Opening Remarks
- Members were thanked for the active discussion happening on Facebook and email.
- Email is the preferred channel for club discussion and announcements. Not all members are on Facebook, and its feed does not reliably surface posts, so announcements there can be missed.
Upcoming Local Events
- Tighthead Brewing Hoptoberfest – Saturday, September 26.
- Buffalo Creek Brewing Oktoberfest – October 2–4.
- Legions of Craft Beer – Saturday, October 3, noon–4:00 PM, Gurnee American Legion.
Legions of Craft Beer
Alan, representing the event, provided additional details:
- When/where: Saturday, October 3, noon–4:00 PM, Gurnee American Legion.
- Homebrewers wanted: Seven or eight homebrewers were confirmed at the time of the meeting, with a goal of ten. One or two NUBS members have committed. The Kenosha club is expected to send about six. Alan encouraged members to enter even if they are unsure about their beer.
- Brewer perks: Every homebrewer who enters receives a $100 gift card to Perfect Brewing Supply, recognition in event brochures and on the website, and a shot at awards for the top three homebrew entries.
- Pourer deadline: The organizers asked for one week’s notice from brewers wishing to pour.
- Volunteers: Help is needed for setup, teardown, and pouring. Sign up via the QR code / SignUpGenius link on the event flyer.
- Promotion: Alan brought signs and posters for members to display at businesses or subdivision entrances.
Fenton Brewing Opening
Ben announced opening dates for Fenton Brewing:
- Grand opening: Saturday, October 10.
- Soft openings begin the week of September 21. A soft opening for NUBS members is set for Friday, September 25, any time after 4:00 PM.
- Soft openings serve as a pressure test for the new staff. Members were encouraged to come out and support the brewery.
Club Trips
Door County – November 13–15, 2026
Ed proposed a club weekend in Sturgeon Bay, Door County:
- Lodging: Attendees book their own hotels in the area
- Friday: Dinner at Ed’s house.
- Saturday: Brewery tour of Door County, possibly by rented bus or van depending on headcount. Ed plans to arrange brewery tours, and a fish boil Saturday evening was suggested
- Sunday: Breakfast at Ed’s house, then departure.
- Next steps: Ed will send an email with full details. Firm commitments are requested by the October meeting so transportation can be sized and planned.
Monterrey, Mexico – October 2027
- Aurelio (absent, stuck at work) asked that the club be given a preview of a proposed trip to Monterrey, Mexico, in October 2027, timed with his brother’s brewery’s Oktoberfest.
- Aurelio will share details at a future meeting.
Beer of the Quarter – Historical Styles
- Theme: BJCP Historical Beer styles — Kellerbier, Kentucky Common, Lichtenhainer, London Brown Ale, Piwo Grodziskie, Pre-Prohibition Lager, Pre-Prohibition Porter, Roggenbier, and Sahti. Other historical styles were permitted if the brewer supplied style guidelines.
- Winner: Jason Pickering with his pre-prohibition Porter
