Club Overview

Purposes of the Oregon Brew Crew (as per the bylaws)

• To promote interest in and the understanding of beer, beer appreciation and the craft of brewing among its members and the general public
• To provide educational opportunities in the history and methods of brewing and the development of styles
• To advance skills in brewing techniques and formal beer evaluation
• To promote, encourage and sponsor opportunities to participate in local, regional and national brewing competitions
• To provide opportunities for its members to share in the interest of craft brewing
   

The Oregon Brew Crew cares. For many years, the OBC has donated to the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Brewing Scholarship program as well as the Bob McCracken Jr. Memorial Scholarship at Oregon State University. In 2014, the OBC donated to the Bottler's Mausoleum Restoration Project and co-sponsored the Pure Water Brew competition. 

Beginning in 2015, the OBC has donated funds to the Peninsula Community Education Fund, co-sponsored the Pure Water Brew (again) and in 2016, via the #BeerForFlint project, the Community Foundation for Greater Flint. Also in 2016, the OBC donated to the Lower Columbia River Estuary Project via the Homebrew Battle for the Columbia River Estuary.

Meetings (what to expect, what they’re about)

What is an “In” meeting?
"In" meetings are hosted by F.H. Steinbart Company (always held on the second Thursday of the month). In meetings give us a chance to talk about what’s going on in our club and hold business and well as host educational opportunities and tastings. We start check-in around 7:p.m., sign on new members, and welcome guests. People socialize, share beer, talk over brewing, and enjoy food and snacks that are normally tied to a monthly theme decided by our Burgermeister. We start the business portion of our meeting at roughly 7:30p.m. and we try to keep it to 30 - 45 minutes tops. After business comes the educational portion, tasting, or other special event, which we will have announced previous to the meeting. This portion varies in length. To honor our gracious hosts at FH Steinbart, we wrap everything up (clean up, put chairs away, ensure the area is back to the way we came into it) and must leave the premises no later than 10p.m.

What is an “out” meeting?
“Out” meetings were a chance for Oregon Brew Crew members to experience commercial brewing-based local businesses first-hand, usually in a brewery or brewpub, and enjoy educational opportunities as guided by a brewer or owner. As of October 2023, the "Out" meetings have folded into our monthly social "B" meetings, since that is what they had become anyway. And the board has decided to shift the beer tab money into programs related to club member and group homebrewing activities.

Out meetings which are hosted by businesses held away from Steinbart's can usually vary in start time for convenience to our hosts. Specific days and start times may vary, but the meetings are usually two weeks after the regular membership meetings.

Volunteering (all of these things earn you Member of the Year points)

How can I help with check-in at meetings?
You may contact the board directly via email to help out. They can be reached at board@oregonbrewcrew.org. Let them know your intention and when you’d like to help. They'd be more than happy to show you the ropes!

How can I help out on a committee, such as the festival (aka volunteer), education, communication, competition, or burgermeister committees?
You may contact the heads of committees directly via email to help or ask to become a committee member. It’s fun, it’s educational, and it’s a great way to give back to your club, as well as earn lots of points!   

Competitions

How do I enter a competition and what competitions are there?
Information on current competitions and how to enter them can all be found on our website under the Competition menu at the top of the page. For ease, the link is here. Any questions not answered on these pages can be addressed directly to the competition chair, at competition@oregonbrewcrew.org. If you have any information on competitions not listed, we are always happy to accept and post this info; just email it in.