We held elections and the KGB leaders of 2013 have been determined.  I hear Florida is still counting, but their results can not influence the outcome, which is:

Congratulations to the winners.  We thank you for your service!

It's November, so you all know it's time for the Special Phrenology Edition of The KGB Files.  Oh, and don't forget that little something we call the Smörgåsbeerd.  November 10th.  Don't miss it.  Five bucks.  Start the holiday season right, comrades, and Smörgåsbeerd your ass off!

Comrades, it’s actually cool outside!  Don’t take my word for it.  Strip naked and walk out the back door.  It’s invigorating!

Not quite as exciting, however, is this month’s KGB files.  Read it anyway, though.  The Czar commands you!

The months are flying by and the newsletters are keeping up.  Here’s our latest.

Damn.  It’s hot out there.  Stay in.  Open a beer.  Read the latest newsletter.

Better late than never!  Sorry for the late newsletter, comrades.  The July meeting snuck up on some of us.  Here’s your link.

There’s gonna be a Steak Out, comrades, so get yourselves comfy and settle in for the long haul.  “Wait a minute!” you say.  “Typo alert!” you exclaim, haughtily.  Wrong again, autolysis-breath, I did mean to spell steak like that. 

For those new to the concept, the KGB Steak Out is the meeting in June when you cook your own steak (or chop, or burger, or tofu) on the grill.  The General Secretary will fill out the rest of your plate with salad and whatnot (don’t ask), and the Commissar Brewski will, of course, shellac your palate with all manner of whatever beer he’s favoring this month (APA, ESB & Bitter).

Find out the when and where of it all (among other things) in this month’s KGB Files.

Once again, the upgrade fairy has come and gone and left things in a shambles.  I tried updating the web site to the new and improved version of our software, but it won't let people log in afterwards, so I've set things back like they were.  I'm not sure how to proceed, but I'll keep thinking about it.

Big Batch Brew Bash 17 has come and gone, and despite the record number of 144 entries, the day was surprisingly calm and worry-free.  Thanks to longtime BBBB coordinator, Donald Sajda’s extensive preparation, we had the first flight seated at around 8:30 in the morning.  No Wheaties required for these guys!

Jeffery Lind took away the Ken Rich Memorial Award for having the highest score among the 38 beers entered by first-timers of a homebrew competition.

The coveted Heavy Hitters Award was, once again, taken by the KGB.  This time, however, we only won by one entry.  Let’s definitely step it up for next year, comrades.

Finally, Pete Garza of the Bay Area Mashtronauts went home with best of show honors for a concoction he named “Black Hops.”  The complete list of winners is shown below.

HM = Honorable Mention

The style for BBBB 18 (next year) is Witbier, and the style for BBBB 19 (2014) is Belgian Pale Ale.  Start your mashes!

A brand new KGB Files awaits your eager clickity-clicking.  Wait no longer!