Homebrew Club for Springfield, Illinois
A club for homebrewing enthusiasts in Springfield, Illinois. Currently holding monthly meetings to share brews and information.
Site Membership
The public is welcome to view our main club page. Should you wish to participate on the website, please apply for membership. You will then be approved by an admin.
Meetings are open to the public and there is no need to request permission to attend, just a desire to know and brew great beer!
Here is a pdf file of the bylaws for the Prairie Schooners Homebrewers adopted 11 June 2009: PSHBylaws20090611.pdf
Club Officers are:
President - Brian Phillips
Vice President - Mark Sheftick
Treasurer - Mike Bauer
Secretary - Shannon Shanks
Contact Information:
prairie.schooners@gmail.com
(217) 953-0229
Meetings are open to the public and there is no need to request permission to attend, just a desire to know and brew great beer!
Here is a pdf file of the bylaws for the Prairie Schooners Homebrewers adopted 11 June 2009: PSHBylaws20090611.pdf
Club Officers are:
President - Brian Phillips
Vice President - Mark Sheftick
Treasurer - Mike Bauer
Secretary - Shannon Shanks
Contact Information:
prairie.schooners@gmail.com
(217) 953-0229
Latest Activity
Kait's X-mas party for work is the same night so Im not sure If we will make it.
Prairie Schooner Holiday Party at The Inn at 835
December 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
It's still brewing, but plans are in the making for a Prairie Schooners Holiday Party early in December, either in lieu of, or addition to, our monthly meeting. It'll be a family-and-friends get together for all website members in the banquet room...
I will be at the Holiday Social and hope to see everyone there. So mark the date and invite everyone you know that may be interest in home-brewing. Shouldn't we schedule a planning meeting for this event in the near future? Any volunteers?
Prairie Schooner Holiday Party at The Inn at 835
December 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
It's still brewing, but plans are in the making for a Prairie Schooners Holiday Party early in December, either in lieu of, or addition to, our monthly meeting. It'll be a family-and-friends get together for all website members in the banquet room...
I hope to make it, but have some friends coming down from Chicago to help me brew that day. If we are done in time, we may make it over.
Prairie Schooner Holiday Party at The Inn at 835
December 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
It's still brewing, but plans are in the making for a Prairie Schooners Holiday Party early in December, either in lieu of, or addition to, our monthly meeting. It'll be a family-and-friends get together for all website members in the banquet room...
I'll be brewing an IPA the first weekend of December (weather permitting). I'm at 808 Wood Pointe Dr. in Springfield and my cell number is 217.494.6637. All are welcome to come by any time after 11AM (on whichever day provides the better weather).
Prairie Schooner Holiday Party at The Inn at 835
December 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
It's still brewing, but plans are in the making for a Prairie Schooners Holiday Party early in December, either in lieu of, or addition to, our monthly meeting. It'll be a family-and-friends get together for all website members in the banquet room...
Prairie Schooner Holiday Party at The Inn at 835
December 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
It's still brewing, but plans are in the making for a Prairie Schooners Holiday Party early in December, either in lieu of, or addition to, our monthly meeting. It'll be a family-and-friends get together for all website members in the banquet room...
Hey all,
Chris caught a brief mention in today's IT of a new brewery in Springfield. It's The Rolling Meadows Brewery and their website is http://rollingmeadowsbrewery.com/601.html
Apparently they're not open yet, but lets wish them luck! Soon w...
Thanks for the welcome, and for the offer. I would certainly accept any cast off that you may want to "rehome". I am looking forward to getting started, I hope to have my 1st batch ready for the Daytona 500 weekend in Feb.
Thanks again Lou
PM me...
Hi Lou,
Welcome to the craft. That's good advice from David and Mark. I'd only add that some equipment can be put together yourself to save a buck or two - wort chillers, fermentation chambers, and all-grain set-ups come to mind. there's lots of ...
Thanks guys, stopped by there yesterday. Told the wife that I want one of the "kits" for Xmas.
I'll second Smalley's post. Friar Tuck is the only place in Springfield to pick up supplies. They sell the basic kit with the possibility of needing to pick up the extras (kettle, capper,etc).
I heartily add picking up a good book. How To Brew by...
1. Go with what you can afford and the level of "seriousness" you have about brewing. Many of the better kits are better if you are going to progress. The smaller kits are good if your not sure you are committed to spending alot of time and money ...
Prairie Schooner Holiday Party at The Inn at 835
December 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
It's still brewing, but plans are in the making for a Prairie Schooners Holiday Party early in December, either in lieu of, or addition to, our monthly meeting. It'll be a family-and-friends get together for all website members in the banquet room...
Hi all, Just a couple of quick questions.
1. any advice on the "equipment kits"?
2. Is there anywhere local to springfield to buy supplies and even the basic kit?
Thats it for now.
Thanks
Lou
Springfield's getting a brewery!
The Rolling Meadows Brewery is getting set up just north of town, and although their doors aren't open yet, I'm sure looking forward to raising a pint or two when they are!
Their website is http://rollingmeadowsbrewery.com/601.html
Events
December 10
Thursday
-
Dec Meeting
December 10, 2009 from 7pm to 10pm – Floyd's
December 12
Saturday
-
Prairie Schooner Holiday Party
December 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm – The Inn at 835
Photos
Forum
Homebrewing - Newbies
Introductory forum for those new to brewing to ask questions and get answers
4 discussions
Latest Club Meeting Minutes
Greetings Schooners,
Several topics were discussed at the November meeting at Floyd's, and some pretty tasty brew was offered.
1. The Teach a Friend to Homebrew Day was a big success, thanks to all the planners, participants, and especially the onsite brewers, as well as all the contributors of homebrew that was sampled. If there are any suggestions for next year's event, this might be a good time to scribble them down while the memory is fresh - or just post a reply to this discussion. For example, someone mentioned that having a card, or a flier of some sort to hand out with the Prairie Schooners' info would be a good idea. All other input is welcome and encouraged.
2. Court suggested a Holiday party for the December meeting, and very generously offered to provide the banquet room at the Inn at 835 for all the members of the website, as well as our families and friends. All comers could bring a snack well as some of their favorite homebrew and/or commercial brew. Availability of the facilities at the Inn is limited, especially as the holiday season approaches, but it looks as though Saturday, December 12th is open, and Court suggested that we could start about 6:00 p.m. We'll blast this out to everyone on the website's email list shortly so everyone can have a chance to plan ahead.
3. It was also suggested to post notices of future meetings, not only as an email blast to the website list, but also like what has been done in the past with a flier on the hop fridge at Friar Tuck's. Also considered was to post a notice in the calendar section of the Illinois Times. This led to the suggestion of having one of our members handle the media stuff - a sort of "PR Person."
4. Mike Bauer started what could be a new tradition for the group by holding a raffle for a pint glass from Friar Tuck. Congratulations to Alison for being the lucky winner for this month's prize, and who knows what will be raffled off at future meetings? A packet of yeast? An ounce of hops? Maybe a B3-2100 MoreBeer 20 gallon brew sculpture with the full SMART digital temperature control package, integrated plate chiller, and the boil kettle maximizer/diverter option?
That's it from my notes - hope to see you at the Holiday party! - and Brew On!
Oh yes, forgot to mention - Mark Sheftick has set up a phone number and general email account for the club. He has posted them on the left side of our main webpage, but here they are again anyway:
Contact Information:
prairie.schooners@gmail.com
(217) 953-0229
Thanks to Mark for doing this. It will help to get the word out. I'll notify the AHA to reflect the update.
Several topics were discussed at the November meeting at Floyd's, and some pretty tasty brew was offered.
1. The Teach a Friend to Homebrew Day was a big success, thanks to all the planners, participants, and especially the onsite brewers, as well as all the contributors of homebrew that was sampled. If there are any suggestions for next year's event, this might be a good time to scribble them down while the memory is fresh - or just post a reply to this discussion. For example, someone mentioned that having a card, or a flier of some sort to hand out with the Prairie Schooners' info would be a good idea. All other input is welcome and encouraged.
2. Court suggested a Holiday party for the December meeting, and very generously offered to provide the banquet room at the Inn at 835 for all the members of the website, as well as our families and friends. All comers could bring a snack well as some of their favorite homebrew and/or commercial brew. Availability of the facilities at the Inn is limited, especially as the holiday season approaches, but it looks as though Saturday, December 12th is open, and Court suggested that we could start about 6:00 p.m. We'll blast this out to everyone on the website's email list shortly so everyone can have a chance to plan ahead.
3. It was also suggested to post notices of future meetings, not only as an email blast to the website list, but also like what has been done in the past with a flier on the hop fridge at Friar Tuck's. Also considered was to post a notice in the calendar section of the Illinois Times. This led to the suggestion of having one of our members handle the media stuff - a sort of "PR Person."
4. Mike Bauer started what could be a new tradition for the group by holding a raffle for a pint glass from Friar Tuck. Congratulations to Alison for being the lucky winner for this month's prize, and who knows what will be raffled off at future meetings? A packet of yeast? An ounce of hops? Maybe a B3-2100 MoreBeer 20 gallon brew sculpture with the full SMART digital temperature control package, integrated plate chiller, and the boil kettle maximizer/diverter option?
That's it from my notes - hope to see you at the Holiday party! - and Brew On!
Oh yes, forgot to mention - Mark Sheftick has set up a phone number and general email account for the club. He has posted them on the left side of our main webpage, but here they are again anyway:
Contact Information:
prairie.schooners@gmail.com
(217) 953-0229
Thanks to Mark for doing this. It will help to get the word out. I'll notify the AHA to reflect the update.
Assorted Useful Links (a work in progress)
The American Homebrewers Association page on the Brewers Association website: American Homebrewers Association
How To Brew by John Palmer is one of the most useful books to a homebrewer, new and old. Palmer graciously put the first edition of his book on the internet. It is free to read and print. www.howtobrew.com
Homebrew Talk forums are a good source of information. Run a quick search can often yield needed information, especially in a hurry. Homebrewtalk.com
Brew365 is a great source of information and recipes. They even list out recipes to clone some of the popular commercial brews. www.brew365.com
Brew-Monkey is another repository for information and recipes. Especially of note are their interviews with craft brewers. www.brew-monkey.com
Hopville is a budding community for homebrewers and their recipes. It's still under development, but instead of being "in beta" it's been "getting bettah" all the time. http://hopville.com/whats-brewing
Basic Brewing is run by James Spencer and is a weekly podcast on homebrewing and general beer topics. His video offerings are a little more intermittent but just as good. The nice thing about audio is that you can learn something useful even while you are doing some sort of menial activity. If you have never watched or listened to any of his productions, scan the archives for anything of interest.Audio Video
How To Brew by John Palmer is one of the most useful books to a homebrewer, new and old. Palmer graciously put the first edition of his book on the internet. It is free to read and print. www.howtobrew.com
Homebrew Talk forums are a good source of information. Run a quick search can often yield needed information, especially in a hurry. Homebrewtalk.com
Brew365 is a great source of information and recipes. They even list out recipes to clone some of the popular commercial brews. www.brew365.com
Brew-Monkey is another repository for information and recipes. Especially of note are their interviews with craft brewers. www.brew-monkey.com
Hopville is a budding community for homebrewers and their recipes. It's still under development, but instead of being "in beta" it's been "getting bettah" all the time. http://hopville.com/whats-brewing
Basic Brewing is run by James Spencer and is a weekly podcast on homebrewing and general beer topics. His video offerings are a little more intermittent but just as good. The nice thing about audio is that you can learn something useful even while you are doing some sort of menial activity. If you have never watched or listened to any of his productions, scan the archives for anything of interest.Audio Video
About
Red Cobblers
State Journal-Register article on homebrewing and the Prairie Schooners
We were visited in March by the SJ-R who were keen to find out who and what makes a beer-maker.
www.sj-r.com/features/x1950207554/Beer-lovers-say-theres-nothing-better-than-making-it-yourself
www.sj-r.com/features/x1950207554/Beer-lovers-say-theres-nothing-better-than-making-it-yourself
How we "evolve" as beer enthusiasts
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