Posted by STRANGE BREWER on May 24, 2002 at 16:59:38:
In Reply to: What is RatFest?? posted by Will Holway on May 24, 2002 at 10:22:16:
Hi Will!
Allow me to introduce myself, I am Rick Olivo, AKA "The Strange Brewer". I am the
head Librarian, Chief Yeast Wrangler (I maintain the club yeast ranch...) for the Brew
Rats, the world's first, and still the best internet homebrew club. We are online 24 hours
a day at: http://www.skotrat.com/brc1.cfm#Rat_Anchor and we cordially invite any and
all homebrewers (or folks who like to hang out and drink homebrewed beer) to join us
for chat as the mood strikes them. A bit of history: The Brew Rat Chat came into
existance in 1995, created by computer whiz and SERIOUS homebrewer Skot
"Skotrat" Abene and a few other homebrew frees-spirits, yours truly included... Over
the years or membership has grown to over 200 registered members. Last year for the
very first time we competed as a club in the National Homberew Competition, coming in
second place in the race for Homebrew Club of the Year. This year, we are also
competing, and are in third place after the first year. A few years back, I thought it
would be a great idea if we all got together, a kind of Woodstock of the Brew Rat
Nation, as it were. We had about eight folks meet in my back yard. the next year we met
at Skot's place in Chicago, where there were about 50 people who shpowed up. The
following year was at Deadwood South Dakota where 80 some came. Last year we had
the event at Skot's new home in New Hampshire where we drank copious amounts of
beer, toured the Redhook and Smutty breweries, dined on venison, whole roast pig,
fresh tona and cod, even haggis... All provided by members. This year we will tour the
South Shore Brewery in Ashland, The Twin Ports Brewery in Duluth, the Lake
Superior Brewery in Superior eat more good food and also (surprise, surprise)
caonsume copious amounts of homebrewed beer.
Over the year, the Brew Rats have formed deep friendships; we look forward to our
"Ratfestations" to renew the bonds of fellowship we have begun on the chat and to have
a great time. That's it in a nutshell... I will now answer your questions individually...
I received an email about this event (I am one of the owners of a homebrew shop in MN
called WindRiver Brewing). We
WILL be donating some prizes to the event, it seems like a good cause.
Will, we thank you very much for your generosity! We would be delighted to have you
visit us. I think you would have a great time.
I was considering attending, but am curious about lodgings. I was also going to tell our
local homebrew club about it
(Minnesota Homebrewers) www.mnbrewers.com.
We are staying at Tri Lake Timbers resort and campground near Iron River, WI. It's a
great place, on the shores of three lakes... Beaches, boating and fishing... A tavern on
the premises. RV hookups and camping. All of the cabins are already spoken for, but I
feel pretty certain futon or couch space can be made available. Let me know if you or
members of the Minn. Homebrewers are interested in attending. I can provide
campground and RV space information. You or they can contact me directly at
strangebrewer@centurytel.net as I am the RatFest organizer for this year.
But what is this event all about?? Is it more educational or more a drink and pass out
event??
Well, it's ALWAYS educational... But really, it's an opportunity to get together, talk
homebrewing, drink homebrew, have fun with our families, drink homebrew, have a
raffle for the club, drink homebrew, well, you get the idea. Actually, this group is pretty
tame; in the three years we have been doing this, no one has been arrested or divorced,
but we do have a pretty good time. The ladies often organize shopping excursions, and
there is plenty of sightseeing to be done. This year we are planning on a luncheon at the
Deepwater Grille, during the tour of the South Shore Brewery. The dates are August
15-18, with early arrivals or late departures welcomed to camp out at my place in
Ashland, about 30 miles away.
And can we get past our own individual prefernces as per football teams etc and join
under the glorious cause of homebrewing??
Ahh, don't sweat it. You will be welcomed with open arms by the Minnesota Faction of
the Brew Rats... As for Football teams.... I dunno... August is gfetting awful close to
the begfinning of the season... (GO PACK!!!) But you are right. The glorious cause of
homebrewing takes precidence. Come. You will have a great time. Trust me. This is the
Strange Brewer talking... Trust me anyway...
While WI has more breweries than MN, our little Minneapolis area is producing some
very excellent beers in our brewpubs ...
I heard that. been to a few! And we will be hitting Fitger's in Duluth, so you won't feel
too far from home...
Cheers!
WH
WindRiver Brewing
Many Hoppy Returns,
The Strange Brewer
Yeast God to the Brewrats,
Vitae Sine Cervesiae Sugat!!!
(Life without beer sucks!!!)