Fermentation Club brews for members

First Fermentation Club meeting ensues with beer and the future on mind.

By Melissa Gilstrap

Published March 5, 2010

The Mizzou Fermentation Club does not let much ale it, especially when new opportunities for the semester are brewing.

The club had its first educational meeting of the semester Thursday night in Eckles Hall.

The Mizzou Fermentation Club educated students at the meeting in the science of home brewery.

Treasurer Will Scheperle has been brewing beer for around two years.

Accurate brewing requires knowledge of water ph levels, ideal boiling temperature and the correct amount of ingredients, Scheperle said.

According to MU policy, no actual alcohol can be consumed during the meetings. The addition of yeast to start the fermentation process will be done on brew days off campus.

The first actual brewing session will be held at a member's home at noon Sunday. During this first session, experienced members will demonstrate the beer making process to the new members. Members who are new to the process will get hands-on experience during the second brew day.

"The way I learned was hands-on experience," Vice President Anthony Sbarro said.

President Kimberly Musket discussed future plans at the meeting.

"This year I'm going to try to incorporate wine," Musket said. "Next semester in the fall, we'll do wine of the month if we can get people more interested."

The Mizzou Fermentation Club also discussed this semester's trip to a corporate brewery in St. Louis.

"We are trying to get in contact with Anheuser-Busch," Sbarro said.

The group was founded three years ago in 2007.

"Recently we've been working on sponsorship," Sbarro said. "We really want new people to join."

Musket and Sbarro said they want to make it known that age, expertise and major are no barriers to joining the club. Both said they have had some experience, but are not experts. Anyone 18 and up, who is interested in the brewing process, is encouraged to join.

Junior Patrick Dyer said he joined the club last year and said he was looking forward to becoming proficient enough at brewing beer to do it at home over the summer.

The club has seen changes in members and officers, but it reports the central goal of the group will not change.

"The main goal has always been to educate people," Musket said.

Sbarro said the club is a great way to meet friends and learn about beer.

"It's a learning experience," Musket said. "It's a different skill that most people won't have."