[a10t2]

Maybe your club doesn't meet all my criteria, but it certainly meets the most important one- regular, physical meetings.

Your assumption that that is the most important criterion smacks of elitism to me. I don't live within two hours of a population center - so by your standards, I'm prohibited from belonging to a club?

The internet isn't going anywhere. Deal with it.

[Norm!]

No one mentioned Justin's acceptance speech here....he was quite gracious and acknowledged the fact that they are the club for folks who have no local club, he also advocated local involvement if possible....I side with Gordon...brew more beer and better beer...then talk about the rules!

[socalbrewer]

No one mentioned Justin's acceptance speech here....he was quite gracious and acknowledged the fact that they are the club for folks who have no local club, he also advocated local involvement if possible....I side with Gordon...brew more beer and better beer...then talk about the rules!

I agree and Justin clearly stated that he ask for those that also belong to a club enter there club name over the BN Army. Everyone and myself that is a regular on the Brewing Network you should represent your club first. So by taking the privileges of those that have clubs in their area or surrounding area should have the right to be part of a club of some sort and should have all right to enter as The Brewing Network. Its not about the club its about the brewer brewing the beer that makes the difference. Plus many medal winners that won this year are frequent visitors of The Brewing Network.

[tubercle]

...then talk about the rules!

  Goal Displacement is a Business Management term.

  It is where rules are established to reach a goal but following the rules becomes more important than reaching the goal.

[jamminbrew]

All 3 top clubs hail from California...  hmmm. A state with more people that 48 other states. Might as well say clubs from Cali should be disallowed from entering because Cali has a higher population, and more people to be in clubs, (hell, probably have more clubs period) than the other 48 states...NY, where are ya?

[narvin]

I have nothing to add except that I think it'd be funny if all of the Northern Brewer forum-ites started listing their club as "NB Navy".

AHA Coast Guard, anyone?

[Norm!]

...then talk about the rules!

  Goal Displacement is a Business Management term.

  It is where rules are established to reach a goal but following the rules becomes more important than reaching the goal.

How did you know I'm in management?   

[tubercle]

...then talk about the rules!

  Goal Displacement is a Business Management term.

  It is where rules are established to reach a goal but following the rules becomes more important than reaching the goal.

How did you know I'm in management?   

  Takes one to know one

[theDarkSide]

I have nothing to add except that I think it'd be funny if all of the Northern Brewer forum-ites started listing their club as "NB Navy".

And here's the Club President.

[gordonstrong]

I have nothing to add except that I think it'd be funny if all of the Northern Brewer forum-ites started listing their club as "NB Navy".

And this could be their theme song... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

[bluesman]

AHA Coast Guard, anyone?

I like it! 

[dcbc]

Thank goodness for the Brewing Network, my home brew club.  I have no local club.  Were it not for the Brewing Network, I would have probably given up on brewing a long time ago.  Instead, I have poured hours of thought and effort into this hobby and have gained a ton of enjoyment from it as a result.  I entered a couple of competitions last year with the BN listed as my home brew club.  I didn't win, but the feedback I received was very valuable.  I can honestly say my beers have improved dramatically over the last several years because of my "virtual" home brew club, the Brewing Network. 

I know it's not the same playing field to which the brick and mortar clubs, so to speak, have become accustomed.  But it enables the rest of us (those of us who don't have local clubs) to play for a team.  And I do not doubt that those of us who list the BN as our club truly believe it to be just that.  It's a club, it's a family, and I'm proud to watch it continue to grow.

And, yes, I pay dues.

[olllllo]

This controversy will all end when clubs offer up their attendance, membership lists, addresses, finances and by-laws for an AHA audit. I just sent mine off to Boulder where a team of bureaucrats will comb through them.

Seriously, I bet 10% of clubs actually take attendance and collect dues on-time.

[zen_brew]

 I don't know the answer, but it seems apparent there is an issue. I love the BN and happily acknowledge they play no small part in my own brewing knowledge,  as well as several other online message boards and forums where people happily exchange information with the goal of elevating the level of home brewing overall. I heartily raise my glass in cheers to Justin, Jamil, and the whole crew for what they have done, and for their COY victory.

 But they create an unfair playing field, and certainly the majority of the members do in fact live within regions where there are brick and mortar club options they could choose as clubs. If they focus their efforts, than the only way to beat them will be to form alliances to compete with their numbers, the same way it occurs in business. Already there was an interesting, and I'm sure unintentional consequence of opening entries to all regions from anywhere. You started to see clubs entering in multiple regions. This way if club X has 5 incredible IPA brewers, rather than knock each other out in the regionals where there are only 3 medals available, they could enter in 5 different regions where there are 15 medals to compete for. In effect they could garner 5 gold medals, where previously they would have been limited to 1 gold.

  In the past there have been very strong brew clubs, and they have been difficult to beat in competition.  But you always knew how to do it. Get similar membership numbers and bust your rump refining your club members brewing skills. There was a finite number of categories any club could enter in based on the style brackets. Now with virtual nationwide clubs, and with multiple regions open to any club, you can never be sure how many entries you have to compete against for any given club. Large clubs can saturate or "carpet bomb" the regional portion. This could have the unfortunate result of alienating many smaller and mid sized clubs.

 For me, my local club represents community, camaraderie, friendship, and regular interaction. We attend larger events such as regional or national events to share on a larger level, or to test our skills in friendly competition, but it all starts at the local level. Yes, it takes a village to raise a brewer.   

[Norm!]

It's pretty easy here, I'd like to  brew the best beer in my hood...all my friends and family drinking it, enjoying it...and having a great meal with it....what more is there?...good nuff right?