were all dressed as ridiculous golfers, and one Happy Gilmore. While we did not win the “Dead Grass” award for theme and largest club participation, we certainly made a huge impact. Rumor is that it was a 3-way tie between us, Kuhnhenn Guild of Brewers, and the Motor City Mashers. KGB won with their Russian cold war spy theme. Motor City brought the party with “Beerfest” the movie theme. Next year, next year.
At the booth we gave away 3 bags of grain for people that did well at our putting green. We also had a carboy full of golf balls that people had to guess the number of balls. One lucky gentleman from Pontiac Brew Tribe guessed nearest and took home 10,000 bottle caps courtesy of Siciliano’s Market. These games and prizes really brought in a lot of traffic on Friday night.
Other than that, the summer is a blur. With family gatherings, beer festivals, then the ramp up for the kids with school and fall sports, it just gets away from me. This fall is gonna be a busy one too. Like I mentioned earlier, there is UP Beerfest the second weekend in September. The O’connors Homebrew Competition is open now. On the 28th is Oktobrewfest X. Lots of special things planned for our 10th outing this year. Costume Party, special toast, a new award for the biggest gamers at the party, and more prizes!
Another new event this year is the Brews in the Grove Beer Festival put on by the Beer City Brewers Guild. This will be at Riverside Park on October 19. All Grand Rapids area breweries will bring special one-off beers and their Pro-Am entries. The Pro-Am winner will be announced at this festival. Tickets are available on eventbrite for $45. Check the club page for links and details as they come available. Also coming up soon is the 3rd annual PTB Club Bus Trip. Meet at Thornapple Brewing Co. on Sunday October 27 from 12pm to 6 pm. This year we are going to the Lansing Area and will meet up with our brethren from Red Ledge Brewers. Keep eyes out for more details soon.
As always, keep your eyes on the Facebook page and the webpage for all information about the club. Cheers!--DT
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