Greetings homebrewers and beer fans. Rick here with a few important club announcements about future meetings and stuff. First, let's think about hops. Sure, you all know those wonderful green plants that go into wort and produce bitter flavor, unique taste, and wonderful aroma. This is a different kind of hops- It is a restaurant and microbrewery and Saturday is our next scheduled club meeting. Although I could be wrong (been there before) the meeting starts in the early afternoon and concludes around 5 or so. Bob (we hope) will be on hand and if not, we own the brewery! Ok, got a little carried away - sorry. Anyhow, this is our traditional November meeting that we have enjoyed for the last 3 (maybe 4?) years outside on the patio at Water Tower. The good news is the weather is much colder this year so we have to stay inside. Besides, Hops doesn't have a patio ......yet. So next Saturday, go to the Eden Prairie hops, meet brewers, comrades, beer and all of that wonderful beer stuff. A few points of order will occur regarding upcoming events at the Christmas Extravaganza, Club glasses, club elections, new members, brew-a-rama, fill-er-up-o-rama, and hops. I still have a few........er..........pounds of Willamette hops taking up space in the home freezer. If anyone is interested, send a message to this url and I will bag some up and bring them along. These are wonderfully fresh hops taken from a sliced bale imported from Oregon. Good stuff. The bourbon barrel brewers are getting together for a fill-up festival November 15. Talk to Paul at the meeting for more details. You've gotta see the barrel rack. It belongs to the club. Christmas Christmas Christmas. Remember the Christmas extravaganza that always occurs at the CSPS hall on a Friday in December? Guess what? It's going to happen again. December 15 @ 6:00 is the annual Holiday Extravaganza and Pot Luck at the CSPS hall in St Paul. If you are a new member and haven't attended yet, this is the premier event of the year. You've gotta go. This event is open to all MHBA club members and family and here is how it works. You bring something to share and bring more than you can comfortably eat. You ask for donations and bring stuff to give away. Every one gets a number and we draw for door prizes during the evening. You do need to be there to win but who's going to leave early? Why? Usually, we have more than ample quantities of food, munchies, main dishes, salads, specialty shrimp, ribs, beans, bread, beef, pork, turkey, fish, and all of that wonderful stuff. Did we mention beer? The club tapper is slated to make an appearance this year so we need volunteers to bring tanks to connect. They don't need to be full but the beer best be decent. Bad beer belongs somewhere else (share with neighbors). I sort of got carried away - sorry. Let's review. Saturday, early afternoon go to Hops in Eden Prairie. General club business meeting. Mark Gleve (sp) Cider distribution. Strategy and ideas for February elections. New members welcome - Membership cards available. See you next Saturday or be square or have a beer. Did we mention that beer will be available? Closing question. How many MHBA events have you attended that ran out of beer? Answer - come to the meeting to find out. Rick Oftel MHBA Brewer and President