9-01-09

President Steve Arnold started the meeting off by asking “who was brewing what?” Several people responded with a wide variety of different brews. Keep up the great brewing!!

Ribbons were awarded for the top three entries in the Club Only Competition held in August. Congratulations to Jed Reinhard for his third and first place APAs and Bob Wolfe for his 2nd place beer. Thanks to all who helped with judging and to everyone who entered.

We will be holding another Club Only Competition in February. The style this time will be any type of Stout. Start planning your entry now! These beers would also be ready to enter into the Bluebonnet Brewoff in March, so get brewing!!

Plans for a Club Jockey Box are well underway. We hope to have it ready by Christmas for the 1st annual Club Christmas Party on December 5. We will hold the party at The Renyolds Cancer Support House. More information to come on the party later.

Arkansas State Fair entries are due at Jim’s store by October 2 for delivery to Little Rock. Remember, Jim is awarding any winners at the state fair that brew using a kit bought from the store with some great prizes. First round judging will take place October 10, and we have several people that plan on attending. More information about judging at next month’s meeting.

October 9 & 10 is an Octoberfest Festival at Columbus Acres. The club is hosting a display to promote the store and the club at the event. See Donna at the store if you are able to help out.
Little Rockoctoberfest will be October 24, in Little Rock. Anyone that plans on attending, please take good notes, we would love to host something like this in Fort Smith!

The RVAR was noted in a recent publication of the Southwest Brewing News. We hope to get more publicity soon! We also had a great story and several pictures recently on the City Wire website, check it out.

The club is selling Glass, one gallon, Growlers that came from Weidman’s Brew Pub for $5. They are great for transporting, and are piece of the River Valley’s Brewing History. They will be available at each meeting.

Tonight’s activity was how to build a counter-flow-chiller presented by Bob Wolfe. He showed what resources you would need and how much it would cost. This is a great way to quickly cool your wort to pitching temperature and you can build one for less than $55 will all new parts. See Bob if you have questions or need a copy of the directions.

At the next meeting on October 6, Lucas will be brewing a batch for beginners and intermediate brewers. Invite some friends to check out what all the fun is about!! Steve will give a kegging demonstration in November.