March in Montreal 2012
The Canadian Amateur Brewers Association is pleased to announce March in Montreal 2012, a homebrewing and beer appreciation event that will take place on Saturday, March 31st, 2012.
The event will include coffee and pastry in the morning, a technical program, lunch, and a bus trip where we will visit and have the opportunity to tour local breweries and pubs.
Location: Benelux, 245 Sherbrooke ouest
Time: 9:30 am (doors open)
The schedule for the day includes:
9:30 am — Doors open
10:00 am — A beer colour technical program conducted by Michel Gautier
1:00 pm — Board the bus for La Succursale, petite brasserie du vieux-Rosement, Brasseurs du Monde, Le Bilboquet
6:00 pm — Bus returns to Benelux
NHC Canadian Regional Qualifier/ALES Homebrew Open
Hello fellow Canadian Homebrewers! The Ale and Lager Enthusiasts of Saskatchewan are hosting the 2012 NHC Canadian Regional Qualifier/ALES Homebrew Open competition from April 9th to 14th, 2012 at the Bushwakker Brewpub in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Not only is this the largest competition in Canada, but it is the only way for Canadians to advance to the National Homebrew Competition, which is the largest homebrew competition in the world. Additionally, any medals won will earn you points towards the Canadian Brewer of the Year award.
Our competition is sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association and the Beer Judge Certification Program. Judging is conducted by certified BJCP judges using the 2008 Style Guidelines.
If you are interested in attending as a judge/volunteer/guest, please get in touch with us at competition@alesclub.com. There will be a full schedule of top notch social activities to partake in, including Brewers’ Dinners, one-off cask events, and guest speakers.
The competition is open to all 28 BJCP categories of homebrewed beer, mead and cider. Medals and prize packages are awarded to Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in each category. Prize packages consist of a wide variety of donated items from our many sponsors throughout North America.
The major awards are:
Best of Show – Awarded to the single best beer entry.
Homebrewer of the Year – based on total points earned from category medals (entries must score a minimum of 30 points to count towards HoY)
Rookie of the Year – all first time entrants are eligible, based on total points earned from category medals (entries must score a minimum of 30 points to count towards RoY)
Mead Maker of the Year – Awarded to the single best mead entry
Cider Maker of the Year – Awarded to the single best cider entry
Club of the Year – based on total points earned from category medals (entries must score a minimum of 30 points to count towards CoY)
Please check out our website at www.alesclub.com for full competition details. You can also contact us at competition@alesclub.com with any questions. Good luck!
CABA CABA Hey! Doublewide IPA release party at The Rhino, January 19th
The third edition of the Beau’s All Natural Brewing and CABA collaboration will be debuting at The Rhino on January 19th. The release party will run from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
This year’s CABA CABA Hey! beer is an IPA developed by Great Canadian Homebrew Competition Best of Show winner Brad Clifford and the good folks at Beau’s in Vankleek Hill, Ontario. Brad won the Best of Show award in June for Clifford’s German Pils. For his collaboration with Beau’s, he chose to make an IPA.
Doublewide IPA is an 8% ABV American-style double IPA with citrusy hops, and according to the Beau’s website, it pairs well with bold, flavourful and spicy foods.
The release will kick off the availability of the beer. Mark your calendars now and come out to congratulate Brad and Beau’s for Doublewide IPA.
Location: The Rhino, 1249 Queen St. West
Date: January 19th, 2012
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 pm
See you there.
All About Ales Competition results
Announced at the 2011 CABA AGM on November 19th, the All About Ales Competition results featured beers in 17 overall categories. The 2011 AAA Competition received 104 entries, and we’re proud to announce the winners of each of the categories, as well as our Best of Show winner.
Lagers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Munich Ale
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Third Stanza
Brewer(s): Victor North
Place: 1st
Entry Name: VanTober Fest Lager
Brewer(s): John VanDyk
Light/Amber Hybrids
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Kolsch
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Place: 1st
Entry Name: 5K Kolsch
Brewer(s): Graham McGregor
English Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Best Bitter
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Springer Premium Bitter
Brewer(s): Nicholas Verlane
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Extra Sexy Bitch (Batch 1101)
Brewer(s): Jonathan Thibault
Scottish/Irish Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Irish Football Red
Brewer(s): Miguel Pereira/Darryl May/Andrew Pituley
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: House of Perry Irish Red Ale
Brewer(s): Nick Perry
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Finnigan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
Brewer(s): Chris Finnigan
American Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: All Citra APA
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s Citra Pale Ale
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Place: 1st
Entry Name: APA
Brewer(s): Graham McGregor
American Amber/Brown Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: American Football Red
Brewer(s): Miguel Pereira/Darryl May/Andrew Pituley
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Palisades Red
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Willy The Moose
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin
Brown Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Brennan’s Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Paul Brennan
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Clifford’s English Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Who’s That Brown Ale
Brewer(s): Hirsch Goodman/Kevin Snow
Porters
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Katmandu Porter
Brewer(s): Dennis Kinvig
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Working Man’s Porter
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Pop’s Porter
Brewer(s): Victor North
Stouts
Place: Honourable Mention
Entry Name: American Stout
Brewer(s): Michael Sheddon
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Robustus Maximus
Brewer(s): Mike Bray
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Andover Stout
Brewer(s): Robert George
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Carpe Noctem Black Chocolate Stout
Brewer(s): Zack Weinburg
India Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Tri-Centennial Man
Brewer(s): Patrick Hirlehey
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: La Tête à Papineau
Brewer(s): Mathieu Boislard
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Imperial IPA
Brewer(s): Michael Sheddon
German Wheat/Rye Beers
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Adolfwolfa
Brewer(s): Mike Bray
Belgian/French Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Saison d’ete
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Wee Beastie
Brewer(s): Ian Mills
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Hip To Wit
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Belgian IPA
Brewer(s): Andrew Rusinas
Strong Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Cult of the Cthulhu
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer/Cody Nolan
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Rigo’s Barley Wine
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin
Place: 1st
Entry Name: The Rambam
Brewer(s): Hirsch Goodman/Kevin Snow
Fruit Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Elderberry Stout
Brewer(s): Chris Ephgrave
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Sex Bomb-Passion Fruit Wheat Beer
Brewer(s): Peter Campagna
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Magnum PI
Brewer(s): Mike Bray
Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Fat Goblin Pumpkin Ale
Brewer(s): Marc Coté/Richard Gosselin
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Kama Sutra Indian Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Zack Weinburg
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Carobou
Brewer(s): Victor North
Smoke Flavoured/Wood Aged Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Thunder
Brewer(s): Victor North
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Fireside
Brewer(s): Victor North
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Ol Closet Clearer-Oak Barleywine
Brewer(s): Tim Gregory
Specialty Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Golden Rails Honey Ale
Brewer(s): Mario Bourgeous
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Big Ms Maple
Brewer(s): Chris Ephgrave
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Lucky Loonie Black IPA
Brewer(s): Tim Gregory
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Yambier
Brewer(s): Kevin Freer
Meads/Ciders
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Harvest Spice Cider
Brewer(s): Victor North
Place: 1st
Entry Name: 2009 Wedding Mead
Brewer(s): Tim Gregory
Best of Show
Entry Name: Extra Sexy Bitch (Batch 1101)
Brewer(s): Jonathan Thibault
Congratulations to all of the winners.
Great Canadian Homebrew Competition results
At the Great Canadian Homebrew Conference on Saturday, we announced the winners of the homebrewing competition. With 99 entries across the entire spectrum of BCJP categories, we awarded winners in 12 categories, as well as for Best of Show. Here’s the entire list of winners:
Lagers & Hybrids
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Chameleon Cream Ale
Brewer(s): Ari Gilligson (Delta, BC)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: The Dreamer
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s German Pils
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford (Toronto, ON)
Scotch & Irish Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Danny Boy Delight
Brewer(s): Chris Bible (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: 80 Shilling Trial 2
Brewer(s): Jeremy Coghill (Toronto, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Bonnie Prince Charlie
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Pale Ales
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: 2011 APA
Brewer(s): Anthony Legge (Mt. Pearl, NL)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: The Perfect Gentleman
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Red Coat’s Revenge
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon (Mississauga, ON)
Amber & Brown Ales
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Nutty Hoppopotamus
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Falconers Bite
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Stouts & Porters
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Sweet Jemima Jones
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Ebony Insanity
Brewer(s): Chris Bible (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Evil Empire Russian Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Wayne Morris (Newtonville, ON)
IPAs
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Amarillo IPA
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford (Toronto, ON)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Imperial IPA
Brewer(s): Michael Shedden (Dundas, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Hopastasy
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Belgians & Wheat Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Wifey’s Wheat
Brewer(s): Andy Robinson (Amherst, NS)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Weizen Ho!
Brewer(s): John Tyler (Toronto, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: White Summer
Brewer(s): Yii-Jen Tien (Gravenhurst, ON)
Barleywines
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Stealth Bomber
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Toke-on-Trent
Brewer(s): Craig Nichols (Toronto, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Wedding Barley Wine
Brewer(s): Victor North (Toronto, ON)
Fruit/Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Craig Nichols (Toronto, ON)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Holy Trinity Stout
Brewer(s): Adam Henderson (Toronto, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Xpresso Men 3
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Smoke/Wood Aged Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Smoke A Little Smoke 1.5
Brewer(s): Kevin Smith (Toronto, ON)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: H.I.M. Smoked Imperial Oatmeal Stout
Brewer(s): Craig Nichols (Toronto, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Halfway Tree Imperial Stout
Brewer(s): Michael Thompson (Toronto, ON)
Specialty Beers
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Wizard’s Sleeve
Brewer(s): Patrick Hirlehey (Waterdown, ON)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Gotterdamerung
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Snowman Brewing Gluten Free Maple Stout
Brewer(s): Hirsch Goodman and Kevin Snow (North York, ON)
Meads & Ciders
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Country Harvest
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Royal Oak
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren (Mississauga, ON)
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Mead 2010
Brewer(s): Jeremy Coghill (Toronto, ON)
Best of Show
Place: 3rd
Entry Name: Hopastasy
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon and Ed Koren
Place: 2nd
Entry Name: Red Coat’s Revenge
Brewer(s): Louis DeBourbon
Place: 1st
Entry Name: Clifford’s German Pils
Brewer(s): Brad Clifford
Homebrewer of the Year: Louis DeBourbon
Congratulations to all the winners.
Thanks to Spearhead Brewing Company for sponsoring both the conference and competition, as well as for providing various prizes for the winners, including a Blichman Hop Rocket for the Best of Show winner, Brad Clifford. As Best of Show winner, Brad will also have the opportunity to work with Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company to develop a professional beer as part of the CABA CABA Hey! series. Thanks to Beau’s for working with CABA on this project for the third year in a row.
Thanks to Black Oak Brewing for being the drop-off point for competition entries and for their gracious hosting on judging day. And finally, thank you to all the judges and stewards who helped to make the competition run as smoothly as possible.
Spearhead Brewing sponsors Great Canadian Homebrew Conference
CABA’s annual Great Canadian Homebrew Conference is coming up on June 18th at The Rhino. With a theme of extreme brewing, CABA is pleased to announced that Toronto’s newest craft brewery, Spearhead Brewing Company, is sponsoring the event this year.
Both Spearhead’s founder and brewmaster will be on hand to speak about brewing extreme beers and how the brewery went from a good idea to reality. Spearhead is officially launching its first beer, a pineapple-infused west coast pale ale named Hawaiian Style Pale Ale, at Volo in Toronto on June 16th, and on the 18th, CABA members will get an inside look into the latest brewery to set up shop in Toronto.
Founder Dimitri van Kampen is an enthusiastic beer lover and entrepreneur who, with his team, has created a brand that is sure to be the talk of the the province of Ontario this month as its beer rolls out to more than 30 bars, pubs and restaurants around Toronto and elsewhere in southern Ontario.
You didn’t think we could top last year’s GCHC, did you? This year, we have Spearhead, samples of various extreme beers (including a healthy selection of some off-the-beaten-track extreme beers), and our usual fun and merriment. Take down the details and make plans to attend this year’s GCHC.
Date: June 18th
Location: The Rhino, 1249 Queen St. West, Toronto
Time: 10:30 am to 6 pm (Doors open at 10 am)
Agenda: Spearheads brewmaster will be speaking about and providing samples of their new beers in a collectors glass that is yours to keep. Lunch will be 3 courses with 4 tasters of extreme beers and a pint of Smash Bomb. Spearhead will come back for more Q&A and samples, the competition awards will be given out and we will head upstairs for more fun and frivolity.
Tickets are on sale now. Keep an eye on this space or follow CABA on Facebook and/or Twitter.
Check your membership online and reset your password
Wondering when your CABA membership is going to (or has) expired? Forgotten your password?
One of the latest upgrades to the site is checking your membership due date online, and renew all from the homebrewers.ca website. You can also reset your password if forgotten or lost.
If you do choose to renew, one year will be added to your membership starting on the last day of your membership, so don’t worry if you renew a little early, there will be no overlap period.
Please try it out, http://www.homebrewers.ca/account
Kevin
All About Ales Competition Winners
On swing-tops
It didn’t take long after I started brewing beer before I discovered the joys of swing-top bottles. As I’m sure happened with many new brewers, my first batch (or two?) was bottled exclusively with capped bottles, and the process was slow. I’m fairly certain my first bottling night back in 2007 was about four hours long. Today, that same bottling night is probably about half that in time; and although much of that increased speed can be attributed to a better understanding of the processes involved, some of it is also because of the number of swing-top bottles (mostly Grolsch and Christoffel) that have found their way into my bottle collection one way or the other.
A tip I’ve learned from my new brewing buddy: If you have a local bar or pub that serves beers with swing-top bottles, talk to the manager about buying the swing-top bottles. Some are bound to let them go for the return price. That will increase your swing-top bottle collection quickly and reduce the number of bottle caps you’ll need come bottling day.
