Derek for AHA Governing Committee

He’s Running

Founded in founded in 1978 by homebrew legend Charlie Papazian, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is dedicated to empowering homebrewers to make the best beer in the world through legal advocacy and educational resources. Besides having a full time staff of eight, did you know that the AHA has a governing committee comprised of fifteen member-elected volunteers that help shape the policy and activities on members’ behalf? In case you have not heard, the AHA Governing Committee elections are once again upon us and I am humbled to announce I have been nominated by Southern California area homebrewers to run for one of the five open seats this year.

My AHA election profile does a good job of covering the basics of who I am and why I am running, but I thought it might be helpful to expand on a few questions I have already heard a few folks ask. I appreciate your vote, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you might have.

What do members of the AHA Governing Committee do?

Officially, members of the Governing Committee are expected to uphold the goals/mission of the Governing Committee as follows:

To promote the art and science of homebrewing specifically and quality beer and brewing in general;
To serve as an AHA ambassador by promoting the AHA activities and programs;
To strengthen the AHA as an educational association by communicating suggestions, complaints, needs and trends;
To review and recommend AHA activities;
To support the AHA’s mission statement.

In human terms, the committee exists as way to get “real people” feedback and guidance on what the AHA is doing. Plus, they’re responsible for helping run a few subcommittees that promote things like club support, diversity, international relations, competitions, etc.

Current AHA Governing Committee Vice Chair, wacky experimenter, and all-around great guy Drew Beechum describes it as:

We’re the average homebrewers voice in the AHA. We help run a number of programs and can help push for new initiatives… GC members help choose the seminars for the [Homebrew Con] Conference and guide Zymurgy content. [We also] put together packets of club guidance, organize diversity efforts, all those surveys you see… and help with various state efforts aimed at homebrewers and cheerlead the BA’s state and federal efforts for craft brew.

What are your goals on the committee when elected?

To expand a bit on my election profile, what I am most interested in doing is using my experience as a web developer and blogger to help both the AHA and fellow homebrewers better utilize web technology to connect, educate, and share; especially within the context of providing resources for clubs. My dream is to create an environment where all club organizers and members can feel like they are part of a community much larger than their geography. I especially want every homebrewer to feel like joining a club is compelling and worthwhile and that if there is no existing club they have the resources to successfully start one.

My other big passion is as a funk-enthusiast, I would love to represent sour/funky brewers and help the AHA do a better job of promoting/understanding the sour/funky/wild community, especially in regards to competitions like the National Homebrew Competition. One of the biggest complaints I hear from members of funk-focused groups like Milk the Funk is that competition organizers just don’t understand them and it’s usually not worth submitting entries. Funky brews are often the most time consuming and obsessed-over, I want to be sure they get the respect and consideration they are deserving of.

Where can I see some of your other stuff to get to know you better?

The blog posts here are a great way to start, but I also recommend the following:

Experimental Brewing Podcast Episode #54 – My interview with Drew alongside Homebrewer of the Year Nick Corona.
My previous Homebrew Con presentations (navigate the year pulldowns on the page):
- 2015 – San Diego – Berliner and Beyond: Sour Mashing and Its Applications
- 2016 – Baltimore – Homebrew Bloggers Roundtable
- 2017 – Minneapolis – Lagers to Lambic: Hard Stuff the Easy Way
I frequently post in /r/homebrewing under username ‘KidMoxie’.
I tweet about beery stuff on Twitter at @FiveBlades.

I am humbled and honored to be considered for the opportunity to represent you, please do feel free to contact me here or on Twitter @FiveBlades with any questions or comments you might have. Cheers! 🍻

Vote Now!