The AABC is getting closer

By Darryl Barbour, President

The big event that is now getting close for amateur brewers Australia wide is the Australian Amateur Brewing Championships (AABC). As the Canberra Brewers, we have been one of the most successful clubs outright – according to the results summaries, in the 15 years of the AABC, Canberra Brewers members have taken out 7 of the 13 “Best Beer of Show” awards and 7 of the 8 “Champion Brewer” awards. Add to that two of the four awards for “Champion State”, which appears to have only been awarded since 2006.

Now pride may come before a fall, and we should recognise that we’ll all be winners in the pursuit to brew a better beer, but it would be great to continue our hugely successful run at Nationals and bring back a bit more glassware for the cabinet.

For those new to the club, there will be a qualifying competition late in the year, the ACT Amateur Brewing Championship, and the top three beers in each category (see the AABC website for category details) qualify for the AABC which will be in Melbourne this year. Our competitions throughout the year should provide the feedback to help you perfect your recipes. So now is the time to have your fermenters working overtime on the stronger ales and lagers to give them that bit of conditioning time, and have them reaching their prime for the big event.

On the theme of the AABC, I have had an official request from the organisers for any available assistance to judge on Thursday October 28. They are looking to gather some 60 judges so that all categories can be done on the one day. I know we have lots of experienced beer judges (BJCP qualified or not) and I’m looking at whether there is interest in a club minibus tour (calling Major Tom) for both the AABC and the conference that will follow on Friday and Saturday. Details and expressions of interest on the forum soon.

Finally, we are now just two months away from the National Science Festival where we will have a stall, hopefully be brewing beer and have a presentation spot (or two) to talk about home brewing. We’ll need more than a few hands on deck to help with both organising and running the stall, so please put your hand up to volunteer.