Kustība par labu alu

Aizpute 2011 homebrew meeting

Feb 2, 2011

In May 2010 the first meet of homebrewers from the Baltic States took place. During the two day workshop participants from mostly Latvia and Lithuania shared their brews, homebrewing experiences and several brewing sessions were held.

This year the homebrewing workshop will be repeated in an improved form. Several parallel brewing sessions both indoors and outdoors in the residency centre of the interdisciplinary art group SERDE are planned, as well as the first Baltic homebrew competition.

Yard of the SERDE center. There are several large rooms inside, as well as a dedicated "brewery" and a large barn with large storage space on the right. Even if it rains, there is room for everyone.

The event will be held for two days. Main activities are planned during 7 May, when homebrew workshops will take place, as well as homebrew competition. 8 May is a rest day and will include an excursion to the local maltster. Of course, lots of tasting and sharing of different brews will take place throughout both days.

Outdoor brewing (or cooling the wort) in Aizpute

At least 15-20 Latvian homebrewers, as well as brewers from other countries will take part in the workshop, it is also thought that professional brewers from some Latvian breweries would attend as well. English will be the main language of the workshop, as it is spoken widely amongst participants.

Brewing Weizenbock in May 2010

General public will be invited to attend the workshop for several hours on 7 May (11.00 – 15.00) to promote homebrewing as there are many people out there who would like to start brewing themselves, but still have their doubts.

There is an accomodation available either in the SERDE or local hostel just around the corner (4-5 beds in a room), as well prepared meals. Accomodation (clean bed sheets are provided) for 1 night and 5 hearty Latvian meals that would cover both days will be very modest 15 LVL (22 EUR), slight changes are possible. There is a possibility to arrive on the evening of 6 May (many homebrewers will do that) and to leave later as well – each additional night is 5 LVL (7.2 EUR). Accomodation in a nearby guest house in slightly more private environment in double rooms is also possible  – 15 LVL (22 EUR) per night.

Currently the planned participation fee is 2 LVL (3 EUR), but it could be slightly adjusted according to the actual expenses.

Aizpute is a small and very interesting town located approximately 180km from Riga. It is certainly possible to arrange transportation to and from Riga in the cars of some of the Latvian participants. Alternatively, there is a bus connection (although the jorney is long and boring in this way), as well as car hire available directly in the airport.

Getting to Riga is rather easy, there are plenty of Ryanair flights and AirBaltic has direct daily flights to many destinations in Western Europe and especially Scandinavia. There is a daily ferry to Stockholm. Please keep in mind that most events start at 10.00 on 7 May and it takes at least 2 hours to get from Riga to Aizpute by car.

It is good idea to visit nearby Lithuania before or after the workshop for a couple of days with its many small breweries and rapidly growing craft beer culture.

If you would like to participate in this workshop, propose new activities or ask any questions to the orgnizers, please leave your contacts details in the comments or you can drop and email to aizpute@kupla.lv

It is also possible to enter your homebrew beer in the competition or, if you wish, to become one of the judges. Details will be provided later, but it will not be a very strict competition with rigid BJCP-style rules. It is the first time ever enough of diverse homebrew is available to organise any competition at all, so it could be more of „learning by doing” event. Of course, categories will be there.

Or maybe you would like to be in charge of brewing in one of the sessions to brew your favourite beer? We will figure out the equipment and ingredients required.