February 2026 Meeting Minutes

Ben Farhner

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February 19, 2026

Fossil Cove Brewery, Fayetteville, AR

  • Attendance: 12
  • Homebrews: 16

Guests: Justin McGinnis

David Johnson started the meeting at 7:09 PM with a toast.

Last Month

  • Brewer of the Month: Ben Farhner
  • Beer of the Month: Ben Farhner’s Old Black 2022 Belgian dark strong ale
  • Ass of the Month: Kevin Elsken

2026 Awards

  • Ass of the Year award presented to Kevin Elsken
  • Brewer of the Year award presented to Randy Germann

Beers were introduced and an intermission taken to sample the beers.

Old Business

Dues are owed

  • Chris Abel is absent; David Johnson is accepting cash but can’t write receipts

Frost Fest 2026

  • Thanks to Greg Newman and Ben Farhner for bringing 5 beers to serve
  • The event was bigger and better than last year, and the weather was fabulous!

King for a Day

  • Wort pickup was on February 14
  • Serving event is on March 21 at 1:00 PM
    • King award: popular vote for beers made with the Philosopher King wort
    • Jack award: popular vote for any other fermented beverage

Iron Brewer Competition

  • Q4 2025: Belgian Dark Strong (26D), still needs to be judged
    • Currently planning to judge on Saturday, February 21, 11 AM at Randy Germann’s house
  • Q1 2026: Vienna Lager (7A), due April 16, 2026 at FLOPS
  • Q2 2026: Irish Red (15A), due July 7, 2026 at OZ
  • Q3 2026: Rauchbier (6B), due October 15, 2026 at FLOPS

January Social

  • Only two members made it to Mad Rooster on January 24 during the snow storm.

Belgium Trip

  • James Harvey’s Belgium trip that was planned for June 2026 has been canceled
  • James Harvey is planning a Germany trip for October 2027 including Bamburg, Stuttgart, and Munich

Hop Schedule

  • National Homebrew Competition
    • 5 days left for entries as of Feb 19
    • Awards ceremony is on June 20 in Asheville, NC
    • More info here
  • Red Earth Brewers Spring Brew Off
    • Entries open until March 20 but looking full
    • Awards ceremony is on April 18 at Roughtail Brewing in Oklahoma City, OK
    • More info here
  • Mead Stampede
    • 2026 event info is not live yet but it is typically in June
    • More info here

Goals for 2026

  1. Charity involvement and events
    • The Beaver Watershed Alliance hosts a yearly event in the spring, and the club is interested in bringing homebrew to that event.
    • There is discussion of a potential Brewtober Chilifest spiritual successor event in the spring or summer.
      • The event would be hosted by St. Joseph’s, Patrick Bohannan’s church, and it is in need of an organizer.
    • The club is open to additional ideas.
  2. Recruitment and outreach
    • The club is looking to boost current recruitment methods and experiment with new ideas.
    • The club is looking to increase club outreach. Some outreach ideas include the following:
      • Hosting seminars
      • Advertising at charity events
      • Increasing collaboration with other clubs and breweries
      • Enhancing social media presence
  • David Johnson made a motion to form a committee to plan a collaboration event with CAF, James Harvey seconded the motion, and members carried the motion with a vote.
    • Kevin Elsken, James Harvey, Randy Germann, and Daniel Stubblefield volunteered to be on the committee.

New Business

NWA Women’s Shelter Event

  • April 18, 2026, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at Bentonville Brewing
  • Entries can include beer & cider, kegs & bottles
  • Winner will get to brew their winning beer at a commercial brewery
  • Message Justin McGinnis directly on Facebook to sign up

February Social

  • James Harvey proposed the chili cook-off at Natural State on February 28, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
    • Event is free and open to the public
    • Chili judging is at 2:30 PM
    • David Johnson made a motion to make this the club social event, Ty Weston seconded the motion, and it was carried by members.

Miscellaneous

  • Kevin Elsken proposed the club buy tent weights for the tent, Randy Germann seconded, and members approved it with a vote.
  • Kevin Elsken mentioned the club officers on the website are now out of date and needs to be updated.
    • Greg Newman will plan a website training session for officers
    • Greg Newman volunteered to take portraits of the new officers.
  • Alex Smith offered free Special B malt to members
  • The Art of Home Brew Showcase in Siloam Springs is on May 16, 2026, 4:00 PM–7:00 PM

Education

  • Ty Weston presented on brewing Vienna lager

Meeting closed at 8:38 PM, opening up to GODS, the Greater Ozark Drinking Society.

Brewer of the Month

  1. Ty Westen
  2. Kevin Elsken
  3. Ken Gill

Beer of the Month

  • Ty Weston’s Black IPA

Ass of the Month

  • Daniel Stubblefield for not bringing beer to Frost Fest

Meeting concluded at 8:55 PM.

Ben Farhner