Secret Santa '09

[Ozwald]

THE SECRET SANTA HOMEBREW SWAP '09!!

Here are the guidelines:

The deadline has been changed. I need your address & club info by Noon (EST) on Wednesday, December 9th. The random drawing will take place that afternoon & you will be notified via PM by Thursday (12/10) afternoon.

Homebrews only. No commercial beer should be sent unless it's a bonus gift in addition to your homebrew.

This isn't a contest, just for fun and to share your beer with another brewer while getting to try someone else's. I know some people are self-conscious about their beer, but there's no reason to be. Send what you got! On the flip-side, don't assume the brewer wants your critique on their brew. If you want opinions - ask for them, don't expect them. I repeat, this is just for fun!

Personally I think there should be a 22oz minimum. Either (1) 22oz bottle or (2) standard bottles. There is no maximum. If you're generous enough to send an entire case, you da maun!

Info would be appreciated, but optional. If you want to share an ingredient list, a brew date or even the entire recipe, go for it! If you're not one to give out your award-winning recipe, no worries! It would be nice to know, however, if the brew has a name or if you're going for a particular style. Even though I would like to thank my Santa personally, your name is not required with your shipment. If you want to keep it under wraps, that's ok.

~~~~~

All information sent is completely confidential & will only be given to your Secret Santa for the purposes of this swap. You will only find out who you're sending your brew to, not who has been given your name.

I think that gets the newer members up to speed with the veterans. Again, I've never organized anything like this before so it's likely I missed some useful info. Feel free to send me comments & suggestions. Thanks in advance for everyone's participation, hopefully we can make this years' the biggest swap yet. Cheers & happy brewing!

[Evan B]

Count me in!

[Dubba_Brew]

I'm in.... the only thing that I'm not sure about is the "Homebrew Only". Heck... if you've got nothing ready at the time and feel like sending me some good local beer that I can't get... I'll drink it.

Since this is Santa and not the community brew, I think we should actually try to send beers to people not that close to us. That way we can include some good local stuff... if so inclined. Just my thoughts.

CHEERS!!

[Ozwald]

I'm in.... the only thing that I'm not sure about is the "Homebrew Only". Heck... if you've got nothing ready at the time and feel like sending me some good local beer that I can't get... I'll drink it.

I can understand that, but I was trying to keep the focus on the homebrews. I guess if you have absolutely nothing of your own ready... I just didn't want to open the flood gates & have people send commercial beer cause they don't think their own is good enough or for whatever reasons. That's the reason I mentioned commercial brews as a 'bonus'. I want to include as many people as possible, not scare them away.

With that said, the 'rules' aren't really rules but a guideline to get everybody on the same page.

Since this is Santa and not the community brew, I think we should actually try to send beers to people not that close to us. That way we can include some good local stuff... if so inclined. Just my thoughts.

Another good point. I started to consider that, but I was thinking we should keep with Secret Santa tradition. We're swapping our own homemade products and without naming names, some are going to be more desirable than others. Let's say one of our members brews 48 point beers every time - everyone will probably want that person as their Santa. Just because that person lives on the other side of the state instead of the country than you, shouldn't effect that.

I think, to keep things fair, I'm going to write down everyone's name in the database on a piece of paper, toss them in my old 6 gallon extract kettle and start picking names as I go down the database list. If it looks like you live right next door from each other, I think that could warrant a re-pick. Which gives me another idea - if you're involved with a local club, let me know when you email me your shipping info. That way I can re-pick if members of the same club are drawn.

Thanks for your input Dub, make sure you mail me your info so I can get you in the database.
Cheers!

[leaky_porch]

Count me in!

[gbob]

I'm in.

Last year I shiped out some beers that, if I brewed them today, I would consider to be failures. I was still doing extracts back then. Now? I would like to think that I make some prety tasty beers.

I prefer homebrews. It just has more of a personal touch.

[Evan B]

I think there should be at least a bottle or two of homebrew included. I agree that a local commercial beer should be an added bonus. If you are afraid of not having anything ready, then brew soon! You have time!

That said, if there's interest in a commercial holiday beer swap. Mayhaps we could arrange a second secret santa exclusively for that? Or would we just confuse each other with so many options?

[Ozwald]

If someone else wants to arrange a commercial swap, that's up to them. I have a feeling my hands will be full enough with this one
And gbob, what happens next year? If last year's are a 'failure' now, how much better will you be by next year?

And a general note to everyone interested - if you haven't gotten an email back from me, I don't have you in the database yet. We only have 4 people in so far.