Please note: you must be at least 21 years old to attend AABG meetings.

The July Beer-BQ will be hosted by Roger Burns and Tony Arruda, starting at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 15, 2017. The Beer-BQ is our annual family-oriented picnic. In contrast to most AABG meetings, this is a members-only event.

Things to bring:

  • Your best beer or mead!
    • Kegs: See dispensing section below
    • Bottles (coolers and ice – so nice!)
  • Side Dish (SignUpGenius link)
  • AABG shirt

Things you may want to bring:

  • Bug repellent
  • Sun block
  • Ice
  • Blanket, jacket, pants (the temp drops off at night)
  • Chairs (there are going to be a lot, but you never have enough)
  • Yard games (we have volleyball, badminton, frisbees, bocce, horseshoes, croquet, and several more)
  • Tent
  • Drinking Glass (plastic cups will also be available, but who likes drinking good beer out of red solo cups?)
  • Beer Cozy to keep things coooooool
  • Items for the Raffle!
  • Shorts/towel for the Slip N Slide:

Also, for the Kids we have a play structure that seems to never get enough use!

 Timeframe:

Typically, it is an all-day event (1:00pm – 12:00am), with those with other commitments (or fewer beer bullets) concentrating on the 4:00 – 8:00pm time frame.  We’ll have a fire going in the evening for s’mores, as we watch the bats get catch their dinner.

Food:

Our master of ceremonies, Mike O’Brien, Caterer Extraordinaire, provides the anchor to this event. with his infamous trailer full of goodies. Mike typically brings a large tent, 8-10 large tables, and seating for about half the crowd (bringing your own seating is good form). Additionally, he will bring his portable smoking system, and cook up beef brisket.  Additional beef brisket halves will be available for purchase (price TBD).  Indicate if you would like to purchase extra on the sign-up sheet (SignUpGenius link).

While Mike will supply the primary “protein” for this event, it is also good form (and anticipated) to bring a side dish. These can range from pasta salads to chips and dip, cheese and crackers. Swedish meatballs, to shrimp and cocktail sauce, what have you. If you have that “killer” appetizer that everyone loves at your home gatherings of friends and family, this is the event to bring them along.  Please indicate what you will bring on the sign-up sheet (SignUpGenius link).

Dessert:

Mike usually also hauls out his soft serve ice-cream machine. He will usually start with a straight vanilla mix, and once the children have been satiated, it is time for the adult mix.  Beer Ice Cream sounds weird, but is amazing!

Beer Dispensing:

The club’s three jockey boxes (3, 5, and 5 taps for a total 13 taps), will be available. Roger also has a 2-tap jockey box (13 + 3 = 15 taps), and a couple picnic taps.  If your keg uses Coke fittings, please let Mike know beforehand.  I’m looking for volunteers to collect the jockey boxes (and new cover) from Adventures in Homebrewing.   Use the sign-up sheet (SignUpGenius link) to indicate what you are bringing, pleaes.  If you have a jockey box, or some new-fangled method of beer dispensing, feel free to bring it because we can always use it.

Volunteers:

This year, we would like help on Sunday, July 9, noon-5pm to provide repair assistance with tables, chairs, etc.  Mike will be delivering the equipment early, so that we can do some cleaning and maintenance (sanding, painting, washing, etc.)  On Saturday, July 15, we will also need help to set up the tent, tables and chairs, etc. A similar small volunteer army is highly appreciated late the next morning to break it all down and pack it up.  Please let us know if you can help out. 

Sign Up Sheet:

The sign-up sheet (SignUpGenius link) will have more details, as well as items that are necessary, like ice, vanilla mix from Washtenaw Dairy, etc.  Keep your receipts for reimbursement.

ICE:

No, not the kind that deports, but the kind that keeps the beer cold.   There truly is never enough for a 12-hour event.  There’s a store very close by, so if we run out, we will play rock-paper-scissors, throw lawn darts until we hit someone, or pick the car that’s closest to the exit, to procure more.  J

A final note:

We are in a club devoted to quality home brewed beverage creation and enjoyment.  If you want to pitch a tent, or crash on a couch, it’s better than crashing a car.  We have options available, and quiet locations to pitch a tent.  Let’s help one another stay safe. 

This is a terrific event. Others, please feel free to chime in on this, as we have a lot of “newbie’s”, and I want to encourage them all to come, bring family, food, brews and games and have a great time! These are your dues dollars at work (did I mention that you should be a current and paid up member to attend  , and it is a blast!).

Best,

Arruda and Burns Families
6509 Fleming Creek Dr
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Categories: meetings

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