October Meeting Notes

On the first Thursday of the month we had our monthly Trubmeisters
meeting at our house.  It was a blast.  Every one of you missed it.

Last night we met at the Silver Creek Brewery.  I guess that had more of
a draw to get people to show up.  Steve's directions were impeccable.
The place was near Columbia Road, but not on it.  It was on the river,
but not visible from the road.  It was "well" identified by a piece of
paper with the name on it about 2.5 feet off the ground.  That well
placed signage was overtowered by two very obvious signs letting the
driver of would be cars know the driveway was for Don's customers ONLY. 
Hence, we only drove past it about 3 times before daring to enter and
question Don himself.  After a close up and personal tour of Cedarburg
for about 20 minutes, I found a fellow HAM radio operator (none other
than Sandy Wirth himself Ozaukee County board member) and he verified
the location was well hidden underneath Don's protective driveway.

Although we showed up a bit late, there was plenty of beer and a good
enough selection of food.  There were 3 kinds of CWD meat.  (Chronic
Wasting Disease)  Two sausages and a smoked sliced version.  All were
very good.  We had at least 2 kinds of bread that I recall, but I think
there were actually 3.  Mary made some blond brownie kind of things.
Very sweet and yummy.  Good flavor too.  Someone brought some chips and
bean dip.  It was very temperature hot, so it must have been fresh!  I
am sure I missed something else.  It was good food anyhow.

The beer selection was better than usual.  There was a herd of kegs on
the floor.  I recall at least 14.  Or was that after seeing double?
There were meads and wines too.  I'll try to hit as many as I can
recall.

Thistle & Heather Mead
Blackberry, Blueberry, & Clover Mead
Raspberry Mead
Merlot or Cabernet (I don't remember which) wine  (Very good too Ken!)
A Merlot commercial wine
Stout
Porter
Pumpkin
Oktoberfest
Some Ale
and a couple more that slip my memory this morning.

The brewery was pretty cool.  Most of it is visible from the bar.  We
did get a tour into the cold and colder rooms.  They sound like the
selections will be well worth a repeat visit.  I think I recall a beer
they are aging for 2 years!  We have to make a date to go back in a
couple years to help them tap that first keg.  They have 12 tap handles.
One root beer they make.  The rest are other beers.  The have Grey's
Oatmeal Stout and New Glarus Raspberry Tart both on tap.  This is about
to become my favorite hang out.  :-)  Those are 2 of the best beers
anywhere on the Earth!

I should mention the layout of the place is very nice.  There is a
portion of the river running underneath it!  You have to walk over a
bridge to get inside.  The sound of rushing water is pretty cool.  There
is a little falls on the outside deck.  It is man made, but since the
dam is within sight and sound range, it makes for an interesting
illusion.  If you didn't make it last night, you should go yourself.  It
is worth the search and discovery mission.  If you get lost, just don't
ask Steve for directions.

We had a few new members.  Russ Kidd stopped by and joined up.  His wife
is Lorelei.  She didn't make it, but I hope she can next time.  Lisa had
a new nurse, Tara.  I guess Dan finally teed her old one off too much.
Kitty does something with sewing.  She is a homebrewer and new member
too.  I didn't get a chance to find out if she has other family members,
but I am sure we'll find out more at future meetings.  Finally a young
couple Brett and Debra.  I guess Debra went to the school where Rick
teaches.  Debra says Brett and her are a long term relationship, but
Brett says it is only as long as she makes good beer for him.  I should
add for the new members that this news letter is only about 50% true.
(So if all I write is 50% true, then it is really either 100% or 0%
true, but which it is is ...  AGGGHHHH!)  You have to decide when the
author embellished on a story.   And a personal note to the bum who
lives walking distance from Silver Creek.  Hope your team got whipped
like never before.  Your priority should have been beer.  :-)

There was a vote last night for the coveted position of President for
life.  George won for a second life time term.  Long live the king.
Betty was so upset she refused to even show up.  I guess she knew George
would win before we even voted.  There was much cheering and joy among
the natives.  Betty, you have to give up the presidential mug.

Katie said she wanted to host the June meeting next year.  Apparently
she has a cardboard shack she lives in under the 6th street bridge.
That is the time when the bugs are plentiful so there will be snack food
for everyone.  

We only have 4 more meetings planned.  It is about time to choose
locations for next years meetings.  Bring your calendars next month so
we can compare notes.  I and Diana will once again sign up early in the
year in pencil only to be pushed out to October a couple months at a
time by others who think we shouldn't host the month we ask for.  ;-)

Next month's meeting is in Port Washington at Rick's place.  Best
described as the McDonald's and crab tank place.  Hope to see you all
there.  You'll get directions as the time draws closer.

A Good Beer To All, And To All A Good Beer.
                                          Jeff Kane