A really big brew

In 1978, homebrewing was federally legalized for the first time since Prohibition. In 1988, Congress declared the first Saturday in May as National Homebrew Day.

And since 1998, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has been marking the occasion with its Big Brew, encouraging homebrewers around the country to gather and fire up their kettles.

Spokane’s Inland Brewers Unite (IBU) club is celebrating Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at Nu Home Brew & Bottles in Spokane Valley, with at least eight members planning to brew in the back of the store and outside.

You can join them if you like, but you don’t have to mash in to participate. Anyone is welcome to stop by and see some all-grain brewing in action.

“We’re encouraging as many people as possible to come and check it out, see what the club is all about,” says IBU president Aaron Fernald.

The AHA is suggesting that participants use one of three recipes posted on its website – Killer Kolsch, Columbus Pale Ale or Old School Barleywine – though that’s certainly not mandatory.

While they brew, IBU members will be cooking up hot dogs and sharing some of their previous creations. There also will be raffles for merchandise from the store and beer-related businesses around the area (a $5 minimum purchase gets you a ticket).

And IBU memberships will be offered for $30 – a $5 discount – which includes a standing 10 percent discount at Nu Home Brew. The club, with around 60 official members, meets at least once a month for brew sessions and shares, and tours of area breweries.

Similar Big Brew gatherings are happening Saturday in Clarkston with the Wizards of Ale at Riverport Brewing, and in downtown Wallace with the Silver Valley Brew Club and Homestead Brewing Services.

Wherever you are, you can also get a free copy of “Brewing Better Beer” by Gordon Strong if you join the AHA (starting at $43 for one year) through the link here.

EOD Memorial at Mad Bomber: Saturday also marks a more solemn occasion – the annual EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Memorial Ceremony at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base, honoring military bomb squad members who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Mad Bomber Brewing in Hayden, owned and operated by former EOD technicians, is observing that with a day-long fundraiser featuring silent and live auctions, food from Blue Smoke BBQ, live music and a classic car show. Twenty percent of proceeds will be donated to the EOD Warrior Foundation.