From now until April 12th 2012, every time you use Lallemand Premium Brewing Yeast, you can use the empty package to enter for a chance to win a web-based brewing course! In the "Beer School 2012" contest, Lallemand will sponsor one lucky winner in a random draw for fully-paid tuition in the 2012 World Brewing Academy web-based Concise Course in Brewing Technology. A $3,200 value, the Concise Course offers intermediate-level training that will build on your brewing knowledge to give you a complete understanding of the commercial brewing process. Along with the above grand prize, we will also be drawing for 10 secondary prizes of a 500gm package of Lallemand premium brewing yeast!

To enter, just download the official entry form and rules by clicking here http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101070239500-71/Rules+for+the+Beer+School+2012+contest.pdf , print out the entry form, attach an empty package from any 500gm size of Lallemand brewing yeast and mail it to the address listed on the form. You can enter as many times as you like, so the more you brew with our yeast, the better your chance of winning!

You can get complete details by clicking the "Contests" link on our web site at http://www.lallemandbrewing.com . For more information on the contest or on any of our products, or contact Keith Lemcke by email at klemcke@lallemand.com


Lallemand Brewing

6100 Royalmount,

Montreal, QC, Canada

H4P 2R2

I am putting together a master list of major beer festivals in Ohio in 2012 for a story to be published Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the Akron Beacon Journal. I wanted to make sure that I'm not missing any big events in the state. Again, I'm looking for the big ones.
If there is an Ohio festival missing from below, please let me know.
Thanks.

Rick Armon
Staff writer
Akron Beacon Journal
330-996-3569
www.beer.ohio.com


Columbus Winter Beerfest: Jan 14

AleFest Columbus: Feb. 4

Cincinnati Brew Ha-Ha!: Feb. 4

Cincy Winter Beerfest: Feb. 10-11

Glass City Brew Fest (Toledo): March 2

Big Tap In (Youngstown): April 21

Cask AleFest Dayton: April 28

International Beer Fest (Cleveland): April 11-12

Ohio Brew Week (Athens): June 22-30

Blues & Brews (Akron): ???

Dayton Beer Week: Aug. 18-25

AleFest Dayton: Aug. 25

Cleveland Labor Day Oktoberfest: Aug. 31-Sept. 3

Pawpaw Festival: Sept. 15, 16, 17

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati: Sept. 21-23

Big Beers & Barley Wines (Dayton): Oct. 13

Cleveland Beer Week: Oct. 19-27

Call for Entries and Judges
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

The Basics
The Competition is open only to BJCP categories 10A (American Pale Ale), 10B (Amber Ale), 10C (American Brown Ale), 14B (American IPA), 14C (Imperial IPA), and 19C (American Barleywine)
1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be given for each category as well as a very special award for best of show.
The Best of Show winner will get the opportunity to brew their award winning beer at Rivertown Brewing! You will also get to showcase your creation at the 2012, Cincinnati Riverfest Party On The Bridge, during the Labor Day Weekend Fireworks extravaganza. The awards ceremony will be held during the Cincy Winter Beerfest on Saturday night.

Call for Entries
For all the specifics on how to enter log in to register at: http://allamericanale.brewcompetition.com/index.php

Call to Judges and Stewards
Judges will receive FREE entrance to the Cincy Winter Beerfest, Saturday evening session, a meal ticket to use during the festival and a voucher to pay for parking. To check out more about the festival go to: http://www.cincybeerfest.com/

Judging will take place at the Convention Center, Saturday, February 11th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Duke Energy Convention Center
http://www.duke-energycenter.com/2100/Default.asp

Stay at Cincinnati Hyatt-Regency at the special reduced rate of $95.00 per night. When making reservations mention you are in town to judge at the Cincy Winter Beerfest, All- American Ale Competition.
http://cincinnati.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/services/maps/index.jsp

The awards ceremony will be held during the Cincy Winter Beerfest on Saturday night.
For all the specifics and to sign up to Judge or Steward log in to register at: http://allamericanale.brewcompetition.com/index.php

Prost!
Rick Franckhauser

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God ? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Gordon was the proprietor of a bar in Glasgow. He realises that virtually all of his customers are unemployed alcoholics and as such can no longer afford to patronise his bar.

To solve this problem, he comes up with a new marketing plan that allows his customers to drink now, but pay later. Gordon keeps track of the drinks consumed on a ledger (thereby granting the customers loans).

Word gets around about Gordon's "drink now, pay later" marketing strategy and, as a result, increasing numbers of customers flood into his bar. Soon he has the largest sales volume for any bar in Glasgow.

By providing his customers freedom from immediate payment demands, Gordon gets no resistance when, at regular intervals, he substantially increases his prices for wine and beer, the most consumed beverages. Consequently, Gordon's gross sales volume increases massively.

A young and dynamic president at the local bank recognises that these customer debts constitute valuable future assets and increases Gordon's borrowing limit. He sees no reason for any undue concern because he has the debts of the unemployed alcoholics as collateral!

At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert traders figure a way to make huge commissions, and transform these customer loans into DRINKBONDS. These 'securities' are then bundled and traded on international securities markets. Naive investors don't really understand that the securities being sold to them as "AAA Secured Bonds" really are debts of unemployed alcoholics. Nevertheless, the bond prices continuously climb - and the securities soon become the hottest-selling items for some of the nation's leading brokerage houses.

One day, even though the bond prices still are climbing, a risk manager at the original local bank decides that the time has come to demand payment on the debts incurred by the drinkers at Gordon's bar. He so informs Gordon.

Gordon then demands payment from his alcoholic patrons. But, being unemployed alcoholics - they cannot pay back their drinking debts. Since Gordon cannot fulfil his loan obligations he is forced into bankruptcy. The bar closes and Gordon's 11 employees lose their jobs. Overnight, DRINKBOND prices drop by 90%.

The collapsed bond asset value destroys the bank's liquidity and prevents it from issuing new loans, thus freezing credit and economic activity in the community. The suppliers of Gordon's bar had granted him generous payment extensions and had invested their firms' pension funds in the BOND securities. They find they are now faced with having to write off his bad debt and with losing over 90% of the presumed value of the bonds.

His wine supplier also claims bankruptcy, closing the doors on a family business that had endured for three generations, his beer supplier is taken over by a competitor, who immediately closes the local plant and lays off 150 workers.

Fortunately though, the bank, the brokerage houses and their respective executives are saved and bailed out by a multibillion pound no-strings attached cash infusion from the government. The funds required for this bailout are obtained by new taxes levied on employed, middle-class, non-drinkers who have never even been in Gordon's bar.

Now do you understand?

Category 1. Classic Oktoberfest:
First: Great Lakes Oktoberfest
Second: Brew Kettle Oktofest
Third: Thirsty Dog Barktoberfest

Category 2. German Light Lagers:
First: Fatheads Gudenhoppy (Kellerbier)
Second: Black Box Brewing Company Crooked River Black Forest lager
Third: Gordon Biersch Festbier

Category 3. German Ales:
First: Goose Island Summertime Ale (Kolsch)
Second: Ohio Brewing Verich Kolsch
Third: Fatheads Alpenglow (Weizenbock)

Category 4. Open:
First: Brew Kettle Smoked Maerzen (Rauchbier)
Second: Fatheads Spooky Tooth (Imperial Pumpkin Ale)
Third: Cellar Rats Amber Ale

Best of Show:
First: Brew Kettle Smoked Maerzen (Rauchbier)
Second: Gordon Biersch Schwarzbier
Third: Goose Island Summertime Ale (Kolsch)

Please read it carefully!!!!
Please note the seminar time if you are interested in attending. Please note that you may use one form for as many as ten entries as long as they are the same winemaker.

The contest will be on Saturday, September 10th. I would like to be sure to get all of the wines delivered at least two weeks before the contest.
In an effort to get entries earlier, the fee for all entries received after Saturday August 27th will be $20.00 ($10.00 extra).

Please make checks out to Matt Silvaggio and note “wine contest” in the text area of the check. If anyone is interested in assisting with the food or beverages for the banquet, please call me at 440-292-6985. Cleanup will be handled exclusively by Church and School personnel.

Wine donations for the reception are also needed and greatly appreciated ..........
Grazie e' buona fortuna: Matteo

The winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to Cleveland, Ohio, where she will have a professional makeover, photo shoot, and night on the town. The photos will be on the labels of the ever-popular Plumber’s Crack Ale.
To win, the contestants will be asked to answer a beer trivia question, perform a talent, and show off
their best plumber’s pose. The contestants will be judged on their planning/preparedness, originality,
interaction with the audience, quality of the performance, and the overall presentation.
If you are selected for the contest, you will be required to be at the Smiling Skull Saloon on the
evening on Thursday, July 14th at 8 PM. Failure to be present at this time will immediately
disqualify you from the contest.
To enter, simply fill out the Application form below and
answer the question at the bottom. Entries will be
collected from 10 AM on Monday, July 11 until the
close of business on Wednesday, July 13th by the
bartender at the Smiling Skull Saloon.
Application Form: Download file
Just what will the judges be looking for? Judging Form Download file

"Ohio Brew Week and the Dairy Barn have a great working relationship, and OBW is honored that the Dairy Barn wants to be the first kick-off event to welcome people to Ohio Brew Week number 6," said Dan Gates, director.

On Saturday, July 9, a Rock 'n' Roast bbq will start at 6 p.m. at the Ohio University Inn, 331 Richland Avenue. Music, bbq, Elevator Brewing Co. craft brews will all be available until 9:30 p.m.

Speaker Lew Bryson, a beer journalist, will talk about "Beer's Wonderful Stuff." Bryson will host a Craft brew dinner at 7 p.m.., Sunday, July 10 at The Pub. The Keg Tap ceremony kicks off the full week, Monday, July 11, 6 p.m. at Jackie O's Pub & Brewery, Athens' only microbrewery. Bryson will give another short talk, "The People's Drink: Beer!"

The Athens Cuisine Showcase will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 12 at Abrio's Brick Oven. This event highlights Athens area chefs and their creations using locally-grown foods and Ohio craft brews. OBW is also working with the 30-mile Meal program to feature locally grown foods in participating restaurants all week.

Area artisan Kevin Morgan has created a second original Collectible OBW art poster that will be on sale all week and is available signed and unsigned through OHIO BREW WEEK.com .

"All the brewery owners and brewers in Ohio have great respect and affection for OBW," said Gates. "They applaud our efforts to educate the public about the art of craft brew, and celebrate Ohio Brew Week at other brew events. We are pleased that most of the breweries will be participating in Athens this year."

The popular Haunted Hocking tour returns this year with naturalist Pat Quakenbush leading two tours of area haunted spots. The 3rd Brew BQ Cook-off starts at noon, Friday, July 15 in the area around the historic Athens Train Depot on W. Union St. Amateur bbq-fans compete for great prizes and area bbq vendors will be on hand with an array of bbq foods and sides. The OBW Craft Brew Garden will be part of Boogie on the Bricks, Sat., July 16 again this year. Full schedule available at, OHIO BREW WEEK.com

"Ohio Brew Week has become an economic engine for southern Ohio and is especially good for Athens," Gates added. "Thousands come here from all over the country, enjoy quality Ohio craft brews, and explore our community, bringing in outside dollars. We believe OBW has a tremendous economic impact for Athens and the surrounding area."


OBW celebrates Ohio's diverse craft brews during the week-long Athens festival, with more than 100 craft beers from Ohio breweries!

On Facebook:

Rick Armon
Staff writer
Akron Beacon Journal
330-996-3569

The 2011 Ohio State Fair is July 27 - August 7!

If you have any questions, please let me know.
b.chance@expo.state.oh.us

We look forward to receiving your entries!
Brett Chance

Competition Coordinator
Brett D. Chance

Assistant General Manager &

Entertainment Director

717 East 17th Avenue

Columbus, OH 43211

voice: 614.644.4126

fax: 614.644.4031

WHICH CLOSURE WORKS FOR YOU?

With so many choices of closures today, it can be confusing as to which to select for your bottling needs! We receive so many questions about closures, and with all the options available, we want to help make your decision easier. In this issue you will find a brief overview on the most common types of closures available.

It is important to consider the below factors when choosing the best closure for your wine:
Image & marketing your product
Product shelf Life
Type of corker
Overall packaging budget


Synthetic Cork:

Synthetic corks are produced with FDA approved materials that were first manufactured as an alternative closure to natural corks. With the latest technology, manufacturers have developed synthetic closures with cell structures that perfectly replicate the cell structures of natural cork. Being as the new breed of synthetic cork that replicates the permeability of natural cork without the risk of "cork taint", they are a great alternative closure. Most offer chamfered ends for easier insertion and are priced similar to a technical cork.

Advantages: TCA free and very affordable alternative closure
Tip: Synthetic corks can be fairly dense & work best with semi-automatic and automatic corkers.

Vinova® is a high quality synthetic cork that is extruded with closed ends, and is the only synthetic cork on the market produced with sealed ends. In addition, they have been tested for several years with successful results. Vinova® offers free printing with a purchase of 20,000 or more.

WHAT IS TCA? TCA stands for
2,4,6-trichloroanisole, a chemical so powerful that even in infinitesimal
amounts it can cause musty aromas and flavors in wines. The compound forms
through the interaction of plant phenols, chlorine and mold. It most frequently
occurs in natural corks (TCA can even form on tree bark) and is transferred to
the wine in bottle--which is why wines with these off-aromas are often called
"corky or musty” But the taint can originate elsewhere in wineries, where
damp surfaces and chlorine-based cleaning products are commonplace; barrels,
wooden pallets, wood beams and cardboard cases are all sources of phenols. If
TCA goes undiscovered, it can spread and eventually taint the wine.
________________________________________________


Full Natural Cork:

Natural cork is cut from the bark of the cork oak tree. Natural corks are 100% natural cork, with no agglomerated components. They are available in a variety of grades and price points, plus they are available in different sizes. For higher quality wines that might be cellared for several years, one should consider higher quality grades and possibly longer natural corks. Advantages: All natural product, Longest Shelf Life, Offers the best Marketing Image, Works well with any type of corker depending on which corker you use would dictate if you need the #8 corks or #9 corks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Cork

Also known as 1+1, or twin disks corks. These corks are a combination of sterilized cork particles and food-grade resins to form a dense, elastic stopper. On both ends of the stopper are disks of natural cork. This offers a quality look of a natural cork. Twin Disc corks are offered in 3 different grades. Recommended up to 5 years
for wine storage.

Advantages: Great alternative to a full natural cork and are less expensive. To Consumer it has appearance of a full natural cork

----------------------------------------------------

Micro-agglomerated Cork:

Years of research has led to the development of the micro-agglomerated cork. Starting with very fine cork particles, a steam process is used to eliminate any halophenols and haloanisoles (TCA.). By bounding together these cork particles with a food-grade resin, the results are a low cost wine stopper. Recommended for storage of wine up to three years.

Advantages: Least expensive cork, Chamfered ends for easy reinsertion in the bottle.