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Date: 14 Jul 2006 20:47:25
From:
Subject: Getting homebrewers together outside of a big city -- possible?
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I'm out in east Texas and am trying to figure out ways of expanding my
social circles. Craigslist has expanded to include an East Texas
section, and I've pondered the idea of attempting to start a little
homebrew get-together. Just to put a brew on the stove, have a few
bottles, and shoot the bull with some interesting people. I realize
I'm unlikely to find any expert homebrewers and would be playing the
part of show & tell a lot.
Has anyone done anything like this outside a big city? Is posting
about this on Craiglist likely to attract the interest of genuinely
interesting people, or is it likely to just attract drunks and shady
characters? What other ways are there of finding potential
homebrewers?
I know Dallas, Houston, and Austin have brew groups, but trying to do
something under their wing is not relevant, considering this is mainly
for fun and a drive to/from those locales is an all-day thing. I also
don't know of any LHBS shops outside those areas. I did find a
reference to Home Brew Depot of Tyler, TX, however according to
archive.org they faded in 1999
<http://web.archive.org/web/19991018183152/http://www.homebrewdepot.com/ >,
which referenced an "East Texas Fermenters" that currently has
absolutely no hits on Google.
I guess they folded, which suggests that maybe it's impossible to band
together interest outside a big city. Maybe this is an exercise in
futility.
Thoughts?
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Date: 15 Jul 2006 10:51:37
From: Wayne
Subject: Re: Getting homebrewers together outside of a big city -- possible?
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hodyoaten@gmail.com wrote:
> I'm out in east Texas and am trying to figure out ways of expanding my
> social circles. Craigslist has expanded to include an East Texas
> section, and I've pondered the idea of attempting to start a little
> homebrew get-together. Just to put a brew on the stove, have a few
> bottles, and shoot the bull with some interesting people. I realize
> I'm unlikely to find any expert homebrewers and would be playing the
> part of show & tell a lot.
>
> Has anyone done anything like this outside a big city? Is posting
> about this on Craiglist likely to attract the interest of genuinely
> interesting people, or is it likely to just attract drunks and shady
> characters? What other ways are there of finding potential
> homebrewers?
>
>
I too travel 30 miles each way to go to our monthly brew club meetings
and events. You might be surprised at how far people in rural areas
will travel for social event. For some city folks, 30 miles each way is
an overnight trip. I know that out in Western Nebraska, 30 miles is
just an ordinary trip to town for groceries and other necessities. I
think the biggest problem will be just getting word out to folks.
Craiglist could be a start as would posting a notice at your LHBS. If
you can get 2 or 3 folks together, plan a group brew session and then
write up a short article for the small town newspapers talking about the
plan. Be sure that the article mentions that the public is welcome to
come and watch. In the small towns, they are often hard up enough for
news that they will print any coherent story that they don't have to
chase down and write up themselves. I used to be an editor for a small
town paper. We were glad to get these kinds of stories.
Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company
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Date: 15 Jul 2006 10:55:27
From: Gerard Eberlein
Subject: Re: Getting homebrewers together outside of a big city -- possible?
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<hodyoaten@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1152935245.070997.185100@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
> I'm out in east Texas and am trying to figure out ways of expanding my
> social circles. Craigslist has expanded to include an East Texas
> section, and I've pondered the idea of attempting to start a little
> homebrew get-together. Just to put a brew on the stove, have a few
> bottles, and shoot the bull with some interesting people. I realize
> I'm unlikely to find any expert homebrewers and would be playing the
> part of show & tell a lot.
>
> Has anyone done anything like this outside a big city? Is posting
> about this on Craiglist likely to attract the interest of genuinely
> interesting people, or is it likely to just attract drunks and shady
> characters? What other ways are there of finding potential
> homebrewers?
>
> I know Dallas, Houston, and Austin have brew groups, but trying to do
> something under their wing is not relevant, considering this is mainly
> for fun and a drive to/from those locales is an all-day thing. I also
> don't know of any LHBS shops outside those areas. I did find a
> reference to Home Brew Depot of Tyler, TX, however according to
> archive.org they faded in 1999
> <http://web.archive.org/web/19991018183152/http://www.homebrewdepot.com/>,
> which referenced an "East Texas Fermenters" that currently has
> absolutely no hits on Google.
>
> I guess they folded, which suggests that maybe it's impossible to band
> together interest outside a big city. Maybe this is an exercise in
> futility.
>
> Thoughts?
I've never tried to get one going but I usually travel 30 to 50 miles to go
to my meetings once a month. It's well worth the gas IMO. I've made alot of
nice friends and one guy in the club actually lives close by me and said we
could get together and brew sometime. Very cool since I do extract and he
does all grain. Maybe he will be the one to convince me to make the leap to
AG. Good luck on your venture. I personally would google the hell out of
craft/brewing/city/TX, or even call your local home brew store and ask if
they know of one.
Gerard
>
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Date: 15 Jul 2006 07:53:48
From: Phil
Subject: Re: Getting homebrewers together outside of a big city -- possible?
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On 14 Jul 2006 20:47:25 -0700, hodyoaten@gmail.com wrote:
>
>I guess they folded, which suggests that maybe it's impossible to band
>together interest outside a big city. Maybe this is an exercise in
>futility.
I know of clubs where the members travel quite a bit when they gather.
It can be done.
Check the club listings at: http://www.beertown.org to see if there
are any local clubs in your area. If not, there might be tips on
starting your own club.
Phil
======
visit the New York City Homebrewers Guild website:
http://www.hbd.org/nychg
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Date: 22 Jul 2006 10:25:43
From: Larry Bristol
Subject: Re: Getting homebrewers together outside of a big city -- possible?
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hodyoaten@gmail.com wrote:
> I'm out in east Texas and am trying to figure out ways of expanding my
> social circles.
> [...]
I thought I would throw in a word or two since I have a similar situation.
I am located near Bellville, TX, a very small town about 85 miles west of
Houston. A long time ago, I was very active in the Foam Rangers, but it is
just too much to drive to the city on a weeknight to attend the club
meetings. But I stay active in other events like the Dixie Cup in Houston
and the Bluebonnet in Dallas, and I have made a lot of friends that way.
It seems a lot of others from well outside these cities also attend.
In a small town like this, I used to think I was probably the only brewer
around. But Bellville is located in Austin County, which has the second
highest per capita consumption of beer in the state. [Especially since *I*
moved here!] Austin county is located just south of Washington County
(Brenham) which has (you guessed it!) the *highest* per capita consumption
of beer in Texas! OK, it's probably a lot of Bubba Beer, but rednecks can
sometimes be persuaded to try something new, especially when it's free
hooch, don't cha know!
So armed with this information, I figured I could find someone in the area
who was at least *interested* in what I do! And sure enough, whenever I
had guests (read "captive audience"), I would show them my hobby and let
them sample my wares. Needless to say, my popularity has been steadily
increasing, and I have convinced a few of these people to give brewing a
try for themselves. And I keep hearing things like, "Do you know so-and-so
over in Cat Springs? I think he has a cousin who brews his own beer, too!"
Before long, I hope to have a well populated brew club right out here in
the sticks.
Who needs Houston, Dallas, or any of those other hell holes they call big
cities? <smile >
BTW: Even out here in the sticks, I host an annual Oktoberfest party, with
beer and BBQ. Now, I'm not technically inviting the whole of UseNet [of
course you are, you dumbass!] but if one should drop by my website (see
below) they could sign up for a "newsletter". You'll only get 3-4 mailings
a year, and the whole purpose is to tell people about this year's party!
--
Larry Bristol --- The Double Luck
http://www.doubleluck.com
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Date: 22 Jul 2006 14:44:15
From: Ken Haycook
Subject: Re: Getting homebrewers together outside of a big city -- possible?
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In the Dallas area there is a Internet Club that may be of use to
you. They are called the Net-hoppers.
Next thing I would suggest is to continue your advertising on the Home
Brew Digest. You's be surprised how many lurkers that forum has.
It depends on how far east Texas you are, Tyler and possibly
Shreveport may have brewers. Talk to the LHBS in Dallas and Houston to
see if they have any customers in your area.
Go to the Bluebonnet and Dixie cup each year and talk to the
organizers. They attract brewers from all over the area. Get involved
with Judging brews. That will expand you network.
Don't give up. It usually is a great group.
Ken
On 14 Jul 2006 20:47:25 -0700, hodyoaten@gmail.com wrote:
>I'm out in east Texas and am trying to figure out ways of expanding my
>social circles. Craigslist has expanded to include an East Texas
>section, and I've pondered the idea of attempting to start a little
>homebrew get-together. Just to put a brew on the stove, have a few
>bottles, and shoot the bull with some interesting people. I realize
>I'm unlikely to find any expert homebrewers and would be playing the
>part of show & tell a lot.
>
>Has anyone done anything like this outside a big city? Is posting
>about this on Craiglist likely to attract the interest of genuinely
>interesting people, or is it likely to just attract drunks and shady
>characters? What other ways are there of finding potential
>homebrewers?
>
>I know Dallas, Houston, and Austin have brew groups, but trying to do
>something under their wing is not relevant, considering this is mainly
>for fun and a drive to/from those locales is an all-day thing. I also
>don't know of any LHBS shops outside those areas. I did find a
>reference to Home Brew Depot of Tyler, TX, however according to
>archive.org they faded in 1999
><http://web.archive.org/web/19991018183152/http://www.homebrewdepot.com/>,
>which referenced an "East Texas Fermenters" that currently has
>absolutely no hits on Google.
>
>I guess they folded, which suggests that maybe it's impossible to band
>together interest outside a big city. Maybe this is an exercise in
>futility.
>
>Thoughts?
>
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