One of my wishes for 2009 was for more homebrewing, not just for me but for everyone, including people who haven’t brewed before.  One way to get more people homebrewing is to have more clubs.  STL Hops reader Greg Bridwell, has decided to fill a great need in the local homebrewing community, a homebrew club for our neighbors to the east.

Greg has started up the East Side Brewers, a homebrew club that will have their first meeting on Sunday, January 25th at Bigelo’s Bistro in Edwardsville, IL starting at 2PM. Some of the topics for the inaugural meeting include:

• What our goals are as a home brew club
• Collaboration with local clubs
• Dues
• Meeting locations
• Web site
• Joint brew days
• Teach a friend to home brew
• Sponsorship

While at the meeting, Mark from Bigelo’s will be providing some appetizers and samples from his new 12 draft system ($1.00 per 8oz pour). Also, donations for the food will be accepted, but, not required. As this is a homebrew meeting, please feel free to bring your beer to share.

To help Mark and Greg anticipate how many people will show up to the first meeting, a RSVP to Greg would be appreciated. Be sure to check out the STL Hops forum for more information about the ESBs and to contact Greg or Mark from Bigelo’s.

Had a couple of packages of beer arrive this week, though I’d share some pictures. The first is from my buddy Scotty who lives in Colorado. Luckily for all of us, we’re seeing more and more Colorado beers available in the local area, but Scotty sent me a few that we can’t get here quite yet. I’m sending him some beer from this area he can’t get there. I know that he wanted some Two Hearted and I have some things in mind, but do you have any suggestions?

• Bristol Brewing Company – Red Rocket Ale
• Bristol Brewing Company – Wet Mountain IPA
• Bristol Brewing Company – Laughing Lab Scottish-Style Ale
• Dillon Dam Brewery – Sweet George’s Brown
• Bristol Brewing Company – Winter Warlock Oatmeal Stout
• Oskar Blues – Ten Fidy
• Oskar Blues – Old Chub

The other two packages I received this week came from San Diego, CA, specifically from The Lost Abbey. A while back someone alerted me to the Sinners and Saints Club. Each club provides special and often sought after beers each month of the year. Here are January and February’s selections:

• The Lost Abbey – Red Poppy
• The Lost Abbey – Carnevale Ale

I’ll let Tomme describe both for you:

Carnevale Ale- Be one of the first consumers to sample our newest seasonal release called Carnevale Ale. Brewed to mark the Lenten Season before Easter, we expect this to be a great addition to our lineup of Specialty Releases. 

Red Poppy 2007- Our first release of this beer. Brewed in 2006 and aged in French Oak barrels for one year on Sour Cherries and wild yeasts. 

Sorry about the lack of content this morning, but I’ve got a pretty busy day ahead of me.  In fact, the entire week may be a bit hectic, but I’ll do my best to provide everyone with new information all week.

A few guys from Rate Beer and Beer Advocate are looking to increase their beer tasting club and looking for people to join them tonight. Here are just a few of the beers they may be tasting tonight:

• Midnight Sun Lust
• Midnight Sun Cohoho Imperial IPA
• Midnight Sun Gluttony
• Midnight Sun La Mâitresse du Moine
• 1999 Lou Pepe Pure Kriek
• 2000 Fullers Vintage Ale
• 1998 Fullers Vintage Ale

If you’re interested in joining them tonight call Dr. Matt at 618-207-9046 or drop him a Beer Mail at Rate Beer. His Rate Beer name is drmatt. They’re be meeting at Dr. Matt’s house off of Telegraph. If you can’t make it tonight (like me) they plan on doing this pretty regularly, so don’t feel bad they’re be another tasting soon.