Something is brewing at Union Hall — more accurately, homebrewing.
On June 15, the Park Slope bar and performance space will host Knights of Bruklyn Homebrewer’s Sentry, the first in a series of three homebrew competitions.
These knights are not out to save a damsel in distress — unless that damsel likes a strong, quirky brew with a typically eccentric name.
Bill Ryder, an avid homebrewer, will go into battle with a classic pale ale with a snappy name: the Naked Short Sale Pale Ale.
“I’m always curious what people think of my beer,” said Ryder, who’s been brewing in his Park Slope home for several years. “This is just a simple recipe. It’s lighter and good for warmer weather.”
This contest, though, will be war — especially given the booty: The finalists will go head to head for the chance to brew a keg of their prize-winning beer at Sixpoint Craft Ales in Red Hook.
Boerum Hill resident Erich Carrie thinks something with a little more edge will nab him the win — he’s brewing a dunkelweizen, a dark German wheat beer that he’s spicing up with brown sugar and peaches.
“It’s an easy drinking beer, and peaches are an interesting addition,” said Carrie.
Brewing experts from Sixpoint, Kelso of Brooklyn and Brooklyn Brew Shop will judge the 15 competitors. Sixpoint, for one, has had a longstanding relationship with the homebrew community.
“When we first got started, we used to go to homebrew association meetings and bust out the samples,” said Jeff Gorlechen of Sixpoint. “Homebrewers helped us develop the recipes that would eventually become Sixpoint’s recipes.”
Unfortunately, the first round has filled, but brewers should keep a look out for sign-ups for the second round. And if you don’t brew, fret not — instead head to Union Hall June 15 for to sample homebrew, sip limited edition cask ales and geek out with the rest of Brooklyn’s homebrew community.
Knights of Bruklyn Homebrewer Sentry at Union Hall [702 Union St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 638-4400] on June 15 at 7 pm.