MBAA District Rocky Mountain Press Release
Summer 2010

The summer meeting for District Rocky Mountain was held on August 18, 2010. We were graciously welcomed by the Tommyknocker Brewery and Pub, Idaho Springs, CO. Our hosts were Larry Nemnich, Steve Indrehus and Jim Schwab. The festivities for the evening began at about 5:30 pm with the social hour and tours of the brewery. Unfortunately, half the attendees were stuck on the side of the road at Interstate 70 and the Evergreen exit! It was, as they say, "a long day!"

As bad luck would have it, the Fort Collins contingent to the meeting (enjoying a comfortable chartered bus ride) had a mechanical breakdown just 20 minutes short of our destination. Fortunately, we had the right tools and the right talent riding shotgun for the driver (Photo 1). The Fort Collins team quickly discovered the cause of the problem (a broken coolant hose), then strategized the repairs, "Where's the duct tape?" Initially we tried to flag drivers down on I 70 with a promise of trading BEER for duct tape (Photo 2) - quite a bargain for takers! After a thorough examination of the storage compartments of the vehicle, we found ratchets and spare hoses. Then finally, through a truly amazing show of team work, we managed to 'empty' enough beer bottles (Photo 3), re-fill with melted beer cooler water (Photo 4) and top off the radiator reservoir enough to limp to our destination - 2 hours late. Just in time too! We were running low on full bottles of beer. Luckily Tommyknocker was well prepared with a scrumptious meal and cold beer!

Our technical speakers for the evening were the owners and operators of Tommyknocker Brewery. Jim Schwab and Steve Indrehus tagged teamed for the presentation to the group. The talk was titled Small Town Brewing on Big Time Interstate. We were treated to an in depth discussion of the Tommyknocker's history, brewery specifications and growth challenges. Tommyknocker Brewery and Pub opened its doors in December 1994 in historic downtown Idaho Springs in a building built in 1892. The brewhouse is a 20 bbl system; there are (12) 40-bbl fermenters and (2) 60 bbl fermenters. A total of 9 people run the brewery/bottling and trucking department. They are presently undergoing a major expansion to the restaurant and the brewery. The Tommyknocker Team should run their millionth case through the filter by the first quarter of 2011. The entire detailed Powerpoint presentation is available for viewing on the restricted access MBAA-RMD web page http://www.ebcii.com/mbaapassword/mbaarmd.html.

President Jeff Biegert conducted a short and sweet business meeting due to the late arriving bus 'mechanics'. Our membership continues to grow, we are over 200 members. Steve Presley reminded members that scholarships are available and that members need to take advantage of the program. Jim Canary gave a quick Treasurer's report. He mentioned that the district has approximately $15,000.00 between the checking and savings accounts.

Final note of business: The next function sponsored by District Rocky Mountain is the Annual Out of Towner to be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 24, 25 and 25. The OOT will be held in Grand Lake. Check out the website for details and for the rest of the calendar for 2010.

James (Jim) Canary
Publicity Chairman & Treasurer
Master Brewers Association of the Americas, District Rocky Mountain
August 25, 2010

Accompanying photos:

Photo 1: District Vice President Gary Dick trouble-shoots the problem; it's a broken coolant hose. Where's the duct tape when you need it!

Photo 2: District Secretary Jon Kemp to the rescue! Alerting drivers on the Interstate: 'Will Trade Beer for Duct Tape'. Now that's a bargain!

Photo 3: Brewers wait patiently for repairs at the 'I 70 Beer Tasting and Rest Area'.

Photo 4: Filling empty beer bottles with water for the radiator.

Photo 5: Finn Knudsen toasts our hosts at Tommyknocker, Steve Indrehus (Head Brewer) and Jim Schwab (Sales and Marketing Manager). Many thanks to Tommyknocker for delaying the meeting for the missing bus riders!