Headquarters Homebrew Club

Headquarters Homebrew Club

HQ Blog

SEPTEMBER 2023 Meeting

Many club members are attending NCHF (the Northern California Homebrewer’s Festival) this weekend.So no HeadQuarters homebrew club meeting this month. Next month the club will be setting up a booth and pouring homebrew at the Downtown Gilroy Beer Festival.Watch emails & posts for details.

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AUGUST 2023 Meeting

Eric has invited the club to meet at his south San Jose home.Actually his backyard pool house bar / party room / patio area.5:00PM on Saturday August 19. The August meeting theme was to Brew with new or experimental ingredient or technique.But you’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.Commercial beers are also welcome.One 22 oz …

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JULY 2023 Meeting

Will & Brianna have invited the club to meet at their San Jose Rose Glen neighborhood home, 5:00PM on Saturday July 15. The July meeting theme is Session Beers (<5%) and Pale Ales.But you’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.Commercial beers are also welcome.One 22 oz bottle, or equivalent should be enough. We will be judging the …

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JUNE 2023 Meeting

The May meeting theme is  Hazy IPA.But you’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.Commercial beers are also welcome. Along with discussing old & new business including preparing for the Northern California Homebrewer’s Festival (NCHF).We will be starting the BJCP Sensory Training Kit (AKA off-flavor training).This is an opportunity to enhance your beer judging skills.We will present two of …

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MAY 2023 Meeting

We will be meeting at the Oak Meadow picnic area, of Vasona Lake County Park, at 5:00PM on Saturday May 20. Vasona Lake County Park333 Blossom Hill RdLos Gatos, CA 95032 The May meeting theme is  Maibock.But you’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.Commercial beers are also welcome. One 22 oz bottle, or equivalent …

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April 2023 Meeting Minutes

ANNOUNCEMENTS BABO Final judging May 6, 2023 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.We need volunteers to steward and judge.Email Jack Weldon, the competition organizer, directly at  theweldons@sbcglobal.net.National Homebrew Convention SAN DIEGO  June 22–24, 2023June 22-24, 2023 in San Diego | Homebrew ConSanta Clara County Fair homebrew competition June 28:  Entry deadline on The Fair’s website (TBD).July 15-16:  Drop-off …

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APRIL 2023 Meeting

We will meet in the back room at Clandestine Brewing at 5:00PM on Saturday April 15. Clandestine Brewing980 S 1st St, suite BSan Jose, CA 95110 You’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.One 22 oz bottle, or equivalent should be enough. You can check out the Clandestine Brewing draft list on their menu …

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Club members place in the World Cup of beer homebrew competition

HeadQuarters club members bring home ribbons from the World Cup of Beer homebrew competition. Club president, Eric Ruzicka, was awarded 3rd place on the Strong Belgian Ales table for his Drugi 25A: Belgian Blond Ale.Howard was awarded the following 2nd place on the the Strong Belgian Ales table for his Drunken Monk 26C: Belgian Tripel. 3rd place on the Strong …

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March 2023 Meeting Minutes

I kicked off the business by reporting on the following upcoming events. WORLD CUP of beer homebrew competitionEric is the cellar master.  Calvin & I judged that morning.Final judging will be at 21st Amendment in San LeandroSaturday, April 1, 2023 morning, afternoon awards presentation & celebrationBABO (Bay Area Brew-Off at the Alameda County Fair)Entries will be due from …

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MARCH 2023 Meeting

We will meet in the back room at Clandestine Brewing at 5:00PM on Saturday March 18. Clandestine Brewing980 S 1st St, suite BSan Jose, CA 95110 You’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.One 22 oz bottle, or equivalent should be enough. You can check out the Clandestine Brewing draft list on their menu …

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Club president featured on the Best of Show podcast

Current HeadQuarters club president, Eric Ruzicka, is very active in the local homebrew competition scene.Not only does he enter a number of homebrew competitions.But he’s an active participant in many local competitions like the World Cup of Beer, Santa Clara county fair homebrew competition and BABO (Bay Area Brew-off) fulfilling various roles including the following. …

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February 2023 Meeting Minutes

I kicked off the business by reporting on the following upcoming homebrew competitions. * The next internal club competition is ‘Stout’.  Entries due at the March HeadQuarters meeting. WORLD CUP  2023* February 1st, registration opens for entrants. * $10 entry fee* Entry bottles accepted at the following drop-off locations  – from Thursday, February 23, 2023  – through Wednesday, March 8, 2023 12:00 …

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February 2023 Meeting

We will be meeting in the back room at Clandestine Brewing at 5:00PM on Saturday February 18. Clandestine Brewing980 S 1st St, suite BSan Jose, CA 95110 You’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.One 22 oz bottle, or equivalent should be enough. At our monthly brew club meeting we will typically cover any …

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January 2023 Meeting – The Holiday Party

Happy New Years South Bay Homebrewers! The next Headquarters Club meeting is coming up on Saturday, January 21st. As in years past, we’ve chosen to hold this meeting as a post Holiday Party instead of a regular meeting. Certainly homebrew is welcome and encouraged, and we can discuss these beers and provide tasting feedback as …

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Andy’s Birthday Bash – Cancelled

The following from our host. Hey HQ Crew!Unfortunately we have to CANCEL the party on Saturday. Amber has been sick for a bit and may have pneumonia☹️.Thought it would be cleared up by now, but she is slowly getting better.It’s best that we don’t chance it.We were looking forward to seeing y’all.Maybe do something in …

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Andy’s Birthday Bash

The next HeadQuarters meeting will be Andy’s birthday bash, this Saturday (November 19). Saturday November 19th from 1pm-??? at Andy & Amber’s place in Ben Lomond, CA. Festivities will include apps, Mexican food and drinks.Feel free to bring your favorite beverages and/or specialty beers for a little bottle share. Parking is a little tight so …

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2022 Downtown Gilroy Halloween Beer Crawl

After a 2 year hiatus due to COVID-19. HeadQuarters homebrew club members were thrilled to participate in the Downtown Gilroy Halloween Beer Crawl this year. As in previous years, the club setup a booth and served beers which members brewed. Excitedly, the ‘crawl’ sold out, this year.So congratulations to the Gilroy Downtown Business Association. We …

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October 2022 Meeting – Gilroy

In lieu of the regularly scheduled club meeting.October 15 HeadQuarters club members will set up a booth and serve our homebrew at the Downtown Gilroy Halloween Beer Crawl. This annual event features 40+ craft beers located in Downtown Gilroy pour stations & home brew beer, live music, Halloween costumes and more! Visit our booth on …

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September 2022 Meeting – NCHF

In lieu of the regularly scheduled club meeting. September 17 we will set up a booth and serve our homebrew at the Northern California Homebrewers Festival (NCHF). Some 400 homebrewers from 35 clubs will descend on the Lake Francis Campground in Dobbins California. The clubs will erect booths and serve their homebrews from 1:00PM until after dark (until …

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August 2022 Meeting Minutes

I reported my neighbor, Steve Bueller, is hastily organizing a musical party for Saturday, August 27.This was initially described as an impromptu, sort of afternoon jam session for some of his closest musician friends.But it’s growing into more.The latest count is some 40-50 musicians, not including wives, girl friends, significant others, etc.Some members suggested their …

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August 2022 Meeting

We will be meeting at the Oak Meadow picnic area, of Vasona Lake County Park, at 5:00PM on Saturday August 16. Vasona Lake County Park 333 Blossom Hill Rd Los Gatos, CA 95032 You’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.One 22 oz bottle, or equivalent should be enough. At our monthly brew club …

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July 2022 Meeting Minutes

I reminded attendees to volunteer to steward or judge at the Santa Clara County Fair homebrew competition next Saturday, July 23.It’s a great way to learn about BJCP judging as this is a well run, smaller competition, which is close to home. The annual (east bay) Multi club picnic, will be at Oak Hill Park, …

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July 2022 Meeting

We will be meeting at the Oak Meadow picnic area, of Vasona Lake County Park, at 5:00PM on Saturday July 16. Vasona Lake County Park 333 Blossom Hill Rd Los Gatos, CA 95032 You’re welcome to bring any homebrew to get feedback.One 22 oz bottle, or equivalent should be enough. At our monthly brew club …

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June 2022 Meeting Minutes

Altho it’s been a while since updating the website. We have been meeting via ZOOM (during COVID-19 lockdown), and in person at Clandestine Brewing and the Oak Meadow picnic area of Vasona Lake County Park. We will update this site from now on, starting with the following minutes from the June 18, 2022 club meeting at Vasona …

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March 2018 Meeting Minutes

Club activities Barrel project updates We recently emptied a barrel at Kevin’s house. It contained a saison, and we refilled it with a Golden Strong. The saison is full-bodied and has a very strong oak aroma, with an intense buttery flavor. It drinks almost like a chardonnay, but with a long, bitter finish. If I …

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HQ Big Barrel Brown Ale

*5 GAL* mash at~ 154/155 Grains -13# 2 row -1.25# carapils -1.25# crystal 40L -1# wheat -.5# chocolate malt Hops -1oz northern brewer 60 min -1oz cascade 15 min -1oz centennial 0 min Yeast -Cal ale WLP 001 or safale us-05 This recipe should give you at least a 7+% brown ale depending on efficiency ( anywhere from 6-9% should be fine). …

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Q1 2018 Lager Club Competition

Competition Rules The next brewer’s challenge is lager beer. Some of your options are: Traditional Lager American Lager Pilsner IPL Baltic Porter Baltimore Porter Biere de Garde Rauchbier Kellerbier Altbier and Kolsch You’re welcome to do any type of lager beer but these are a few suggestions. Club member Howard Clearfield gave a brief session on making …

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November 2016 Meeting Agenda

Hey all, We’re gearing up for our last official meeting of the year.  We’ll have our meeting at 12:00 on the 19th, then head out to the pub crawl from there.  We’ll keep the meeting to ~90 minutes, and everyone is welcome to attend either the meeting or the crawl or of course both. Location …

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Alpha Analytics

Located in the heart of hop country, Alpha Analytics is a premier provider of analytical services to hop growers and craft brewers nationwide.

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American Homebrewers Association (AHA)

The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit organization based in Boulder, Colo., dedicated to promoting the community of homebrewers and empowering homebrewers to make the best beer in the world. Since 1978, the AHA has worked to educate people worldwide about the coolest hobby there is—homebrewing.

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Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)

The Beer Judge Certification Program helps you to: Encourage knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the world’s diverse beer, mead, and cider styles; Promote, recognize, and advance beer, mead, and cider tasting, evaluation, and communication skills; and Develop standardized tools, methods, and processes for the structured evaluation, ranking and feedback of beer, mead, and cider.

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BrewBlogger’s Brewing Calculators

BrewBlogger is a easy to set up, easy to use, browser-based homebrew logging and calculation suite. It provides today’s brewer a fast and easy way to record your brewing activities, recipes, and awards.

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The Beer Recipator

Beer Recipator is an interactive set of web pages that homebrewers can use to formulate their recipes online.  The site includes a spreadsheet that includes calculations for original gravity, color, and bitterness as well as other calculations and conversions.  There is also a recipe database where you can share your favorite recipes.

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Q4 2016 Wood Aged Beer Club Competition

Competition Rules Club president, Kyle, reports the next brewer’s challenge is Plan on making a wood aged beer. Some of your options are: wood chips (probably easiest), wood cubes (equally easy but a little more pricey), More Beer sells bourbon barrel chunks (I think they’re Makers Mark barrel chunks), or you can check out the used …

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Q3 2016 Belgian Beer Style Club Competition Results

There were 9 entries judged from 9 registered brewers. Winning Entries Place Brewer(s) Entry Name Style Club 1st Kyle Blomseth Cherry Quad With Brett 28A: Brett Beer The Headquarters 2nd Kevin Lindeman Galaxy Wit 24A: Witbier The Headquarters 3rd Jason Rogers El Diablo Golden Strong 25C: Belgian Golden Strong Ale The Headquarters

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August 2016 Meeting Agenda

Hey guys, our August meeting is coming up this Saturday, 5:00 PM back at Vasona (Oak Meadow) Park, same location as last month. The focus of this meeting will be around our long awaited Belgian Beer competition.  For prizes I have some glass wear hand carried by yours truly from Belgium for first place, and …

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July 2016 Meeting Minutes

Kevin Lindeman reported: We had another great meeting July 17 at Vasona. Perfect weather and great company. Roger brought his jockey box with some great beers. The main things we talked about were: Belgian Beer competition next month (August) – This meeting is on 8/20. I think we might try to have it at Vasona …

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Q2 2016 Clone Beer Club Competition Results

There were 10 entries judged from 10 registered brewers. Winning Entries Place Brewer(s) Entry Name Style Club 1st Kyle Blomseth Drakes Hopocalypse Clone 22A: Double IPA The Headquarters 2nd Jeremy White Sculpin IPA Clone 21A: American IPA The Headquarters  

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February 2016 Meeting Minutes

Hey all, it was great to have a classic format meeting this month, I know there’s been a lot of events lately so good to get back to the basics.  Also great to get the front room at Harry’s to ourselves.  Thanks to all who made it out, especially those who brought homebrew. Meeting Minutes …

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Q1 2016 Coffee Beer Club Competition Results

There were 10 entries judged from 10 registered brewers. Winning Entries Place Brewer(s) Entry Name Style Club 1st Brandon Centeio Coffee Stout 20B: American Stout The Headquarters 2nd Danielle Blomseth Milk Stout W/ Coffee And Mint 16A: Sweet Stout The Headquarters 3rd Jonathan Liebenberg Civet & Weevil Stout 20B: American Stout The Headquarters  

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October 2015 Meeting Agenda

Date and Location October 17 5:00 PM Rookie’s Sports Bar Tailgate Room Agenda NCHF review Upcoming events Style of the month Tip of the month BJCP competition update Next club competition – January 2016 coffee beer Homebrew share

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Q3 2015 Mosaic Hop Club Competition Results

There were 12 entries and 17 registered participants, judges, and stewards. Kyle’s Report 1st Jonathan’s Pale Ale, the first beer we tasted but definitely flawless. Personally I was reluctant to give it a higher score knowing it was the first and we had a lot more coming, but it was well deserving of 1st place …

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August 2015 Meeting Minutes

We had a great turnout this month, it was good to see a lot of familiar faces and a few new ones (including Mickey…or Mikey???). The Mosaic challenge went great, lots of fantastic entries, and we have a lot of upcoming activities to look forward to outside of our regular monthly meetings. Special thanks to …

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June 2015 Meeting Minutes

NHC summary – tons of fun, lots of interesting equipment, unique people, and great (and just a couple not so great) beers. All the presentations will be posted on the AHA website for any AHA member to view. There were several in depth and educational presentations that are worth checking out. Mosaic Hop distribution – …

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March 2015 Meeting Minutes

Kyle’s house in Campbell Thanks all who attended the meeting and to those submitted beers for our competition.  Special thanks to Kevin for his BIAB demonstration as well, and for sending out notes already.  I thought the competition format worked pretty well, let me know if you have any ideas to improve on for the future. As …

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Q1 2015 Single Hop Club Competition Results

There were 14 entries and 16 registered participants, judges, and stewards. Winning Entries Place Brewer(s) Entry Name Style Club 1st Kevin Lindeman Chinook Pale Ale 10A: American Pale Ale The Headquarters 2nd Jonathan Liebenberg Citra Oat IPA 14C: Imperial IPA The Headquarters 3rd Kevin Lindeman Simcoe Pale Ale 10A: American Pale Ale The Headquarters

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February 2015 Meeting Minutes

Thanks to all who attended, especially those who brought homebrew to share.  There are a few important notes I’ll include in the beginning here. The sweatshirt and workshirt quote is in, if you missed my e-mail Sunday let me know and I will forward.  We need to collect the money for the order before we place it.  Please …

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January 2015 Meeting Minutes

Thanks to all who attended January’s meeting, especially those who brought beer to share. In Club Competitions The first competition will be in March (so start brewing soon). The challenge is to make a beer using only one hop. You can pick any hop, or if you would like one randomly assigned let me know, …

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Q4 2014 Cherrywood Smoked Malt Club Competition Results

There were 13 entries and 11 registered participants, judges, and stewards. Winning Entries Place Brewer(s) Entry Name Style Club 1st Jonathan Liebenberg S’more Stout 22B: Other Smoked Beer The Headquarters 2nd Andrew Carroll Oak Smoked Brown 22B: Other Smoked Beer The Headquarters

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2014 Clandestine Brewing Challenge Results

Clandestine Brewing Judging Results: Clandestine Brewing tasted and evaluated all the submissions — they chose the following 3 levels of winners: 1st – #32 Roger’s Jalapeno Smoked Pale Ale They were impressed with the considerable Jalepeno aroma and flavor which went well with the smoke character. Roger will get to participate in brewing the beer. …

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