| Contents for February 8, 2012 | President's Message
Brewery Excellence Recognition Award
World Brewing Congress
MBAA Courses
From the Technical Director
From the Heritage Chair
District Updates
Membership
In Memoriam
| | President's Message | |
 In this month's message, I would like to communicate a number of exciting updates on MBAA membership, World Brewing Congress (WBC), and MBAA Training courses.
MBAA membership increased for the second consecutive year up 8.2% over 2010. This also marks the highest membership total since 2004. This growth is particularly noteworthy given the recent trend seen in other technical organizations experiencing decreasing to flat membership. Sixteen out of twenty-three districts (excluding Independent) reported net increases in total membership with eight of the districts reporting double-digit increases. Check with your district officers for more details on your particular district.
The World Brewing Congress (WBC) 2012 theme is “Imagine Our Brewing Future” and is a must for all MBAA members to attend this summer in Portland, OR from July 28–August 1. This gathering of international brewing industry experts will contribute to a rich and informative technical program. The Call for Papers has closed and over 200 abstracts were submitted for the Technical Committee to review and finalize for the technical program. The exhibition is also filling up with over 60 exhibitors registered at this time. Due to a number of other events taking place in Portland around the same time as WBC, we encourage our members to book your reservations as early as possible! Registration for WBC will open in April.
MBAA Training courses are underway, having recently completed a Understanding Beer Flavor seminar for the Beer Steward program in Portland last month with several planned for February and March. MBAA is teaching two 2-week courses in Colombia, and South America, on brewing and packaging in Spanish. Next month MBAA has scheduled two IBD Exam Review Courses for Module 1 and 2. The MBAA Brewery Packaging Technology Course will take place at the University of Wisconsin April 29–May 10 and is filling up fast!
As you can see, MBAA is very active in providing members with a number of opportunities for increasing knowledge and understanding of beer, brewing technology, and packaging through these offerings. These opportunities are directly linked to the MBAA Mission Statement as follows:
MBAA Mission: provide technical and practical knowledge that assists the brewing industry to continuously improve product, procedures, and processes from raw materials through consumption by:
- Providing professional development, education and support
- Identifying and communicating technical information and innovation
- Providing awareness of emerging issues
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| | Back to top | Brewery Excellence Recognition Award
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| Volunteer Opportunity to Implement New MBAA International Brewery Excellence Recognition Awards |
 The MBAA’s original purpose was to promote the profession of brewing and be the source for brewers to network and improve their craft. As we carry this responsibility into this century, the MBAA Executive Committee agreed it is time we have an awards system that promulgates breweries that demonstrate excellence. Beginning in 2013, and at each annual conference after, we will award three breweries a “Brewery Excellence” award for achieving excellence in one of three categories; Sustainability, Community Service, or Technical Contributions. The winning breweries will be promoted in press releases to publications worldwide. Additionally, in order to promote sharing of best practices, we will publish applications of the award applicants. To kick this off in 2012, we will be seeking subcommittee members who have background or interest for setting criteria, rules and the selection process for these awards. We will have a meeting at the WBC 2012 to formalize the process. Please contact Mary Pellettieri if you have interest in participating in this subcommittee. |
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| | Back to top | World Brewing Congress
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| World Brewing Congress 2012 Keynote Speaker Announced |
 WBC is pleased to announce Tim Boyle, president and CEO of Portland-based Columbia Sportswear Company, as the 2012 keynote speaker. Tim will talk about his experiences in building a successful company in an ever-changing market. Tim serves on the Boards of Directors of Northwest Natural Gas Company and Craft Brew Alliance, Inc. Mark July 28–August 1 on your calendar, and register starting in April 2012 to join your global community of brewing industry colleagues in Portland, OR. |
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| Donate to the Silent Auction; Be a Part of a Student’s Future |
| The World Brewing Congress will once again hold a Silent Auction this year. The proceeds will be utilized to support our student members, the future of the brewing industry. We are seeking a variety of items to auction including (but definitely not limited to): corporate novelties, company products and/or services, special event tickets, collectibles, arts and crafts, books, and fun and/or unusual items. If you are interested in contributing, or have any questions, contact Lauren Bennett at WBC Headquarters. Donations should be received by June 29, 2012. |
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| Exhibit Spaces and Visibility Opportunities Still Available |
 WBC attendees are brewing industry decision makers from around the world. By exhibiting, you will reach customers responsible for purchasing instruments, processing equipment, raw materials, services, and more! Learn how you can meet face-to-face with your customers and prospects at WBC 2012. Great exhibit and ad spaces as well as sponsorships are still available! |
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| | Back to top | | MBAA Courses |
| IBD Exam Review Courses—One Month Away! |
| You’ve got what it takes to pass the IBD Diploma in Brewing Exams—you just need the time and resources to prepare. That’s where MBAA comes in. In just one week, you will get an overview of either Module 1 (March 5–9) or Module 2 (March 12–16) of the IBD Diploma in Brewing Exams from former chair of the IBD Board of Examiners, David Taylor. Success is within your reach. Register for both modules and SAVE! |
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| Brewery Packaging Technology Course Selling Fast |
| The Brewery Packaging Technology Course, April 29–May 10, 2012, is THE place to strengthen your technical knowledge of brewery packaging operations while making great connections in the brewing industry. This course will sell out. Register today to reserve your seat. |
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| Back to top | | From the Technical Director |
| Digging Through the TQ Archives |
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 Did you know that the MBAA Technical Quarterly was started in 1964 to chronicle papers from the yearly conventions, on-going scientific brewing research, and practical process related innovations? The TQ has been keeping up with and sharing knowledge among brewers for almost fifty years. A few years ago the MBAA Board of Governors approved funding to digitalize a TQ archive so that any member can look through any paper going back to the first edition. Members can login (membership number and password) then search the archive engine for a paper in a given topic or can look back at each issue. You can also download the abstract or paper for free.
Many of the papers given long ago are still helpful today. Each quarter I peruse the back issues looking for papers that seem timely and interesting to today’s brewing community and have run across some real gems which we re-print in the next issue. Of course we also continue to publish current papers and add to the archive, if you have interest in publishing a paper, perhaps on a novel innovation or solution to a problem you ran across in your brewery, please contact me and maybe we can add your name to the Technical Quarterly archive!
Karl Ockert
MBAA Technical Director
kockert@mbaa.com
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| | Back to top | | From the Heritage Chair |
| Help Share MBAA Memories, Become a District Heritage Chair |
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 My wife is a passionate genealogist. She would tell you that one of the most compelling arguments for studying genealogy is the sheer celebration and sense of pride that comes with discovering one’s identity through their family heritage. Dedicated to that very purpose, she has spent countless hours researching both of our individual family histories. Her efforts (and mine) recently included a month-long trip to Germany. We crisscrossed that country researching tiny church graveyards, locating family home addresses and long-gone family business sites, visiting a local museum and searching their archives, all in the spirit of knowing and understanding our heritage. “Without that sense of individual memory", she says, "I think that some folks suffer a disconnect in the form of a lost family identity.”
Her choice of words, “individual memory” stuck with me. I reasoned that each and every one of our MBAA Districts is, in a very real sense, an individual memory. Geographically, they spread from coast to coast, and even beyond our own borders. Chronologically, some districts are quite old, dating back to the original MBAA Chicago meeting in March 1887. Others are much younger. But they all offer the rich heritage of their individual memories. Taken one step further, those individual memories build upon one another, evolving into MBAA's “collective memories.” And isn't historical knowledge really nothing more than a series of individual contributions leading toward a “collective memory?” It is in that spirit that I ask each local district to consider the establishment of a District Heritage Chair. I can think of no better way to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of MBAA.
A District Heritage Chair would not have to be a complicated or consuming position. It might be chaired by someone who is somewhat historically minded. Perhaps they like to read history. Or perhaps they enjoy genealogical research themselves, already pursuing their own family roots and individual memories. When attending their District events, perhaps they are just a bit more aware of the importance of meeting minutes and photo archives. But a District Heritage Chair, established at each and every one of our local Districts would be the first step in formalizing a process to capture individual memories, turning them into MBAA's collective memories. It would be the first step in ensuring that we continue to build upon our rich heritage for another 125 years!
I would appreciate any thoughts you might on this at: rick.seemueller@gmail.com.
Thanks, and more to come....
Rick Seemueller
MBAA Heritage Chair
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| Back to top
| | District Updates |
| District St. Louis Changes the Guard to Start Off 2012 |
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District St. Louis kicked off the winter dinner meeting season on Thursday, January 19 with our sponsor, Anheuser-Busch, hosting the meeting. The first order of business was to install the 2012-13 District officers: President, Wayne Brinkman (Emerson Process Management), Vice President, Rob Naylor (Anheuser-Busch), Past President, Marc Gottfried (Wm. K. Busch Brewing Co.), Treasurer, Tom Zimmerman (Anheuser-Busch, retired), and Secretary, Debbie Muller (Anheuser-Busch). A special District Award of Merit was presented to Social Chair, Brad Miller (French Gerleman), for his tireless work selecting, arranging, and seamlessly coordinating all brewing venues for our technical meetings for several years and even chauffeuring some of our more senior members who might not otherwise be able to attend. Marc Gottfried was honored for his many accomplishments during his presidency as well in front of the large crowd in attendance. Our technical speaker was Peter Kraemer, vice president of supply at Anheuser-Busch InBev who gave a compelling presentation on the importance of quality and focus on the beer during the brewing process. District St. Louis would like to thank Anheuser-Busch for their hospitality and facilities in sponsoring our meeting.
February’s meeting will be at the Kirkwood Station Brewery (formerly Highlands Brewing) on Thursday, February 16. Join us there!
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Submitted by:
Steve Huffman
District St. Louis Publicity Chair
(Pictures from top to bottom: (1) Brad Miller receives the DSTL Award of Merit from Marc Gottfried, (2) Marc Gottfried receives remembrance for service as President of DSTL, (3) new President, Wayne Brinkman, receives gavel from Marc Gottfried.)
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| District New York Elects New Officers |
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MBAA District NY Elected new officers during their meeting at Brooklyn Brewery on  December 9. Scott Vacarro (Captain Lawrence Brewing) was elected District president, with Nicholas Walter (Chelsea Brewing Company) elected District vice president, and Andrew Fratianni (BASF Corp.) is the new Technical Committee chair. MBAA members from District Philadelphia also attended the meeting. After elections and refreshments, the group toured the new, expanded facilities of The Brooklyn Brewery.
 The next meeting for District New York is planned for March 2012. Information will be posted as soon as it is available.
Submitted by:
Andrew Fratianni
District New York Technical Committee Chair
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| District New England |
| Recently, District New England held their Annual Winter Meeting on January 20–21. At Martha’s Exchange Brewing Company and Anheuser Busch, the members of District New England welcomed Mitch Steele (Stone Brewing Co.) to speak about the art of collaboration beers and brewing. |
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| District St. Paul-Minneapolis |
| The District St. Paul-Minneapolis meeting will take place at Rahr Malting Company in Shakopee, MN February 9. |
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| District Western New York |
| Announced a District Western New York meeting at Rohrbach Brewing Co. in Rochester, NY on February 9. For more information, contact Mitch LaGoy. |
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| District Ontario |
| District Ontario recently held their 39th Annual Ontario Technical Conference on January 27 at the Westin Bristol Place Hotel. Speakers included: Jerry Vietz (Unibroue), Jonathan Lowes (Molson-Coors), Michael Hancock, Walter Pavlakovich (Imerys World Minerals Inc.), Joe Dirksen (Ecolab), and Iraj Mehrnia (Durham College). You can read the minutes from the Technical Conference on the District Ontario webpage. |
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| District Mid-Atlantic |
| District Mid-Atlantic has announced its spring meeting, March 30–31 in Harrisonburg, VA. The program schedule is available online, and early bird registration ends February 15, so get registered today! |
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| District Rocky Mountain |
| The District has announced their next District Rocky Mountain meeting and their Scholarship program for 2012. The District meeting will be February 8 at the Sandlot Brewery in Denver, CO. The Technical Presentation, Brewing at a Baseball Stadium Brewery, will be given by John Legnard (Sandlot). The 2012 Scholarship Applications are available on District Rocky Mountain’s webpage. |
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| District Southern California |
| District Southern California will hold its meeting on Thursday, February 23 at Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in Van Nuys, CA. Please note the date change to February 23. |
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| District Western Canada |
| The Manitoba Group, of District Western Canada recently held their Technical Meeting at the Winnipeg Winter Club on January 18. They will have their Annual General Meeting on February 8, sponsored by CWB. |
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| District Michigan |
| The Michigan Brewers Guild recently teamed up with MBAA-District Michigan for the Winter Conference January11-13 in Bellaire, MI. The conference included presentations on “Michigan Brewers Guild 1997-2012,” and “Labor Issue Facing Small and Growing Businesses.” More information on the conference can be found on the Michigan Brewers Guild website. |
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| District Mid-South |
| District Mid-South will hold their Regional Meeting on March 24 at Blackstone Brewery, Production Facility in Nashville, TN. Fred Scheer will give a presentation on small brewery expansion and equipment. John Isenhour will also present an update on this year’s hop crop. |
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| | Back to top | | Membership |
| Our placement services have been buzzing! |
| Looking to start a new job in a new year? We have had a significant number of new jobs posted in the last month. Breweries are hiring! Get your application in today. If you are interested in sending us your open position, please follow the placement submission guidelines on the MBAA website. |
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| Save On the Titles You Love |
Now through February 14, you are invited to save on 2011’s top 10 best sellers from the MBAA Bookstore. Save on your choice of titles, including the new Yeast Flocculation, Vitality, and Viability, Master Brewers’ Toolbox, A Handbook of Basic Brewing Calculations, and the perennial favorites –  Volumes 1-3 of the Practical Handbook for the Specialty Brewer Series. Don’t miss out on this chance save on the titles you will love—this sale ends next Tuesday, February 14! |
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| | Back to top | | In Memoriam | |
District Ontario Member, Tony Wedgbury
Antony (Tony) Wedgbury passed away on Christmas Day 2011. Tony and his wife, Cynthia, have three sons, Tim, Paul, and Jeremy, along with eight (8) grandchildren. Born in 1934 in Alvechurch, England, Tony spent his early years in weary war-time England, where he developed a love of the game of tennis. He won many Junior Tournaments culminating in the 1949 under 15 Junior Wimbledon Championship. In 1957 Tony and his family immigrated to Canada and in the early 1960’s he joined the Closure Division of Crown,Cork & Seal Canada as a salesman. At the time of his retirement in 1999 Tony was National Sales Manager of CCS and was a long-time member of the MBAA District Ontario (since 1981).
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