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.

The St. Louis Brews, one of the local St. Louis homebrewing clubs will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, October 2nd at Provisions Market in Creve Couer. The meeting starts at about 7PM. This month’s styles are as follows:

Cat. 1 Light Lager

• 1D. Munich Helles
• 1E. Dortmunder Export

Cat. 2 Pilsner

• 2A. German Pilsner (Pils)
• 2B. Bohemian Pilsner

Cat. 3 European Amber Lager

• 3A. Vienna Lager
• 3B. Oktoberfest/Maerzen

Cat. 4 Dark Lager

• 4B. Munich Dunkel
• 4C. Schwarzbier (Black Beer)

Cat. 6 Light Hybrid Beer

• 6C. Kölsch Beer

Cat. 7 Amber Hybrid Beer

• 7A. Northern German Altbier
• 7C. Dusseldorf Altbier

It’s always an interesting experience and provides you with a lot of great feedback. If you’re looking to try some great beer tonight, this is your place.

The St. Louis Brews, one of the local St. Louis homebrewing clubs will be holding their monthly meeting tonight at the Annunciation Church in Webster Groves. The meeting starts at about 7PM. Tonight’s styles are as follows:

Cat. 1 Light Lager

• 1A. Lite American Lager
• 1B. Standard American Lager
• 1C. Premium American Lager

Cat. 2 Pilsner

• 2C. Classic American Pilsner

Cat. 4 Dark Lager

• 4A. Dark American Lager

Cat. 6 Light Hybrid Beer

• 6A. Cream Ale
• 6B. Blond Ale

Cat. 7 Amber Hybrid Beer

• 7B. California Common Beer

Cat. 10 American Ale

• 10A. American Pale Ale
• 10B. American Amber Ale
• 10C. American Brown

I will be bringing two beers for evaluation. It’s always an interesting experience and provides you with a lot of great feedback. If you’re looking to try some great beer tonight, this is your place.

This is a meeting of the First Capital Brewers homebrew club.  They’re held every 3rd Tuesday of the month at O’Fallon Brewery.  You can visit their website here and Yahoo Group.

The St. Louis Brews, one of the local St. Louis homebrewing clubs will be holding their monthly meeting on October 4th.  Their new meeting location is the Annunciation Church in Webster Groves.

The next club meeting will be Thursday, October 4, 2007. Styles of the month are Octoberfest, Vienna & Dark German Lagers. We will hold a Club-Only Competition for Categories 4B-Munich Dunkel and 4C-Schwarzbier (Black Beer).