V O L U M E 3 0 I S S U E 1
P A G E 3
Hope you all had your favorite Beer to ring in the New Year! Teri and I had a 12-pack winter sampler of Saranac and some Summit Winter Ale for quaffing, while counting down the last few hours. Yes, I saw midnight but I went down soon after. New Years Eve just ain’ t that big of a deal for me anymore, must be getting older. Or, maybe wiser? Anyway, this year looks to be a good one for the Border Batch again. The club turns 29 years old in April, and with a full head of steam, we are heading to 30. So, why not hop on the BB train and join us for some Beers and laughs this year. And yes, believe it or not, we even do some trading of Breweriana.
If you missed the Batch Christmas party, all I can say, is you missed a good time. This event just keeps getting bigger and better. This whole thing started 5 years ago at Vance’ s house, with a full Fountain Brew cone of mine and 5 or 6 people. Now look at what it has evolved into; Micro Exchange, Toasting Trophy, Potluck, lots of BS and the B & L bar literally rolls out the Red Carpet for us and the Antique Beer Tasting. Plus, we have celebrities that show up every year. Last year it was Ted Marti who joined us for the Antique Beer Tasting, this year it was Sue and Steve Miner. Who knows who may show up next year?? It could even be YOU!!!
Speaking of the Toasting trophy, yours truly won it this year. I’ d like to repeat the“ toast” here but it is a little“ blue” so I’ ll refrain. Ben and I tied, and Stubie cast the deciding vote. I did give Stubie a 6’ er of my Homebrew but that had nothing to do with me winning. Ya right. I’ m not sure if mine was really a“ toast”, it was more a quote than anything but; the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Don’ t miss out on this fun event and bring your best“ Toasts” for next time.
How many of you have heard about the Schell’ s Hobo Band? I think most people raised their hand, including myself. But, I did not know much about the history of the Hobo’ s as they were somewhat before my time. Well, I learned a little something about them and would like to share it. I read an article about a man named Les Magers who recently passed away. He was the one who started the Schell’ s Hobo Band 60 years ago, sometime around 1948.
I understand he got some Army buddies together to play at a local VFW. When they asked what to wear, he said,“ Whatever you wouldn’ t wear otherwise”. And thus started the Hobo look. My favorite story is when they had their first parade appearance in Glencoe, MN. They ended up walking because the vehicle that was supposed to carry them broke down.
Well, in the end the 8-member group won an award against some other 100-member bands. In 1995 the Hobo band was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of fame and they also produced 3 albums and a CD. Anyone out there have one to sell?? If you ever get to the Schell museum check them out, they have a place of honor there.
Land of Amber Waters. Have you heard of that? It is a book by Doug Hoverson and is well worth buying. It is a history of brewing in Minnesota. It took ten years of research and starts with the first brewery in 1849 and goes right up to Flat Earth Brewing and Surly. It covers about 290 breweries and brewpubs known to have operated in Minnesota. I bought the book a couple of months ago at Barley Johns Brewpub.( It’ s now on loan to our new Sec./ Treas.) Doug was there and signed it for us. If you ever meet him, don’ t be afraid to talk to him. He is more than happy to listen and talk Beer.
I’ d like to end this with something from another newsletter. I was reading the Hamm’ s Club Bruins Gazette and with permission from Kirk Schnitker, I quote.
“ We at the Hamm’ s club work cooperatively with many other clubs and their chapters, as we believe we do not compete with one another, we compliment one another. Most breweriana clubs including the BCCA have been very cooperative. We figure we are a specialty club so we have much to offer them. We donate to their raffles and events and advertise in their magazines. Sometimes we run into a bonehead from these clubs but they are the exception. If you are a member of these clubs, tell them that cooperation between clubs makes sense. It helps to spread the word that there are different clubs, networks and shows to entertain, inform and assist.”
This just struck me right in the gonads and it felt damn good. If this don’ t make sense to you, I don’ t know what the hell would. I believe this is what the Border Batch is about and really what all clubs should aspire to. I could not have written it any better. We at the Border Batch are not trying to compete with any other clubs. Well, that’ s all for now, except for my quote of the issue. Which I can hardly top the previous quote but I will try.“ I don’ t trust anyone who can go a week without drinking” Joe Lewis. Till next time,
Jay