The Spotlight is a series of interviews with the craft beer heroes behind local organizations who are helping grow the beer scene in our fine city. This week’s spotlight is on Tricities Brew Club
If you are in the home brewing community in the Tricities, there is a good chance that you have met Greg Cossey at one point. Greg is quite the guy who leads a busy life. “I have 750 sq ft of garden space at Colony Farms Community Gardens and have sat on their board for the last 2 years. I am also involved in city committees and running several Facebook pages and groups from gardening to politics. Most of my non-employed time is spent helping my wife with her art (and other) business.”
On top of all that, Greg is head of the Tricities Brew Club. The brew club is the brainchild of Greg and friend Dan Helmer. Dan and Greg met at a “Learn to Brew” event in 2013. They had both been exploring Vancouver and Maple Ridge to find a brew club to join and wished there was a club closer to home. “I am notorious for starting Facebook groups” Greg explains, “when I invited Dan and Adam Crandall (now of Moody Ales) they told me they had already reserved a domain name so we put our heads together and brewed it all up.” Once the wheels were in motion, they reached out to Michael Druce at Beyond the Grape and he offered his store as a place to meet. On February 8th, 2014 the Tricities Brewclub held its first official meeting.
Greg is first to admit that he is new to the brewing scene. He was introduced to partial mash-extract kits late last summer, and he and his wife bought and brewed their first beer in October 2013 to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Having lived in Port Moody for 12 years, it makes sense to have this brew club meet in his home community particularly with the boom it is starting to see. Greg explains: “There has been an incredible interest in craft beer in the Tricities area. We now have two breweries open this year and it has only fueled the interest in making our own brews. I am finding neighbours and others who have been brewing quietly or want to start all the time.”
As it currently exists, the Tricities Brew Club is sitting at about 91 casual members. They have a core group of about 15 that attend every month, and the others come when they can. They meet at 7:30pm on the second Thursday of every month at Beyond the Grape (3030 St. Johns St. Port Moody.) When asked who could join, and who exactly his members are, Greg said, “Anyone can become a member. We are all about learning and inclusiveness. Whether you are an extract or an all grain brewer you are welcome. Even if you are just interested in seeing what brewing is all about we encourage you to join and come to group brews and demonstration days.” If you are interested in joining, why not pop in at a meeting, or shoot Greg a message on their Facebook group!
So, what does the future hold for the Tricities Brew Club? Greg tells us, “We want to grow and have more events, competitions, demonstration days and maybe even a convention. I would like to have speakers come in and talk to us on topics and maybe have some road trips.” But in the immediate future, there are 2 major events coming up. First, on November 1st there is Learn to Home Brew Day from 11:00am – 5:00pm at Beyond the Grape. This is a free public event for people to come and watch them brew, ask questions and pick their brains. They will most likely have some people brewing a kit or two showcasing various styles for beginners to start brewing at home. Second is their first group brewing competition which is themed on a Porter/Stout. Anyone that joins the TCBC Facebook group by the November 14th meeting is eligible to submit an entry for judging at their December 11th meeting. Judging will be by Certified BJCP Judges Warren Boyer and Tim Vandergrift as well as Dan Helmer and Adam Crandall of Moody Ales. Details can be found here.
If you aren’t in the Tricities, but looking to plug into a home brew club, shoot a message to info@camravancouver.ca and we will get you talking to the right people! But if you are of the Tricities, make sure you pay Greg and his brew club a visit!
David Perry – @davidjp87
Community Liason – CAMRA BC, Vancouver Chapter
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For more information about Tricities Brew club visit their website or get social and visit their Facebook Group, Page or Twitter.
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