Neither rain, nor lightning, nor thunder will keep NCHF attendees from their appointed brews!
This was 2013’s theme and graphic for NCHF 16.
What the MKM booth was serving
One year ago, the Northern California Homebrewers Festival (NCHF) was held during a hot spell. (You can read about that here) Temperatures were in the 90s. So, our club, the Malt Konocti Mashers planned for heat. None of MKM’s beers was bigger than 7.5% ABV.
What we got was this: “Showers likely (for Saturday, September 21, 2013), with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South southeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.”
Almost on cue, the heavens opened up around two in the afternoon with lightning crackling very close to our location at the Lake Francis RV Resort in Dobbins, California.
Heck, we like water (lightning, not so much). Beer is mostly water, so we just kept on tasting great beers and eating great food.
Malt Konocti Mashers booth before the heavens unleashed
Malt Konocti Mashers of Lake County banner
Another view of the MKM booth as the serving day begins
View on the way to the NCHF registration booth.
The registration line to pick up the wristband and tasting glass.
View of the booths on the grassy area at Lake Frances RV Resort in Dobbins, CA
DOZE’s Spacelab with TARDIS booth on right.
Worts of Wisdom booth in background
In case you missed it, Placerville Un.. Brewing Society is, wait for it, PUBS.
Next year the NCHF 17 theme will be “Go West Young Brewer.” If you are interested in going in 2014, check out the NCHF website and get on their mailing list. Though this year’s festival organizers allowed 100 more people to attend, the event sold out in less than 2 hours.
Yes, kilts were there.
Flying Saucer courtesy of the Chico Home Brew Club, which brought enough homebrew for all 600+ in attendance at NCHF. Notice drops of rain on the surface of the saucer. Such details qualify as foreshadowing.
And, then, the heavens opened up.
I wondered if one of the brew kettles might be used as a flotation device.
It continued to rain cats, dogs, and frogs for the next several hours. The TARDIS continued to tempt, promising of dryness.
Batch-22 