Big Brew 2011

We're pleased to announce that we will once again be partnering up with Bell's General Store for this year's AHA National Homebrew Day and Big Brew. The festivities will begin at 10am for all the folks who will be doing all-grain brewing that day and we'll plan on folks staying as late as 6pm. If you don't plan on brewing, you can stop by anytime between.

Bell's has asked us to please ask everyone not to bring outside beverages. There will be plenty of high-quality brew at the Eccentric Cafe throughout the day.

In addition to helping host the event, Bell's General Store has actually put together several "kits" of this year's official recipes. Prices are as follows:

IPA Extract: $41
IPA All-Grain: $23.50
Wit Extract: $21.75
Wit All-Grain: $17.25
Porter Extract: $33.50
Porter All-Grain: $19.50

These kits will not include yeast as some prefer liquid and some prefer dry. The recommended yeasts are listed on the box. You will receive any grains in 1 lb. increments, but the recipe may require less. In those cases the extra grains didn't go in to the cost, so they're free for the brewers to keep. There is a definite savings by using the kits. Should be a good deal.

If you've never participated in a Big Brew event, see the description below.

History

In 1988, May 7th was announced before Congress as National Homebrew Day. The American Homebrewers Association created Big Brew as an annual event to celebrate National Homebrew Day not only in the United States, but around the world. Big Brew is held each year on the first Saturday in May.
Homebrewing has been practiced in America since the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Today there are an estimated 750,000 homebrewers in the United States. Homebrewers are passionate about brewing beer and love to share that passion with others. That’s what Big Brew is all about: homebrewers getting together all over the world to share their love for the hobby.

How it Works

Each year the AHA highlights homebrew recipes for Big Brew. Then hundreds of homebrewers register their Big Brew locations for a communal brew-in to celebrate National Homebrew Day. They invite family and friends, or hang posters and flyers around town to advertise their brewing site. Then on the first Saturday in May everyone congregates at the brewing site early enough to join in a collective toast at noon Central time and get on with the brewing.

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/events/national-homebrew-day