By eleven-thirty, there were only 9
members and three guests who had managed to get to the Goth. A long-forecast
snow storm had dumped considerable amounts of snow throughout the Central
Belt, causing massive disruption to early morning traffic. The judges for
our brewing competition who had not already called off, rang through their
apologies.
The Regional Entry for the Derby
Pale Ale Competition was judged, not with the nominated judges as planned,
due to the weather, but with two volunteers, Davie Martin and David
Cruikshank They joined Craig Allan, the brewer at the Goth, and as the AGM
went on, the judging started. After the first round of tasting, the remarks
from David Edge were to the effect, as we tasted the “rejects”, “ If these
dropped out at the first round, what’s the winner going to be like.” And we
were all in agreement.
Anyway, the winner is John
McGarva, runners up are Tom Slack and Stuart McCluckie. Avery creditable
fourth, and in the opinion of many, worthy of a higher placing, was Bill
Cooper.
Our congratulations to them all.
[John McGarva's brew went on to win the Inter-Regional Challenge in Derby].
After lunch, David Edge spoke of his
remembrances of how the Craft Brewers Association began 10 years ago. He
paid tribute to the hard work and doggedness of Dougall McCrorie’s work to
bring brewing clubs and individuals together. Foe instance, it was his
persistence that helped Clive Donald found Brupaks. He then reminded us that
the Scottish Craft Brewers, although founded a little after the CBA, were
first to hold trials of yeast, malt and the like, and also to host
competitions leading to brewers having their recipe brewed and distributed
around the pubs of Scotland. He also reminded us that the Brewers Contact
magazine has started an index of articles in back issues. More information
on their
web site.
Janette Edge took the opportunity to
follow up her article on cleanliness in a recent Brewer’s Contact by telling
us that she had forgotten to mention her recommendation of Antiformin F as a
general cleaner-sluice and rinse!
