Bay Area Brew Crew

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BABC History

by Mike Winslow

Greg Miller opened the San Mateo, Northern Homebrew Shop in late 93', I started going in and hanging out in early 94'. Greg and I hit it off and I gave Greg some ideas to better his sparse shop. In March of 94' Greg asked me if I would start a club that was based through the shop, his idea was that he would acquire a set of regular customers. I told him that I had belonged to another Homebrew Club for two years in the late 80's and hated it. Therefore, I wasn't to hip on the idea. Nevertheless, I did it anyway.

We had 14 people at the first meeting and I hid behind a chalkboard as I rambled off the pros and cons of starting a HB club and answered questions. Keith being my original prod to do the club, sat in the group and coaxed me through different subjects, interjecting his philosophies on the benefit of club life.

By April, we were working on a name for the new club. People came up with Grateful Dextrin’s, Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hops Club, Motley Brew Crew, Grateful Dregs, Hot Trub, Fondling Fermenters, etc. Somehow, we ended up with Bay Area Brew Crew. Our current president, Carlos, sat in on that second meeting and although he has never left the BABC, he remained a silent faction for quite some time. I started doing a newsletter in May of 94' and have continued it ever since. At years end we had acquired a loose structural foundation with a president and vice president. The Bylaws came in early 1995.

By August of 1995, the BABC took on its first major project, the San Mateo Co. Fair homebrew competition. We threw ourselves head first into the project and learned quickly that putting on a HB Competition was no easy task. We continued doing the competition for one more year then stopped due to problems with the festivals stiff dealings and cooperation. In March of 95, we had our first Pub crawl to San Francisco (Thanks to Keith for ALL Pub-Crawls). June we had our first BBQ (Thanks to Eddie for continuing to this day!). We spent the first two years heavily educating our members in the brewing process and provided brewing sessions. Our skills improved and the BABC won their first Blue Ribbon at the State HB Competition in 95’ winning a Best of Show for a Belgian Dubbel. We ribboned in San Mateo Fair as well. Excited with the new competition wins we proceeded to have In Club Competitions which last only till the end of the year.

1996 to 1997 were building and structuring years. The BABC started a yeast bank, held workshops and started some of our annual events: The BABC BBQ, Holiday Party, Pub-Crawl and brewery tours. We managed to pull off some first place Ribbons in the Lager categories with the help of our superior Lager brewer, Dick. In 1997, Greg decided to let us take over the upstairs of the shop! The BABC built a 16-ft. bar with 2 taps, a sofa, TV, microwave, dartboard and refrigerator. We held most of our meetings in this 20 X14 ft space and it became real crowded when we got up to 40 members! In 1997 our long running VP and original founder, Chris Metzcus, decided to move on. He was the idea man and his loss was tough.

About the same time we acquired two new members who later would become an intricate part of the BABC family.

Sean came into the shop one day and shared some of his new Homebrew, a Peach Weizen. It was cloudy, sweet and real peachy, it could have had a Bud to give it a beer base no one would have known! He was young and pompous as he told his tale of being a chef at a bunch of five star restraunts in San Francisco. My thought was, " We might be able to use a Chef at some point in this club." Sean’s personality, brewing skills and vision have become one of our greatest assets. Thanks Sigmund!

Carlos brought Mikey into the BABC, these two were the most reserved silent soul mates anyone could meet. Mikey soon loosed up and brought to us an excellent welder and sheet metal source, as well as, being a great brewer and everyone’s favorite member and friend. Thanks Huggy Bear!

At this time in the club, we didn’t realize that we would soon need the friendship and camaraderie to survive.

The BABC gained members at a rapid rate, we had 20 members by 95', 30 by 96' and 40' by 97'. Then something happened - Micros had run amuck and the beer quality fell. When the Micros beer quality fell, so did homebrewing. We lost 27 members in about 1 1/2 years! We figured they were just along for ride and we wrote them off. The rest of us became known as, "The Core." The Core consisted of the president, rotating VP’s, Eddie as editor, Kellie as Treasurer and a handful of other members who all have worked hard. The Core has maintained the BABC since about late 98'.

1998 brought some interesting developments to the BABC. We acquired a great hard working couple to the club. Robert and Trish brought hard working energy that club needed. We started our annual Barelywine Brewoff and became involved with the First Annual Northern California Homebrewers festival. In addition, 1998 brought us Jeff and Jenny with their great knowledge of beer and ever-sobering dispositions, as well as, our British soothsayer Max.

In 1999, we decided we would need to expand our presence at the NCHF and build a bar for the festival. We took most of the year to scrape money up for the 2000 preview. Carlos and Mikey punctuated the year by winning First place at the State Comp for their Barleywine. By mid 99', I was getting a little burned out after almost 6 years of directing, delegating, dictating, etc. So I told the group, 99' would be my last year as president. Although, I was known as the Democratic Dictator, I held the reigns for a long time and had organized most events, outings and so on with the help of Chris, Sean and Keith. Although, all the VP's were always very involved with every aspect, none of them wanted the task of running the club.

Sean eventually agreed to take the reigns, which didn’t workout do to membership upheaval. So, Keith took over and caused another upheaval! I had to take over the presidency for awhile. Frustrated, but not disillusioned, we let the end of 2000 come.

2000 brought the BABC into new directions. I became in charge of NCHF Communications and Sean became the Head Chef of the entire festival. Carlos and Mikey worked on our BABC Bar. After everyone’s input and a lot of hard work on Mikey’s part, our gleeming 12 tap system became a reality! Robert and Trish won second place for their Barley wine and Max moved back to England.

In the meantime, we begged (literally!) Carlos to take over for 2001. The BABC trusted him and his ability to take charge. In addition, no one else wanted to do it!

Carlos maintained our original fire in 2001 and has brought us to a new stability! (Words can not describe our appreciation, Carlos!) 2001 brought me out of the presidency and deeper into the Organizing role of the NCHF. We acquired new members for the first time in three years! Alan joined mid year and brought us all back to the sobering review of the brewing process, which has at times has been refreshing. By years end we acquired Jay and Tee in the 11th hour of 2001. I’m sure they will be an asset to the BABC.

Going into our 8th year I reflect on the thought that Keith, Carlos, Greg and I are the only members left from those original meetings! While Greg’s’ involvement in now minimal due to his busy schedule and Carlos, along with many others have become more than just members, but friends. I need to thank Keith for always being there for support, advise, humor, perspective and shot when needed! LYM! (Don’t get all sensitive and weepy, Bunghole!)

The BABC revoted Carlos back in for 2002! I was asked to be VP this year and reluctantly agreed. 2002 will be another great year for the BABC, we hope you can come aboard and join us!

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