Calling Bergen County Home Brewers!

[Johnnyboy1012]

Awesome! I will let them know about the law if they question that...good idea about leaving the beer in the car. I think 2-3 bottles if people have that to spare..if you keg..a growler will do. I have a bunch of plastic taster glasses from beerfests that I can bring that we can use as samplers. My idea is to make as little work for DnC as possible so using the plastic sampler glasses and rinsing them with a pitcher of water would probably be the best bet. If anyone else has some it'd be great if you brought some. Also, if you're out of homebrew or it's fermenting just come anyway...you don't need to bring beer to attend, but if you have some bring it.

 

[Johnnyboy1012]

Hey guys, I went to the DnC last night and spoke to Josh about the homebrew club. He seemed less enthused about the idea this time then when I spoke with him about it the first time (I think his bosses are weary of the idea). He basically said his bosses want to know what's in it for them and how will they make money if we come in, take up space, and don't buy anything. He also said it'd be better if we could commit to purchasing some kind of food like an appetizer platter or something of the sort. I told him it shouldn't be a problem that we do some kind of appetizer platter and that we would most likely be buying beers from them because everyone isn't always going to have beer to bring every month.

Long story short, he again told me he will have to talk it over with his boss. I told him we planned on coming in this Tuesday and he said to still come in and he will arrange a meeting between me and his boss then. With all that being said...we are still on for Tuesday 4/1 at 7:30 and I think it's a better idea to not bring beers to this meeting to show them that we will be spending money there. How do you guys feel about this?

 

[Mike3701]

Sounds good to me, if it doesn't work out there we can always try and find another place.


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[widsith]

That's fine. I had assumed we would be buying some sort of food anyway. (I can see his point, if we don't buy anything, it kinda screws him.) Besides, some of us are likely to be coming straight from work.


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[blakelyc]

For those that can (easily) bring beer to share for this first night, I think the "bring and leave in car" is a good idea. If we can get to it great, if not then at least we're meeting up to figure out a plan. Maybe we can establish some kind of rotation that ensures we're not bringing in SO much beer that we're not also buying pints (and whatever food) from them. I'm happy to buy a round or two to get that conversation started

 

[widsith]

So how do we find each other? Is there a password? A secret handshake?

More seriously, is there a rezzie? Do we all meet at the bar? Just ask for the homebrew club?

FWIW, Ill be a 6'2" bald guy in a dress shirt and slacks.

 

[blakelyc]

I think me and Johnny will be there a little early to get space and talk to the folks there, so we'll make sure that the host knows where we are and can point you in the right direction. I'd guess that we'll be to the left of the bar, but not sure. I'll get a reservation just in case.

 

[CBelli]

Guys

Good luck tonight... I know the troubles of finding a place to host meetings in NJ... We are here in Essex... GlenRidgeHomebrewers.com

I have a couple places here in Glen Ridge & Nutley that have helped us out.

We have found that generally, they are willing to host as long as they make some money on food.

We use a place that charges $15 a head for a private room, some chaffing dishes of hot wings & sliders etc. and another place that lets us order food off the bar menu... our membership has no problems with this scenario....


Cheers

PS you are always welcome at GRHBA

 

[Johnnyboy1012]

Thank you for the support! Just ask the hostess and she'll direct you to our direction. I'll be bringing 2 or 3 beers to sample with some plastic sampler glasses. I'll leave them in a cooler in my car until we get the ok to bring them in. Hope to see everyone tonight!

 

[widsith]

It was great to meet you all. Im looking forward to our next meeting in May!

 

[Johnnyboy1012]

Yes it was great meeting everyone. Hopefully we can bring beers next time! I will most likely get in there before our next meeting to discuss our club with them.

 

[blakelyc]

So much fun meeting everyone! Couple of quick reminders:

* next meeting will be May 6th, location TBD (D&C is we can work it out)
* D&C Homebrewer's night IPA event is May 13, so come on by and support your fellow brewers!

And.... We need a club name! Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[steev]

What's up guys? I live in Jersey City and I've made a few beers. I always go to Corrados in Clifton for ingredients. Just wondering where else has homebrewing supplies in the Hudson/Bergen county area?

 

[blakelyc]

Hi Steev! It seems like most people go to Cask & Kettle (Boonton) or Corrado's or online. Personally, I go to C&K because their stock levels are generally reliable, but Corrado's rescued me last weekend with some uber fresh WLP-001. If you are available, you should swing by a meetup!

 

[Mike3701]

Blake which ph meter did you say you have?



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[LesIsMore]

What's up guys? I live in Jersey City and I've made a few beers. I always go to Corrados in Clifton for ingredients. Just wondering where else has homebrewing supplies in the Hudson/Bergen county area?

Thirsty Quaker opened up recently in Jersey City. It's a liquor store/homebrew store. It's not a big store, but it has a decent selection.

 

[blakelyc]

Blake which ph meter did you say you have?

The Hana Instruments PHEP5:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085WV6GM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I also picked up the Atlas Scientific calibration buffers and storage solution. Brewed with it for the first time last Sunday, it was brilliant. Calibrated it first thing and kept it in storage solution during the brew. Checked mash ph before gypsum addition, after gypsum addition, and then fine-tuned with 88% lactic. Ended up at 5.39, which I was happy with, but shocked to realize how far off I must have been on all my beers.

I haven't tasted anything yet,but I am very much looking forward to sharing and figuring out how it ends up.

 

[Mike3701]

Thanks for the info. Any progress on a location for the next meeting?


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[blakelyc]

I haven't been back in since our last meeting, so unless Johnny has been, there's no news. FWIW, I was looking into this for other purposes, and according to the NJ ABC Handbook:

"CAN A CUSTOMER BRING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INTO A LICENSED PREMISES?

There is no regulation prohibiting this practice, however, the licensee has the right to permit or prohibit this
practice as a matter of business policy. (See “Penalty – Effect on Use of Premises.&#8221"

 

[Mike3701]

Any place that serves alcohol, had to pay for the liquor license and they can be expensive. That's why they don't like you bringing in your own, they want the extra revenue selling you alcohol. I think we need to find a bring your own and all 7 of my taps on my kegerator are full. I need to get rid of some beer.


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[jcaddy35]

How did the dog and cask react to your april meeting there?

They should really embrace the homebrewer community as it can drive a lot of business their way...the way we run BWO at Maloney's down in Matawan is everyone typically orders a pint when they first get there and a lot of members order dinner. Then there are no issues with us breaking out some homebrews and passing it along. We also take care of the wait staff at the end.

I live up in Bergen County and would love to meet up for the next meeting. If D&C isn't playing ball, let me know where the next meeting will be!

 

[blakelyc]

Heya jcaddy! Keep paying attention to this thread and we'll announce the next location.

I like the idea of the BYO place, and that is looking more likely. I know that Johnny has tried to contact them, and I reached out by phone and email both--no response. I think D&C should be more eager, and if they end up saying no then I don't think I'll participate in any more home brewer's nights there. Liquor license or not, they are more than happy to use home brewers to pack their joint and serve free beer to their guests... A little quid pro quo seems in order

I just kicked two of three taps on my kegerator... I gonna get working! If you are all lucky, you'll get to taste the world's worst Berliner Weisse at the next meetup.

 

[blakelyc]

Hi folks:

a little off-topic, but I have need of a small business attorney. Are any of you out there small business attorneys, or could you recommend any?

Cheers,
-Blake

 

[Johnnyboy1012]

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been on the boards for a few days. I haven't been to the DnC since our last meet up in the beginning of April. Honestly, the past few times I've been there left a bad taste in my mouth with their lack of response and enthusiasm to help us since Blake and I helped them pack the place on the first homebrewers night. I'm with you Blake in regards to not wanting to participate in the homebrewers night if they don't want to help support us. I almost feel like not participating in this next one in May and still may not participate. Anyway...anyone brewed anything good lately? My most recent brew was a 50 IBU German Pilsner (which is out of style but I'm experimenting), I also have a boat beer clone that I want everyone to taste and give me feedback on, as well as a stout I'm trying to get rid of. Next meeting we will need to bring some beer because I can't drink all of this myself!

 

[Mike3701]

Hi folks:

a little off-topic, but I have need of a small business attorney. Are any of you out there small business attorneys, or could you recommend any?

Cheers,
-Blake

I'm no help but are you looking to go pro?!?!?


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[jcaddy35]

I just brewed a 30 IBU American Wheat beer, should be ready in about 3 weeks!

 

[blazin]

Hey guys, just came across this thread. I live in ridgewood and am definitely interested in participating in any local homebrew meetups.

 

[blakelyc]

I'm no help but are you looking to go pro?!?!?


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In a way, yes... and interesting opportunity has presented itself and I want to see if it can work out. My days in Corporate America are very quickly coming to an end.

 

[blakelyc]

Hi everyone!

So here's a question for the group: should we go to D&C next Tuesday and risk not trying homebrew? Or should we go somewhere else and deal with D&C the following week during IPMay?

I'd suggest that if we want to guarantee a homebrew tasting, we could think about the Farmhouse Cafe in Cresskill. Not sure how that is for everyone to get to, but it is BYO, reasonably priced, and has great food.

Thoughts? Feelings?
-b

 

[jcaddy35]

I can stop by either place. If you want to ensure we can pass around some homebrews, let's try out the Farmhouse Cafe!