Best Homebrew Club

Best Homebrew Club ATF

BY JESSIE H. NUNERY

Dick Weiss was on to something special when he founded the HomeBrew Hause in 1999. Twenty years later, Weiss is the founder and a lifetime member of ATF Home Brew Club, which is in its 20th year, has been named Carolina Brew Scene’s 2019 Best HomeBrew Club. Located in New Bern’s hub of brewing activity, ATF (Alcohol Through Fermentation) has taken on the role of helping homebrewers learn and become educated about the craft. ATF has also partnered with Craven Community College’s beer brewing program where members can talk to students and give them another avenue of information and insight.

“We’ve shifted our club toward education and taking in new brewers under our wing,” Brutopia Brewing Company Operations Manager Dawn Jones said. “It’s a great place to ask different questions. Brewing is like cooking, and there is no one way to do it.”

Every month, approximately 50 members meet and share their creations. The talks range from the development of flavors to trading ideas.

Along the way, ATF meets for a Stouts and Stogies event, Christmas parties, potlucks and many other gatherings where the group can socialize.

There’s an event held once a year allowing new brewers to purchase equipment at an affordable rate that isn’t being used.

ATF’s Facebook page is filled with posts by members who want to share something they’ve found about the brewing process. There are also plenty of posts letting others know about extra ingredients they can have if they choose.

“There’s endless knowledge, which is first and foremost important,” Jones said. “Some are young, some are old, and some are just getting started. It’s mostly education, and a lot about being together. It’s family-friendly and something we like to do.”

The owners of BrÜtopia were both homebrewers with ATF prior opening the business in 2017. Much of that beer was born out of homebrew recipes.

It’s in that spirit that ATF finds itself a place for camaraderie, beer development and a signature brand that the community can support.

The formula lends itself to at least another 20 years of good beer and good times.

“We’re educating each other, adding new members and they’re learning from each other,” Jones said. “And around we go.”

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Alcohol Through Fermentation

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