Planning has started for Big Strange Brew 2014, The date has been set for June 13,14,15th 2014. Please book your vacation time from work now!
Here is an overview from last years sign up sheet. There are also pictures from past events on this site if you want to search for them.
What is BSBNB? The Big Strange Brew New Brunswick is a celebration of all-grain brewing and associated activities including grilling, bread making, smoking food, pickling, coffee roasting, and other great enjoyments of life. We get together several times a year across the country in small private events, and the mid-June New Brunswick event attracts people from all over the place for a fine and memorable celebration. We brew beer, drink beer, talk about beer and brewing, eat very good food, and sit around a bonfire, telling lies, ranting, and generally behaving like big social idiots. We also endeavor to be a family friendly event, and our current site, Camp Pascobac, has plenty of activities to interest non-brewers as well, so bring your family and friends!
Come and learn how to brew beer. "Give a man a beer, and he wastes an hour. Teach a man to brew, and he wastes a lifetime", is the motto of the Members of Barleyment (http://barleyment.wort.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), the brewclub which gave rise to the original Big Strange Brew in Ottawa, and this offshoot in New Brunswick which has taken on a life of its own over the years.
We love to teach people how to create delicious potables, and cheerfully welcome any aspiring brewers who are interested in learning the craft. There is a wealth of knowledge at this event that can show you how to acquire a set-up, purchase the ingredients, and join an incredible friendly community of hobbyists and casual brewers.
Why "Strange"? Well, every brewer who brews beer at a Big Strange Brew receives a complimentary copy of StrangeBrew, the brewing software no brewer should be without, courtesy of Drew Avis, the creator of Strangebrew (http://www.sgebrew.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). And if you are a Canadian homebrewer and are not using this fine Canadian software, then shame on you!
Registration fees and signing up:
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: $xx fee per attending adult IF PAID ON OR BEFORE SUNDAY, MAY 12.
$xx per attending adult over 18 if payment is not sent by this date. (Kids under drinking age attend free!)Many people bring tents and trailers to set up in the big field for a little more privacy, but there are on-site community cabins with a number of op
To pay, please email Money transfer (interac, paypal or other) to Wayne Love waynelovesbeer@gmail.com.
For any questions, please email Wayne Love at the above address.
What does the admission fee cover?
Accommodation and access to the facility on Friday and Saturday night.
en-frame bunkbeds if you just want to bring a sleeping bag and crash somewhere. (Some may be reserved for families with kids, so please check).
Meals on Saturday and Sunday, including Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and Brunch on Sunday.
Those with dietary restrictions or sensitivities (vegetarian, no red meat, allergies, etc.) please advise on the sign-up sheet below and we will be happy to accommodate you.
Admission to the beach bonfires and, on Saturday night, fireworks events.
Barbecues and a massive propane stove for cooking
Free home brewing demonstration on Saturday from any of our participants that will be brewing this year.
What does the admission fee not cover?
Your Friday night supper - that’s open grill - we’ll provide a hot bbq for people to use.
SORRY, NOT AVAILABLE (Supplier fell through)Your choice of souvenir t-shirt, or souvenir footed beer glass (please select one or the other on the sign-up sheet). Approx. cost will be $10 each.
Anything you'd care to bring for shareable snacks, especially if it’s home-made or out-of-the-ordinary. StrangeBrew celebrates good food as much as good beer!
Beverages. **This is a BYOB event.**
Site clean-up, including garbage disposal, dishes, mopping, and bathroom clean-up.
We pay a damage deposit, and are expected to leave the site as clean as it was when we arrived, and everyone’s help in cleaning up is greatly appreciated.
Where is this event?
BSNBB’s location is Camp Pascobac (via Google Maps), on the beautiful Belleisle Bay near Kars, NB. There is a large lodge with a fireplace, a beach, walking trails, softball field, volleyball court, and horseshoes. For more about the camp, see http://www.pascobac.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
How do I get there?
From Fredericton and points West: Take the Trans Canada East towards Moncton, once past Oromocto exit to take the 102 towards Gagetown, drive past Gagetown keeping on the 102 towards Grand Bay - Westfield. Just past Hampstead you will hit Evandale, where there will be a sign for the cable ferry, and for HWY 124 - Norton. Turn left and board the ferry, which is free. When you get off the ferry at Kars it is almost exactly 9 km down HWY 124 to Camp Pascobac. Turn RIGHT when you see the sign, drive - slowly please - past the cottages (about 800m) and you are there. It is a picturesque drive so have your camera ready.
From Moncton and points East - take the Trans Canada West towards Sussex. Take exit 175 for HWY-124/HWY-865 toward Norton. Turn right on HWY 124 and keep going - Camp Pascobac is 1 km past the Belleisle Bay Ferry, turn LEFT when you see the Camp Pascobac sign, the camp is about 800m down Pascobac Lane.
From Saint John - take the Trans Canada to Sussex, exit at Hampton, head down Main Street, cross the Green Bridge. Head towards Kingston. There will be a sign for Kiersteadville and for the Belleisle Bay Ferry - follow this, take the ferry, once off the ferry turn LEFT and follow Rte 124 to Evandale. 1 km past the ferry is the sign for Camp Pascobac, turn left, the camp is about 800m down Pascobac lane.
Accommodations: The camp has five bunkhouses (bring your own bedding) in addition to the main lodge building. One or two cabins, depending on attendance and demand, will be set aside for families so children can be put to bed at a reasonable time. If staying in a cabin, you will be responsible for tidying it up and sweeping the floor at the end of the weekend. There is also ample room for tenting or trailering, with over an acre of grassy fields to set up in.
What should I bring?
MANDATORY ITEMS
Important: Your contribution to the beer supply.
Homebrew is preferred, but craft beers are acceptable as well. Please bring at least as much as you think you'll drink, plus some for sharing.
If you’re a kegger, please bring your own cobra tap and disconnects, and CO2/beergas if you can.
Many of us are secretly highfalutin’ snobs, so if you show up with anything you’d see on a Superbowl ad, be prepared for some good natured teasing...
If you arrive Friday afternoon or evening, bring something to throw on the grill...
A sampling-sized and easily recognizable beer glass.
RECOMMENDED ITEMS
Typical outdoor supplies: Bug repellent, sunscreen, hat, folding lawn chairs.
Rain gear, just in case. A plastic tarp or two can be useful as well.
A guitar, fiddle, tuba, didgeridoo, or other musical instrument. We’re often the best source of our own entertainment. (Bagpipes have been known to put in an appearance!)
An iPod and cord to hook up to the stereo, and some good tunes if you have ‘em.
OPTIONAL OTHER ITEMS
Camping equipment, if you’re camping.
Anything you'd care to bring for shareable snacks, preferably home-made or out-of-the-ordinary. StrangeBrew celebrates good food as much as good beer!
If you happen to be a come-from-away or someone that has access to non-standard or exotic brewed beverages, you’ll earn a lot of smiles if you bring some different commercial or home-brewed beverages for sampling. We’ve had excellent unique cider, mead, and trappist ale contributions in previous years.
A canoe or kayak for a morning paddle along the beautiful Bellisle Bay.
Also, see the “Gear we need” list at the bottom of this document
Important Legal Stuff: Please be aware that the camp is a large place, and there are hazards like bonfires, unsupervised swimming, and propane burners. The fact that there will be so many fine beers to sample means we must all keep safety foremost in our minds. Children and dogs are more than welcome, but you are expected to properly supervise any progeny or furry friends you do bring, and to clean up after them. All attendees are expected to comport themselves as responsible adults. Drink responsibly, and UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you even consider driving home if you have been drinking - there is plenty of space to stay over at the camp! The camp has us sign a waiver disclaiming any legal responsibility they may have to any guests. We likewise cannot be responsible for any accidents that may occur during the event. So, here is the legalese:
BY REGISTERING FOR AND ATTENDING "BIG STRANGE BREW NB " (THE "EVENT") I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT I WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS THAT I MAY HAVE OR MAY HAVE IN THE FUTURE AGAINST THE ORGANIZERS OF THE EVENT (THE "ORGANIZERS"). ALL ATTENDEES AGREE:
(1) TO RELEASE THE ORGANIZERS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY OR EXPENSE THAT THEY MAY SUFFER AS A RESULT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE ORGANIZERS;
(2) TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE ORGANIZERS FROM ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OF, OR PERSONAL INJURY TO, ANY THIRD PARTY RESULTING IN PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY REGISTERING FOR THE EVENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND ASSIGNS MAY HAVE AGAINST THE ORGANIZERS.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Agenda To be Determined. This is from last year, we are planning on going big on the food component this year.
Friday:
Afternoon: We usually get the keys and can open the place around 12 noon; please show up any time thereafter.
Evening: There will be an open grill for supper, and a bonfire on the beach. Bring whatever you'd like to throw on the grill.
Saturday (brew day):
Breakfast: As soon as the sun rises, a group of hungry volunteers prepares a bacon and egg breakfast to tide participants over until Beer O'Clock. People traditionally start setting up for brewing immediately after eating breakfast so as not to interfere with the evening's activities. Please add your name to the volunteer list if you are willing to cook!
Morning: Those that are brewing at the event usually start between 9 am and 10am, finishing up around suppertime. We will try to have an electrical panel set up for electric brewers if needed.
Lunch: We are placing an order for organic local sausages. Alternatives will be provided for non-sausage eaters - let us know please if you are one of those.
Dinner: Chicken Curry a la Moussouri with Basmati Rice. Any vegetarians, let us know and we’ll make a Dal as well. Plus, Big Steve (aka Granpa Boozy) will make his famous Gravel Pit Salad!
Evening: The REAL BONFIRE will take place in the evening, followed by FIREWORKS on the beach. Singing of dirty songs, telling of off colour jokes (starting a bit later so kiddies won't get TOO offended!), and ranting is strongly encouraged. The best rant wins... a beer!
Sunday:
Breakfast: Our famous Belgian Waffle Breakfast (timing TBD), with chocolate, whipped cream and fresh fruit toppings.
Morning: Cleaning up (please, please help - see signup sheet below), and folks will pack up and head home at their leisure.
