Hi all, and thanks for coming out to Zen Bee Meadery for our March meeting last night. Dan DeMura told us about Zen Bee’s history and offered samples of two meads currently in development.
Our Club Competition theme was Mead, Cider & Sour. Thanks to our judges Mary Koeppen and friend. Here’s who placed:
- Honorable Mention: Winter Ross’s Orange is the New Black (dessert mead)
- 3rd: John Boker’s Blueberry/Cranberry Cider
- 2nd: Alex Nutter’s Cranberry Maple Cider
- 1st: Christoph Lepper’s Mr. Pickle sour
Check the Leaderboard for current standings toward Brewer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Nominations for the next SODZ Board positions were accepted. We will continue to accept nominations until 4/19/26. Voting will take place at the April meeting on 4/20/26. New officers will be on board for May 2026, serving through April 2027.
Board Nominees:
- President – Sandy Hugill
- Vice-President – Jeremy Eberle
- Secretary – Jared Parko
- Treasurer – Kelly Woods
- Membership Director – Aaron Davis
Additionally, the current board decided to appoint a Social Media Coordinator, and to separate that role from the Secretary position. This new role is a non-voting position and will be filled by Chris Woodley (you can call him the Director of Fermentation Communication).
Also at the April Voting Meeting – we will be voting to accept an updated version of the club’s bylaws. Most changes are minor, and we are also adding a section to codify the Statutory Agent. This person is registered with the state of Ohio to maintain the club’s legal status. Jessica Clark Royster is assuming this role. We will distribute a copy of the proposed bylaws two weeks before the meeting so members have a chance to review them before voting.
David Young shared some news about changes at Buckeye Brewcraft. At the end of the month, the store will move to a Gahanna location co-located with a cidery and brewery production space. The new Buckeye Brewcraft retail footprint will be smaller, but they will continue to stock the same range of items, except they will offer fewer winemaking kits. The partnership in the new space will provide opportunities for more events at Buckeye Brewcraft, including fully supported brew-on-site events. Watch for more details from them soon, and let’s continue to support our local homebrew shop!
Upcoming Events:
- 4/20/26, 6-8 pm – April Voting Meeting at Honest Friend Brewing. Please try to arrive early. We will kick off announcements and voting promptly at 7 pm, as the brewery closes at 8 pm. Club Comp theme: Hopapalooza (anything over 40 IBUs).
- 4/25/26 – 9 am – British Beerfest at Parsons North Brewing – Entries are open and we need more judges and stewards. Register entries or to volunteer here.
- 4/27/26 – 5/1/26 – Barley’s Homebrew Competition entry dates. Details here. You can also bring your entries to the April club meeting or to British Beerfest.
- 5/2/26 – TBD – Big Brew Day at Columbus Brewing Co’s production facility. We are confirming details with CBC and will share more soon. Historically, CBC makes a mash and brewers can take FREE wort to boil on site using a gas kettle, or take it home to boil.
- 5/17/26, 1 pm – Barley’s Afternoon with the Brewers
- 5/18/26, 7 pm – May Meeting at Ill Mannered Brewing. Club Comp theme: Yellow Fizzy Yellow Beer.
- TBD in May – Progressive Home Brewery Tour – Aaron Davis will coordinate a new date that does not conflict with Easter or other club events.