Mashing with Mosher: Respected Beer Writer to Attend Homebrew Party

By Steve Siciliano

I am pleased to announce that we have just been informed that noted author Randy Mosher will be attending the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party on Saturday, May 16th at Johnson Park.

The author of five books on beer and homebrewing, Mosher is a regular contributor to virtually all of the national beer- and brewing-related publications and has taught beer style courses at the Siebel Institute. Randy’s books will be available for purchase at the party at discounted prices.

In response to this late breaking news we have decided to offer tickets for the party at reduced price of $35.00. Please note, however, that due to the fact that the order for T-shirts have already been placed we will not be able to include a T-shirt in your package of gifts.

Discounted tickets for the 12th Annual Homebrew Party may be purchased in person at the store or by calling 616-453-9674 until the close of business on Sunday, May 10th.

Siciliano's Upcoming Homebrew Events: Info & Updates

By Steve Siciliano

On Saturday, April 19, over eighty BJCP-certified judges, professional brewers, experienced homebrewers and industry professionals will gather at the Guest House in Grand Rapids to participate in the judging for the Eleventh Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition. Included in this year’s record number of entries are submissions from homebrewers in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Florida, Texas and Montana.

The competition’s Best-of-Show winner will be announced at the Eleventh Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party on Saturday, May 17 at Townsend Park. Those not attending the party may pick up score sheets and medals at Siciliano’s Market beginning on Sunday, May 18.

If you live outside of the Grand Rapids area and would like your score sheets and medals mailed to you, please contact me at this address: steve@sicilianosmkt.com. If you are planning on attending the party and have not yet purchased a ticket you should do so as soon as possible as space is limited. You may purchase tickets in person at the store or with a credit card over the phone by calling 616-453-9674. Tickets are $40.00.

We are in the final planning stages for the Second Annual Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder. Fifty-three teams of homebrewers will be brewing up batches of “Beer City Brown” on the Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 3, from 9 am to 2 pm. The Big Brew event is free of charge and is open to the public. Entertainment will be provided by local music legend Jimmie Stagger.

Siciliano's 2014 Homebrew Events: Updates and Reminders

Homebrewers on Calder Plaza

By Steve Siciliano

We will begin accepting entries for the Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition on Monday, March 17. Online entry registration will open Monday, March 17 and will close Sunday, April 6 or until the 250 cap is reached, whichever comes first. You will have until Sunday, April13 to drop off entries. No entries will be accepted after this date.

This year’s Best-of-Show winner will receive a $500.00 gift card from Siciliano’s Market and will have the opportunity to brew the winning recipe on New Holland Brewing Company’s seven-barrel pub system. Complete competition details can be found here. Information on how to register entries through the Beers to Fear on-line competition center will be posted on The Buzz later this week.

Also, there are still a few open spots for brewing teams for the Second Annual Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder. Complete details for the May 3rd event can be found here. Anyone interested in being assigned as a brew team captain can contact Steve at this address: steve@sicilianosmkt.com.

Finally, the Eleventh Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party is going to be held this year on Saturday, May 17 at Townsend Park. Tickets are $40.00 per person and will go on sale on Monday, March 24. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Please note that party attendees will be receiving T-shirts this year and we will be asking for sizes at the time you purchase your ticket. If you are purchasing tickets for a spouse, friend, family member or significant other, you are going to need to know the correct size. Please don’t guess.

Please contact Siciliano's or email me directly with any questions that you have.

Siciliano's Upcoming Homebrew Events: Update

Sarah & Barb pick out door prizes
for the 11th Annual Homebrew Party

By Steve Siciliano

Team Siciliano has been busy lately touching base with merchandise vendors, T-shirt designers, caterers, entertainers, printers, banner makers, venue managers, food truck operators, the Grand Rapids water department, the Grand Rapids fire department, the Mayor’s office and the office of special events. We’ve been dotting our i’s, crossing our t’s and putting our ducks in a row. I detest using clichés, but I just couldn’t think of a better way of saying that right now we have a lot on our plates.

Here's what the team has been so busy working on of late: The upcoming homebrew competition and judging, the 11th Annual Siciliano's Homebrew Party, the 2nd Annual Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder and last, but certainly not least, our participation in the American Homebrewer Association annual convention.

We will be providing more details on each of these events in future Buzz posts. In the meantime here’s a plate of tasty appetizers:

• Entries for the Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition will be accepted from Monday, March 24th through Sunday, April 13th. This year’s Best-of-Show winner will receive a $500.00 gift card from Siciliano’s Market and will have the opportunity to brew the winning recipe on New Holland Brewing Company’s seven barrel pub system. Complete competition details can be found here.
• Last year’s inaugural Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder was a huge success and we’re making a few changes that will make this year’s Big Brew Day even better. The 2nd Annual Siciliano's Big Brew on the Calder is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd. Details on how to captain or participate on a brew team will be posted within the coming weeks.
• We are returning to Townsend Park on Saturday, May 17th for our 11th Annual Homebrew Party. Tickets are $40.00 per person and will go on sale on Monday, March 24th. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. 
• The American Homebrewers Association is bringing its annual convention to Grand Rapids in June and Siciliano’s Market will be participating in a big way—we have signed on as both the Keynote Speaker Sponsor and the Volunteer Sponsor for this year’s event. Information pertaining to the convention can be found on the AHA web site.