Falcons, sign up now for the next fantastic monthly Club Shop Brew Session, coming up on Sunday, April 27, as Tom Sisolak leads the crew to brew a delicious Märzen! This is a lager!
Märzen/Oktoberfest style beers have their origins in Bavaria, probably before the 16th century. A Bavarian brewing ordinance decreed in 1553 that beer may be brewed only between 29 September and 23 April, so that beer brewed during hot summer months wouldn't be as susceptible to infection. To have an ample supply of saleable beer on hand during the summer and fall, brewers worked overtime in March, brewing a dark and stronger beer using dark roasted Munich and caramelized Munich malt so it would keep for a long time. It was the beer served at the original Oktoberfest celebration, which originated as a wedding reception for the King Ludwig I and Maria Theresa, and remains an Oktoberfest classic. Modern Märzens use German Vienna and Munich malts for a distinctive and complex maltiness with caramel and toasted aspects, but dry, not sweet, and have moderate hop bitterness from noble hops.
Sign up now for what promises to be another great brewing day!
All Brew Crew members will be brewing on the Falcons' 40-gallon all-grain brew system located at the Home Beer Wine and Cheese Making Shop in Woodland Hills. Crew members will participate in all aspects of the brewing process from measuring and crushing the grain to clean up and fermentation. Each participant will pitch in for the cost of ingredients (usually $10-$15), and take 5 gallons of wort to ferment at home. So it's very economical and a great opportunity to get some hands-on brewing experience on a larger, more sophisticated brewing system than most homebrewers have access to, learn new recipes, and, of course, a chance to hang out with your fellow Falcons and share brews and snacks. Remember to bring some cash for your share of the ingredients and a carboy or a bucket for your wort.
To participate, you must be an up-to-date, dues-paid Maltose Falcons member. Your membership status will be verified prior to your spot being confirmed on the brew crew.
You must sign up here by clicking the "Sign up for April Club Shop Brew" link below. Please email me your FULL NAME and CELL PHONE NUMBER at publicity@maltosefalcons.com so we can confirm your membership and contact you if there is any problems with your membership or with the brew day itself. No exceptions.
We welcome new members, or members who have not yet been on a Brew Crew, to sign up for this event. If you have been on a Brew Crew within the past 3 months, you are not eligible to be on this crew unless spots are left empty by brew day. Signups are at the end of this event posting. No sign ups will be accepted via the yahoogroups or email to the crew leader or the publicity director. There are only 7 spots on the Crew, including the crew leader, since we're setting aside a Falcon's share for the club's 40th anniversary events. Please volunteer to babysit the Falcon's share!
Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the crew is filled, there may be a waiting list in case a crew member can't make it on brew day. Brew Crew Members, please arrive on time and be prepared to stay until brew day is over, which includes cleaning and stowing all equipment, utensils, work area, and classroom. That may be after 4:00 pm.
Of course anyone who is interested in observing the all-grain brewing process is welcome to come by the shop to hang out and chat with the Crew. Beer and snacks to share are always welcome.
Cheers!
Matt Myerhoff
Publicity Director, Maltose Falcons Board