MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Home Brew Club will participate in the American Homebrewers Association’s (AHA) annual Big Brew event Saturday, May 6 at Culligan Quality Water of North Central Ohio, 350 S Main St.
“It’s a national event held locally,” said Mansfield Homebrew Club president Chad Vanderpool. “They try to get all the homebrew clubs to hold a get together to set a record every year.”
According to AHA’s website, a record 12,780 people are expected to brew 17,804 gallons of beer at 483 events scattered across 48 states and 12 countries at the upcoming Big Brew event.
The club chose Culligan because owner and new club member, Cameron Karger suggested the space. The club will use the reverse osmosis water available there.
“It’s neutral,” said Vanderpool about the water, “It’s a great place to start.”
The location varies year to year.
The club also plans to experiment with grain provided by the Ohio Malting Company in Wakeman, Ohio.
“It’s (homebrewed beer) a liquid canvas on which we express our art form,” Vanderpool said.
He found a passion for homebrewing after he served as the best man in a friend’s wedding. The groom gave him a homebrewing kit as a gift. Vanderpool joined the club about seven years ago.
He explained that there are 23 unique styles of beer with even more subcategories, saying that IPA is likely the most popular craft beer.
“It’s probably my favorite, too,” he said. “But it depends on the day, the weather, my mood,” he said.
Homebrewing might save some money, but for Vanderpool it’s about making better beer, not keeping a few extra dollars in his pocket.
“Companies might have to cut corners to make profits, you don’t have to,” he said.
This is a public event. People are encouraged to stop by Culligan from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to see the brewing process and learn more about the club.
Homebrewed beer takes up to 12 hours in a day — and about a month before the beer can be consumed.
“If you can make macaroni and cheese, then you can homebrew,” Vanderpool said. “It can be a simple as you want it to be… or you can go as crazy as you want.”
The club has about 20 active members. The group holds monthly meetings, summer cookouts and other events throughout the year.
The AHA holds its Big Brew event the first Saturday each May to celebrate National Homebrew Day, May 7.
