Beer Me: Join a Startup Home Brew Club

Beer and I go way back — and I'm not just talking about drinking it.

It started with a "one-and-done" experiment, the first-time home brew batch by my boyfriend and a group of his college buddies.

It was one-and-done because it tasted awful — but that didn't mean they stopped trying. A couple more kits and the group had some successfully tasty batches.

After college, Nick and I continued the homebrewing quest together. I started a beer blog for JSOnline.com while I was interning in their online department. Sadly, my wise words have since been deleted from the World Wide Web after a redesign of the site (Although, a fan of mine wrote some proof that I did exist for JS). Fortunately, that wasn't the only place I splattered my knowledge.

After my internship, I wrote off-and-on on an eBlogger account while living in Florida; then, I wrote a few blogs for Examiner.com while living in Minnesota; finally, I settled in Green Bay (for a little while) and started a blog called "Beer in my Bottle" for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. While there, I was also a featured beer blogger on the Beer Wench's website. I also joined a group called the Green Bay Rackers Home Brew Club.

Since moving to Port Washington and working for Patch, I've done a lot of writing — but not about beer. I've done a little beer-taste-testing exploring, but nothing of the homebrewed variety. And, I've sadly not joined any clubs.

So to solve all three problems with one stone (does it work that way?) I'm jump starting this blog as a way to get the word out about a Home Brew club (official name to follow) for the Port Washington and Saukville area. (I'm thinking something like ... P.S. We Love Beer?)

What are the benefits of joining a home brew club? One, if you don't know how to make your own beer, you can learn. Two, if you already brew at home, you can share your knowledge and get feedback on your recipes. Three, if you can't afford equipment, you can use the home brew supplies that the group will eventually own (I have a little bit of startup funds, so it will depend on the end cost).

Two full disclaimers:

• I am not really the mastermind behind the brewing — I like to pick out good smelling grains and make up recipes, but my boyfriend is the one who actually understands the mechanics. I hold tubes.
• This club will also be open to people interested in learning how to make wine, something I'd like to figure out myself!

Our first casual get together will start at 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at in Port Washington. Yes, it is only wine there — but it's made right here in Port, and they also sell homebrewing supplies. If you'd rather drink a beer, perhaps we'll head to Sir James Pub afterward to try something exotic (they have quite an impressive collection.)

If you're interested in learning more about the club, e-mail me at Lyssa.Beyer@patch.com. If you plan to join us on Nov. 22, an e-mail heads up would be nice — but it's OK if you just show up, too. And, just because you come doesn't mean you have to join the club ... you won't hurt anyone's feelings by just walking away.

All that being said, it's about time I dust off those beer bottles and bust out the old homebrewing equipment — and along the way I'd like to bring a few of you with me.