ASBC Newsletter

It’s hard to believe how quickly this year has passed, and that this will be my last President’s Column. Seems like just yesterday that I was writing my first column right after returning from our annual meeting in La Quinta, CA. And now, in just two short months we’ll be gathering again in Victoria, BC, Canada, for our 71st ASBC Annual Meeting!

It has been an exciting and a challenging year for the ASBC. As I mentioned in an earlier Newsletter, the challenges we are facing as a society are really no different than those that other societies face: adding value, promoting membership growth, increasing volunteerism, and ensuring financial health. All of these are essential to a society’s success and longevity.

The idea of adding value to not only our membership, but to our companies and our industry is of utmost importance. The significance of working synergistically with similar organizations is well recognized by the ASBC, and great strides were made this year to identify opportunities to work more closely with one of these organizations, the MBAA. A new cooperative agreement between the ASBC and the MBAA was drafted and signed in February. The Joint Steering Committee that was formed meets regularly via teleconferencing and already has planned a joint venture for this year—the 1st International Brewers Symposium: Hop Flavor and Aroma (August 9–10). I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Joint Steering Committee, Mike Joyce, Mary-Jane Maurice, Bob Foster, Gil Sanchez, George Reisch, and Ruth Martin, for their efforts! This promises to be a very beneficial relationship for both organizations.

In addition to the MBAA, there are other organizations with which the ASBC has established working relationships or is exploring the possibility of working more closely. These include the BCOJ (with whom we signed an updated cooperative agreement in 2003), the ISBT (International Society of Beverage Technologists), the vintners, the distillers, the ethanol fuel industry, and the Chinese brewing industry, to name but a few. While this list is by no means complete, it does help to paint a picture of how our society is reaching out to related organizations, sharing information and success stories, and learning from other organizations’ experiences. This adds value and, in some cases, promotes membership growth.

Our annual meetings are definitely at the top of the list when one thinks about how the ASBC adds value to its membership. This issue of the Newsletter outlines the outstanding program that is planned for the upcoming meeting in Victoria (June 16–20). The program includes 35 oral presentations, 34 posters, several workshops and seminars, exciting opening and closing keynote speakers, an exhibition, and a gourmet food and beer pairing event. Included in the topics covered in the workshops and seminars are “Quality Effectiveness,” “Beer Design,” “Off-flavor Notes from Aluminum Can Packaging – Fact or Fiction?,” “Organic,” and “Beer, Cheese, and Glassware.” Congratulations to John Engel and his very talented and energetic Program Committee for putting together yet another wonderful program. I look forward to seeing all of you in Victoria!

In April, the Board of Directors will be gathering for our spring meeting. At this meeting we will continue to discuss long-term strategic planning and our next steps for keeping our society vibrant and adding value. I look forward to the Board meeting, not only because of the feel-good effect that making progress and setting new goals has, but because of the sheer enjoyment that I get from working with the people on the Board. Thank you Greg, Mike, Xiang, John, Cindy-Lou, Dave, Rebecca, Joyce, Paul, Amy, and Steve. You turn challenges into fun and really know the meaning of hard work and dedication.

I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as the president of the ASBC over the last year. It has truly been a rewarding experience. I will always have an appreciation for the role that the ASBC has played in my professional development. Every bit as rewarding have been the interactions with members of the various committees, the Board, the St. Paul staff, and the general membership. Thank you for your support, and I encourage each of you to consider becoming more active in this great organization. It’s so worth it!

In This Issue

1st International Brewers Symposium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1
ASBC Foundation scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1
President's column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2
Letter to the editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3
Local section news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	6
Information about ASBC members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	6
2007 ASBC Annual Meeting preliminary program . . . . . . . . . .	9
2007 ASBC Annual Meeting abstracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	11
2007 ASBC Annual Meeting preliminary list of exhibitors . . . . .	45
General meeting information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	49
Hotel and housing information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	49
2007 ASBC Annual Meeting registration form . . . . . . . . . . . . .	51
Corporate membership application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	54
Salute to corporate members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	55
Upcoming events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	56
Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	56

In This Issue