If you couldn’t tell by the name, the Concord Area Homebrewers are big into making beer.
They don’t do it to sell or make money off of – it’s purely about the art of making a fermented concoction of hops, barley, yeast and water. And they’ll do it in driveways, kitchens or backyards.
This Saturday, a group from the local homebrewers club will be outside Lithermans Limited (in the parking lot at 126 Hall St. Unit B/C) creating a pair of beers as part of National Homebrew Day.
“It’s just a way to expose people to the hobby,” said Ed Ramshaw, president of the club.
All the way back in 1988, May 7 was chosen as National Homebrew Day before Congress. The American Homebrewers Association created Big Brew as an annual event to celebrate National Homebrew Day around the world.
Now you may be wondering why it’s being held on Saturday when Monday is technically the big day. Well, not as many people would take part on a weekday, so it was decided that the AHA Big Brew would be held each year on the first Saturday in May.
Beginning at noon, the homebrewers club will be front and center outside Lithermans practicing their beer making magic – and any and all are welcome to join.
“It’s meant to get the most people together to homebrew,” Ramshaw said.
They’ll be making a pair of beer in terms of both style and versions of the brewing process.
There will be an extract batch, which is more for the beginning homebrewer, along with all-grain batch that a more experienced beer maker would do.
“Homebrewing tends to invite people who like to try things,” Ramshaw said. “So we want to do both so we can appeal to all.”
Now if you know even a little about making beer, you’ll understand that those beers won’t be ready to drink for a little while because of that thing known as the fermentation process. Plus, you’re not really allowed to drink in parking lots.
But you can grab a pint or flight from Lithermans, head out to their patio area – as it will hopefully be a nice day for making beer outside – and watch the process from there. Try out their One Hit Wonder Single Hop IPA, the first in their new rotating single hop series. And if it’s not available, try something else, because we have yet to find a beer they make that we don’t like. The two owners of Lithermans, Michael Hauptly-Pierce and Steve Bradbury, were once members of the club – before they became pros.
Club member Jesse Mertz, who owns Kettle to Keg in Suncook, will have some equipment on hand to show off, as well as some information and swag.
And don’t forget to ask lots of questions.
