DBF Celebrates National Homebrew Day 2006

Didn't your mom always yell, “No brewing in the house! If you're going to brew, do it outside!”

Okay, so my memory has faded over the years. But I still like to do it outside, whatever “it” is. That's why I am a proud Displaced Brewery Fanatic homebrewer. This year, our fledgling beer club took to the sidewalks to commemorate National Homebrewing Day. Not an official US holiday yet, to be certain. And you won't find any greeting cards or gift wrap, so don't even look. However, when the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) puts out a call to action, our club knows how to respond.

On the first Saturday in May 2006, more than a dozen of us met at Park Winery to practice our craft, talk about beer and do – what else? – taste some homebrew. All together, we cranked out 50 gallons of some fine, fine ales in 9 brew pots.

Bruce Fine was there, with his 10-gallon kettle. We talked AH Dave into brewing his first batch of beer since the Detroit Brew Factory sadly closed for business. I convinced my brother Vic to try his hand at the hobby, while I used my smaller kettle for an American Steam Ale, which will prove to be a great example of that style. Tony Sheriff and Wayne Manchester showed off their skills with a small kettle, too. Jay Bradley and Skip Uhl boiled 5 gallons, although Skip had to tend to the store for a large portion of the time.

And then, we had a new member join in the festivities. Scott Ellis bought some beer supplies, joined the club and brewed an ale, all on the same day. What a big day for Scott! The AHA will be proud. I know we'll see Scott at future meetings and brewing events, because his wife was there on Saturday to give an approving nod.

Interestingly, Gary Przybycki was present, making beer without Ed Stone by his side. Flying solo. No fear. Gary has already logged many hours doing a different kind of "pot-watching."

“It's a lot like making soup,” notes the self-proclaimed “Soop Freak.” You may know Gary as the cook who creates the wonderful soups at Meaghan's Diner on Mack.

And look at the photo of these two jokers who arrived in matching T-shirts! That's Vic and I dressed like twins. It all goes back to when our mother dressed us in the same outfit. But not at the same time. By the time the clothes became mine, there were denim patches sewn onto every place an arm or knee bends.

Actually, there's a funny story to this coincidence. My wife works in Ypsilanti, and Vic's son lives in Ann Arbor. So, we both have shirts from Sidetrack Bar and Grill. Anyway, mine made its way to the top of my T-shirt drawer, and that's why I wore it. I swear! When I picked up Vic at his house, we just had to laugh. And running late, as all good Minetola's do, there was no time to make a switch.

So, here's a shameless plug for the Sidetrack Bar and Grill. I should add that it is located within walking distance of the Frog Island park where the Michigan Beer Guild holds the annual summer beer festival. The bar serves a dozen micros from around Michigan, so we like that place.

While making shameless plugs, I will point out that you can discern the Stegmeier Beer logo on Vic's hat. (Click it for a larger view.) The Stegmeier Brewery was located at the bottom of the hill where my father grew up in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Stegmeier is still brewed in Wilkes-Barre by the Lion Brewery, a micro-brewery that does a lot of contract brewing for several small labels. If you ever have a chance to try Stegmeier, don't pass it up. It's a great wedding beer – or, at least that's what comes to my mind when I taste it. Apparently, it made an impression on me when I was sneaking a sip from the odd bottle left unguarded.

“I love this smell,” exclaimed Vic at the brewing event. “We could smell this every day up on the Heights,” he added, referring to the aroma of boiling wort rising out of the Stegmeier factory and settling into the neighborhoods nestled in the low mountains above.

And that's what homebrewing is all about.