P A G E 2
25 Beers ago—
B O R D E R B A T C H B R E W I N G S
A b la s t f r o m t h e B o r d e r B a tch P a s t b y j a y m a r t i n
Welcome to 25 Beers Ago. Just what the heck is this column about, you may ask? Well, a few years ago in one of my drunken stupers, a dim bulb came on and I thought it would be cool to look back at past newsletters and reprint some of more interesting things about this chapter. With the chapter approaching 30 years old, I suppose we may have to change the title. I will be covering the newsletters from the years of 1983 and 1984. So, kick back and take a walk down memory lane with me.
Janurary 1983: After attending Guzzle & Twirl and noticing the attendance, there are a few points to ponder. 1. We are a dying breed, not really dying, but settling down to our core or basic members. Our huge growth of a few years ago has reversed and we are slowly shedding dead wood and tired wood. 2. Times are tough, to drop bucks every month traveling to sessions just isn’ t in the cards for a lot of us. 3. Maybe we have all burned out just a little. Bob Vierkant.
March 1983: Next issue Frank Kraft will be your new President, he will be succeding me, Bob Vierkant. A nominating commitee met after the New Ulm session at Lapper Luecks and Rich Lueck will be Vice President and Kevin Savick will be Sec./ Treas. Your board menbers will be Matt Connor, Butz Palmer, and Steve Hartong. Dues are $ 3.00, same as last year. Bob Vierkant.
July 1983: I( Frank Kraft) just returned from the 1st annual“ Veekend at Veldas” in Eau Claire. Lucky for Steve Miner that I was there or he would probably be on the road with the Omaha“ Three” instead of home with Sue. I don’ t know if anybody else has noticed but, I think the interest in cans is going down. Glasses seem to be real hot right now, along with trays and just general advertising items. Steve Miner.
October 1983: Our 5th annual Daly Park session is past and now our attention turns to a new venture. A buy / sell / trade session in Sheffield, Iowa. There should be plenty of traders back from Canvention in Houston. Let’ s have a good turnout in Hawkeye land. November 11th and 12th is the 10th annual Guzzle & Twirl, Friday night party, poolside at the Ramada Inn. Frank Kraft
Janurary 1984: We are fast approaching the 5th annual BBBS. This year the entire event will be held at the Albert Lea Best Western Inn. Friday night is the hospitality room, pool side, including“ piles” of food, buckets of beer, 3rd annual toasting contest, and Joe Kowal at the piano. Saturday the buy / sell / trade session. Saturday night, banquet, dance and the now very infamous Margarita contest. Bob Vierkant
April 1984: Feburary 12th was the annual session at Schells taproom. As usual the session was well attended, especially when there is free Schells to sample. As is the trend, beer glasses seemed to be the hot item. Yours truly( Steve Miner) picked up a sham Kato glass for my Minnesota collection. Our Prez Frank Kraft, was seen stowing away a nice Grain Belt reverse on glass sign. After the show we were treated to tour Butz Palmer’ s collection. If you want any tips on how to use every concievable space in your basement, see Butz. Steve Miner.
July 1984: Bet you were all wondering who won the Margarita trophy this year? Well after 5 years I( Sue Miner) finally won. Don’ t think I’ ll be going after it next year though, I woke up feeling $%&$#@*&% on Sunday morning!! We have already sent in our reservations for Canvention to stay at Stouffers Five Seasons, if you want any sleep, stay away from our room.( Steve Miner) Traveled to Lyle, MN for a large auction. Included in the auction was many beer glasses, mostly Hamms, signs, foam scrapers, playing cards, tip trays, etc. Highlights were a mini bottle collection, I would guess there were over 200 and a large beer can collection, numbering around 1000. Frank Kraft and I( Steve Miner) cleaned up, getting everything we bid on.
October 1984: Another Canvention has come and gone. It was nice to see so many of you in Cedar Rapids. I was called on to accept an award to Schells Brewery in gratitude for its cooperation in the production of their own BCCA Celebration Beer. I know they feel very good about that. I don’ t want to see the Border Batch drift down to a handfull of collecters. I think we have one of the more popular chapters there is, so people must be doing there jobs. Richard Lueck.
Don’ t worry Lapper Lueck, the chapter is alive and doing fine and in good hands!! Jay Martin # 16605