Belle City Homebrewers &
Vintners Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2008


Happy New Year fellow brewers! The 1st meeting of the new year started with some exiting front page that gives us national exposure, followed by an injustice of epic proportions that will make the hairs on the back of your pirate necks stand on end……but first, the minutes…………

The gavel that our President Frank Tylla clutches around his iron fist rang in the New Year at precisely 7:00 CST. Frank seemed in a particularly good mood my spidy senses told me. But why? It certainly couldn’t be the news that Frank is currently on a diet - that supposedly makes one cranky. Moreover, his pledge to have only two beers that night would never make a homebrewer giddy. Perhaps he was just happy to see our smiling faces after the long holiday hiatus. No, couldn’t be that. Then it came out later in the meeting………….Election year for the club! Frank fulfilled his pledge of 2 terms and now he sees the light at the end of the tunnel! Will Frank rule with the steely-eyed gaze we have become accustomed over the years, or will his lame duck status make him as useful as a second belly button? You be the judge as the year unfolds.
The first order of business as Kitty Schweitzer’s motion to wish all a Happy New Year. Chris Flynn seconded the motion as glasses were raised.
The second first order of business was to welcome our newest proposed applicant - Dave McDonald - to the meeting. Dave got interested in home brewing thru the clubs very successful “Teach a Friend to Homebrew” day. Welcome Dave!
The third first order of business was the motion to reimburse Jim Payne, Terry Mayne and Russ Harbach for their time, dedication, and hard work in elevating the status of our club by becoming card carrying nationally recognized Certified Beer Judges. Each will received $50 to reimburse them for the testing fee. Good work fellas.
Treasurers Report: Jim, has the uncanny ability to make it into the meeting after the gavel, but before Frank calls for the treasurer’s report. It’s uncanny. $922.97 is in the till just waiting to be spent. Dues is due. Please report to the Treasurer to the tidy sum of $36/per person or $45/family membership by the next meeting or asap whichever is sooner.
Irish Night for Literacy: Now known as Celtic Night for Literacy will be on March 8th at Memorial Hall with doors opening at 5:30. Mark Flynn has graciously extended the invitation to supply kits for those who would like to brew up a batch to donate to our tasting station at the event. Besides doing a good deed for our fellow Racinian’s, we want to use different yeasts to compare and contrast the subtle differences they impart on a beer. Please take Mark’s offer up to brew a kit beer, and please take good notes as to what kit and yeast was used in your batch.
Bidal Society Winter Formal Dinner: The Kenosha Bidal Society Winter Formal Dinner will be held Saturday January 26th, 2008. Cost is $25 per person for those who are not members of the Bidal Society. Jim Jensen has agreed to be the Chef for the evening. He is planning a wonderful but slightly less complex menu this year. Expect more family style serving, and less plated entrees. The menu is still being finalized, however expect a soup, salad, several roasted and braised meats and dessert. Of course plenty of beverages will be served too. Please let the members of Racine Belle City Home Brewers know that they are welcome to attend. Reservations are necessary and must be made by Jan. 20th. RSVP to Craig Wepprecht, brewercraig@juno.com, 262-914-7810.
I expect there will be an auction of brewery or brewing related items following dinner.
A little cut and paste from Frank’s email to all. Just to interject my thoughts - this is truly a great time. Many of us have made the last two dinners and everything is fantastic. The food is prepared by a master chef, the Kenosha club makes some of the best homebrews your ever going to drink and the auction is a real hoot. It is impossible to believe you can have this much great food, beer and fun for just twenty-five bucks. Please bring auction items to raise $$ for the club.
Beer & Food Sign-up: The sign-up sheet is on the club wall. Please get involved.
Dragonboat: Capt. Kitty says let her know asap to save a place on the boat for you. Card carrying members and immediate family get first shot to be on the boat. Boat membership raised to $35/per person to cover cost of cool stuff.
Jim Payne motions the club meeting to end. Kitty seconds.
THE GOOD NEWS:
After the meeting was over, Rick McNabb shared some exciting news that put our club literally on the front page of the nationally recognized magazine “Brew.” Rick and the Brothers Flynn are clearly visible in the panoramic view of the thirsty waiting to get into the brewfest in Colorado last year. Rick, please bring the magazine and a magnifying glass to the social meeting for all to view.

THE BAD NEWS:
Someone must walk the plank! The spirit of the Dragonboat has been violated in the most vile way and the scurvy dog has been identified. Let me explain………………..
The overwhelming evidence was thrown in front of Kitty with a two dollar purchase. One of Kitty’s employees shopping at Value Village (with the way Kitty over pays her employees, why was she shopping at Value Village instead of Nordstrom’s?) and to her horror saw one of our pirate shirts on the rake! This is egregious on two levels! One, doesn’t value village know these shirts are priceless on should be priced as such, and two, who would give away their shirt? Kitty, being as sly as she is, had the foresight to put our names on the shirt so she knows the identity of the scoundrel. I will not out the heinous traitor , but instead will leave disciplinary actions to our President. Give her hell Frank!