Jack Of All Brews was founded in 2006 by Eric Wentling and J.D. Ludford; neighbors and homebrewers. With the nearest club over 30 minutes away they decided to start their own club in the Far Western Exurbs of Minneapolis. Soon they had recruited more brewers from the area, with new members showing up every month or so.

We welcome all brewers (and a few who haven’t brewed yet) of all levels.  Initially all of our members were extract brewers, but now about 1/3 are all-grain or partial-mash brewers.  Each month we meet to try beers, socialize and expand our brewing knowledge.  We make sure to have a lecture or demonstration each month by either a club member or a special guest: We have had presentations on malting, off-flavors, mead making, wood aging, calibration of equipment, and more.  Each month we award the Golden Mash Paddle plaque to the best beer of the night, and are now auditioning a similar award for non-beer beverages.

As a newer club we are still finding our path, trying new things and starting traditions.  Each year we have a Christmas potluck and present swap, with plenty of winter ales.  Last January we began the “You Win Jack Awards” for those who have done outstanding things for the club.  Every three months or so we do group brews: everyone who wants to participate will brew the same style of beer and we will compare and contrast using the BJCP guidelines. 

We currently have 2 BJCP judges and some others who are interested in getting into judging.  We have helped out with local competitions: Byggvir’s Cup, the Upper Mississippi Mash Out.  We plan on becoming more involved statewide and will be involved with club night at the 2010 AHA National Homebrewers Conference here in Minnesota.

Our website is www.jackofallbrews.org.  We have an online JABber forum that sees daily use by many members for brewing info, equipment sales and local beer events.

Our club makes an effort to get involved in the local beer scene as well.  We have had group tours to Schell’s, Summit, and Flat Earth Breweries.  Group trips to local beer tastings and festivals are also on the agenda.

Most importantly, we want to encourage love of good beer and the art of homebrewing out here in our semi-rural neck-of-the-woods.  Our new members advance from basic kit brewing to making award-winning beers fairly quickly.  Oh, and getting together with fifteen to twenty other brewers every month to show off your most recent concoction is just plain fun!