JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- McChord Collocated Club was packed March 16 with beer enthusiasts -- those interested in learning more about beer, those that make beer and those that just enjoy drinking it. Joint Base Lewis-McChord's fourth annual Brewfest featured a competition for best homebrew and samples from the competition and local microbreweries.
Co-sponsored by Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the Homebrewers of Puget Sound Club, the event brought many new faces to home brewing.
Staff Sergeant Kyle Hepworth, a 627th Security Forces Squadron Airman, started brewing his own beer four months ago after receiving a kit for Christmas. While his Brown Sugar Molasses Porter did not win the competition he's eager to continue experimenting, particularly with hard ciders.
"I like ciders because they're scaled easier in one gallon (batches)," Hepworth said. "I can do more experimenting since it's only one gallon."
The homebrewers in attendance were there with samples of their beers, but also to share tips with others that currently brew at home or are interested in it. Samantha Robinett bought her husband Corey a homebrew kit recently and they were at Brewfest to pick up some brewing tips.
"It's fun to make your own recipe, if it tastes good then that's great," Corey said. Samantha added that she was happy to learn more about the process of brewing in simpler terms from the brewers in attendance.
Even the homebrewers were picking up tips from one another and meeting with the local microbreweries for even more tips.
Rupert Cross, a brewer at The Ram in Lakewood, was serving two types of beer from The Ram but originally started as a homebrewer himself. He's even given advice to some of the brewers that were in the competition, one of whom won for his porter. While his advice differs depending on the brew, he warns that the job takes a lot of work.
"It always sounds more glamorous than it is but it's a great job," Cross said. "There's a lot of physical labor involved."
Kurt Matthews and Ben Perry, JBLM firemen based at McChord Field, spoke to many of the microbrewery representatives in attendance to get advice about best brewing practices. They started brewing shortly after attending last year's Brewfest, aptly naming their venture "Fire Brothers Brewing," and admit that it's their main hobby now.
"It's like cooking, we can change the recipe and see what we can come up with," Matthews said.
At Brewfest they had their Chocolate Bacon Porter on tap, which brought many curious attendees to their table. Matthews and Perry were excited to get feedback on their brew.
"(Attendees and brewers) give good, helpful advice and comments -- very descriptive" Matthews said. "We like to know why they like it or don't."
Those who aren't into homebrewing themselves were interested in trying something new and hanging out with friends and co-workers.
"I want to try (beers) that people have spent their hard-worked time on," Capt. Brian Dodson, 4th Airlift Squadron, said.
All of the brewers admitted that it took a few tries to get their brews to a level that they are proud to share with others, but one piece of advice was repeated by all: Stick with it.
Winners of the Best of Show, Brian Parrish and Cliff Hile, have been brewing for three years and encourage anyone who is remotely interested in brewing to try it.
"Don't be afraid," Parrish said. He and Hile won with their Kodiak Pale Ale and admit that while some of their brews haven't been excellent, they haven't paid for a beer since they started brewing.
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