Urban Knaves of Grain (UKG) Club History
by Steve McKenna
Many club members have asked about the early days of the Urban Knaves of Grain. When was the club founded? Who served as presidents? When did our pub crawls and competitions start? Here, gathered from old newsletters, Internet sources, and the memories of individual members, is a short history of the UKG.
1991 and 1992:
Chris Campanelli teaches a homebrewing
class at College of DuPage. The first group of students
included Jay Kash, Jens Loeder, and Jim Hoeft. (Jay is still a
UKG member; Jens and Jim are now brewmasters at James
Page Brewery in Minneapolis.) The last class of each session
was a pub crawl.
1993:
The following posting appears in the Homebrew Digest
mailing list (an active listserver then, as now.):
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 93 21:45 CST
From: Contact info removed (chris campanelli)
Subject: new homebrew club forming
There's a new homebrewing club forming in the western suburbs of Chicago in DuPage County. The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 30th. For more info contact: Todd Williams contact info removed
-or
Chris Campanelli Contact info removed
And again:
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 93 21:14 CDT
From: Contact info removed (chris campanelli)
Subject: DuPage County Homebrew Club
There's a new homebrew club forming in the western suburbs of Chicago in DuPage County. The first meeting will be:
Date: Friday, April 30th
Location: My house
Time: 8pm
If you plan to attend, contact myself or Todd for the address.
If the weather is accommodating the meeting will be outside so if you're a potato you might want to bring a chair. If it's indoors, those of you who are allergic to cats, beware.
Chris Campanelli Contact info removed
Todd Williams contact info removed
The first meeting was held on April 30 at Chris' house in Villa Park, and the weather didn't cooperate, so we met in the basement. About 20 people attended, many of them former students of the COD course; several are also Chicago Beer Society members. Its success was evident in the next month's HBD posting:
Date: Fri, 21 May 93 23:42 CDT
From: Contact info removed (chris campanelli)
Subject: DuPage County homebrew mtg
This is another call for all homebrewers in the western suburbs of Chicago, in and around DuPage County. The first meeting was so way-cool groovy that we think we'll do it again. The next meeting will be on Friday, May 28th. Same bat time, same bat station: Contact info removed. Starts around 8pm.
Yes, it is the Friday of the holiday weekend. Guess this will separate the men (and woman) from the panty wastes.
These were the only two meetings ever advertised in the HBD. A naming contest led to the name Urban Knaves of Grain, coined by Frank Dobner at the 3rd or 4th meeting. Officers were selected informally, by acclamation; Todd Williams became the first president and Chris became the newsletter editor. After the first couple of meetings in Chris' basement, meetings began to rotate between members' houses. In the fall, meetings moved to the new Weinkeller Brewery in Westmont (not without some reluctance, as Chris and Todd had both served time as brewers at the original Weinkeller Brewery in Berwyn.) Todd dropped out of the club soon after, and Chris effectively held both officer positions.
1994:
The first bulk grain purchase is organized at Fall 1993.
Weinkeller meetings and conducted in January; we drive to
Wisconsin to pick up sacks of Belgian malt and divide it up in
the living room of John Isenhour's house in Aurora. Meetings
move to brand-new Taylor Brewery in Naperville soon after.
There had been trouble reserving Weinkeller's private room,
forcing the last few meetings to be held in the bar, and Taylor's
brewmaster and new club member Ed Bronson offered us the
use of Taylor's front room. At the same time, meetings change
from the last Friday of the month to the last Thursday. The
first UKG pub crawl is held in February, a well-attended bus
trip to Chicago Brewing Co., Sheffield's, Goose Island,
Quenchers, Great Beer Palace, and Gingerman, all in Chicago.
The first mention of the UKG's new name in the Homebrew
Digest is in April, as the report of the winners of the BOSS
Challenge, held March 26 in Lockport, shows medals awarded
to UKG members Mike Montgomery and Chuck Taylor. Mike later wins 1st place for pale ales in the HWBTA national competition. Our first formal election is held in June, as Frank
Dobner edges out Mike Montgomery for president in our most
hotly contested election ever. Andy Patrick is elected
newsletter editor. The second successful bus pub crawl is held
in October, visiting Golden Prairie Brewing, Chicago
Brewing, Goose Island, and Great Beer Palace in Chicago, and
nd Brixie's in Brookfield. Russ Aceto's maple ale takes 2 place
in the AHA's (American Homebrew Association) Specialty Quest Club-Only competition in
December, our first medal in a club-only. The club now has
73 members; annual dues are $5.
1995: Don Alton, wins a Brewer-for-a-Day raffle prize at the Dec. 1994 meeting, helps brew an oatmeal stout at Box Office Brewery in DeKalb. Andy Patrick quits the newsletter and club in February, and Chris Campanelli resumes the editor's job. Naperville liquor laws force us out of Taylor (homebrew is banned at the February meeting, the last one held there). The March meeting is held at Weinkeller, and in April we move to John's Buffet in Winfield, where we have been ever since. The UKG's first BJCP exam is held in April at Taylor, organized by Chris Campanelli and Frank Dobner. Jim and Jason Ebel, Curt Czapski, Kevin Johnson, Steve McKenna, and Steve Piderit remain in the club to this day out of about 8 people who took that exam. The first UKG constitution and by-laws are ratified in the spring. The 3 bus pub crawl is cancelled due to insufficient turnout to pay for the bus rental, but some diehard members go downtown and do the crawl on their own. In June, Mike Montgomery is elected president; Chris stays on as editor, but is finally relieved when Jeff Kainz volunteers for the job in August. Mike leads a style seminar on pale ales at Taylor, with 23 members attending. Mike's American pale ale wins Best of Show at the Winfield Rites of Spring Competition on June 5, sponsored by Beer in a Box homebrew shop; UKG members win 20 of 27 medals and sweep 4 of 9 categories. The first competition conducted by the UKG, the Famous Urban Knaves of Grain, is held on Oct. 21 in conjunction with Famous Liquors in Lombard. There were 77 entries, and Jay Kash's Weizen took Best of Show; Steve McKenna organized. Dues are raised to $10. The club now numbers 74 members. Tom and Luann Fitzpatrick win Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 1995.
1996:
The first UKG Train Crawl is inspired by the opening
of Founders Hill Brewery, completing a lineup of three
brewpubs near train stations on the Metra BNSF line. It is
held in February, with stops at Roundhouse/America's
Brewpub in Aurora, Taylor in Naperville, Founders Hill in
Downers Grove, and Palmer Place in LaGrange. The UKG
logo and first T-shirt are created around this time by Pete
Whyte, working from a photo of a mural that took up an entire
wall of the Heidelberg Rathskeller in Elmhurst. (This building
now houses McNally's, but the mural is gone). Our 2nd BJCP
exam is conducted, with 5 takers, including current members
Don Alton and Mark Knoebl (now brewing at New Glarus in
Wisconsin). Phil Gravel's California Common takes 1st place
in the final round of the AHA National Homebrew
Competition in New Orleans, our first NHC individual winner.
(Chicago Beer Society wins Homebrew Club of the Year at
this NHC.) Chris Campanelli is elected president, and Jeff
Kainz remains as newsletter editor. Jeff quits in midyear and
Chris takes on the editor job once again. The first UKG board
of directors is appointed. The club is incorporated with the
State of Illinois with the help of homebrewer/attorney Dave
Maki. We conduct the 2nd Winfield Beer in a Box
competition on Sept. 7 at John's Buffet (Steve McKenna
organizing); 81 entries; Marc Kullberg's Kriek wins Best of Show. The
4th bus pub crawl travels to the Siebel Institute and Chicago
Brewing in Chicago, and Pavicevich Brewing in Elmhurst.
Dues are raised to $12 per year.
1997:
The 2nd Train Crawl is held in February on the same
route as the first. Two Brothers Brewery opens. The 5th bus
pub crawl, on April 5, goes to Mickey Finn's (Libertyville),
Flatlanders (Lincolnshire), O'Grady's (Arlington Heights), and
Two Brothers (Warrenville). Mike Uchima's Dragon's Breath
IPA wins Founders Hill Brewery's IPA-only competition and,
with Mike's help, is brewed commercially at Founders Hill in
July. Marc Kullberg's altbier takes 2nd place in the Kölsch &
Alt category (behind a kölsch) in the NHC in Cleveland.
Darrell Proksa is elected president, and Tom Oelrich
VP/newsletter editor. Jason Ebel leads a style seminar on
weissbier at Two Brothers, our first event held there. We
conduct the 3rd Winfield BIAB competition (Mark Knoebl
organizing); out of 67 entries, Duffy Toler of Headhunters
wins Best of Show with a California Common. We host a
booth at a Winfield beer festival and serve homebrew. Our 6th
bus pub crawl, Sept. 13 to Chicago beer gardens, is poorly
attended. We conduct the AHA's Weiss is Nice club-only
competition in November at Two Brothers Brewery (Steve
McKenna organizing); out of 48 entries, Bill Aimonetti of the
Albuquerque Dukes of Ale wins Best of Show. A potluck
dinner follows, beginning the tradition that lives on with the
Drunk Monk Challenge. The December monthly meeting is
held at Lunar Brewing in Villa Park, beginning another
tradition.
1998:
The 3rd Train Crawl, Feb. 28 on the BNSF train line, once
again visits Two Brothers Roundhouse, Taylor Street Brewing, Founders Hill, and
Palmer Place, plus a new stop at Irish Times in Brookfield. At
the April meeting, we sample the results of the Yeast Common
Denominator, in which club members brewed the same cream
ale recipe using 11 different yeasts. First Big Brew, for
National Homebrew Day on May 2nd: club members brew
three batches of Barleywine outside Total Beverage in
Naperville, and conduct a homebrew vs. commercial beer
tasting inside. Our 3rd BJCP exam, on May 10, welcomes 10
new judges, including Shane and Laurel Coombs, John Mains,
and John Kleczewski. Our first Social Night is held in June, at
Palmer Place in LaGrange. Four UKG members win a total of
7 ribbons in the NHC (National Homebrew Competition) 1st Round. Darrell Proksa and Tom Oelrich are
reelected. Darrell takes on Treasurer duties as well as continuing as President. The 4th and last Winfield BIAB competition (this
time not managed by the UKG, but employing UKG judges)
occurs in September. The first annual cider run, to Plank Road
Orchards in Sycamore, is held on September 26. The
December monthly meeting is once again held at Lunar
Brewing.
1999:
The 4th Train Crawl on Feb. 13 visits the same familiar
BNSF line stops from Roundhouse in Aurora to Irish Times in
Brookfield. Our first signature homebrew competition, the
Drunk Monk Challenge, is held following a blizzard on March
6, with Shane Coombs organizing and Joe Formanek as judge
coordinator. Judging was conducted at Founders Hill and the
party afterwards was at Two Brothers Brewery. There were
224 entries. Shane's Flanders Brown wins Best of Show and
Mike Uchima's Dubbel wins Menace of the Monastery. Mike
Uchima once again wins Founders Hill's single-style
competition and brews his Apocalypse Alt there in April. At
the AHA National Homebrew Competition in Olathe, KS, we
tie for Homebrew Club of the Year with Oregon Brew Crew.
Eight club members win 17 ribbons in the 1st Round, and Jay
Kash's Maibock puts us over the top with a 1st place in the
Bock Club-Only competition. Our total of 77 points (64 - 1st Round, 6 - club-only, 7 - 2nd Round) sets an all-time record which is utterly demolished a year later. For the first time, we host a
hospitality suite at the National Homebrewers Conference.
Darrell Proksa and Tom Oelrich are reelected for their 3rd terms. We enjoy a
walking pub crawl in September, visiting Erik & Me,
McNally's, Billy Biru's, and Danny's in St. Charles. In
October, we unveil the results of the Hopsperiment: a dozen
UKG members brew the same pale ale using different hops.
Third December monthly meeting at Lunar Brewing. Joe Formanek wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 1999.
2000:
5th Train Crawl is held on Feb. 19, on the Metra
Electric line to Flossmoor Station in Flossmoor and Ida Noyes
Pub at the U. of Chicago. Also in February, Rich Janevicius,
winner of the MUGZ Land of the Muddy Waters competition
in Quad Cities, brews his Raspberry Wheat at Blue Cat
Brewpub in Rock Island. The 2nd Drunk Monk Challenge on
March 4 at Two Brothers (Steve McKenna organizing, Joe
Formanek again as judge coordinator) gets 276 entries. Pete
Kapusta and Steve Gryszinski of Silverado win Best of Show
with a Mead, and Mike Brennan of BOSS wins Menace of the
Monastery with a Dubbel. Despite winning 21 ribbons for 87
points in the 1st Round of NHC, followed by 6 ribbons and 27 points in
the 2nd Round, we finish 2nd for Homebrew Club of the Year at
the NHC in Livonia, MI, behind the Kansas City Biermeisters
who amassed a new record 136 points. But Joe Formanek
single-handedly scored 50 points and won the Ninkasi Award
for the highest point total of any brewer in the NHC. Shane
Coombs is elected president, with Mike Uchima VP/newsletter
editor. The UKG constitution is amended and the position of
treasurer is created, to be filled by Darrell Proksa. December's monthly meeting is held at Lunar Brewing for the 4th year in a
row.
2001:
The 6th Train Crawl is held Feb. 10 on the UP-West
line with stops at McNally's and Fitz's (Elmhurst), Lunar
Brewing (Villa Park), Glen Ellyn Brewing and Curly's (Glen
Ellyn), and John's Buffet (Winfield). Our 4th BJCP exam is
held Feb. 24, with 17 taking the exam. The 3rd Drunk Monk
Challenge is held on March 24 at Two Brothers (Joe Formanek
organizer, Steve McKenna judge coordinator). There are an
incredible 504 entries. Nick and Nancy Edgington of
B.E.E.R. win the beer Best of Show with a Dubbel; Bill
Aimonetti of Albuquerque Dukes of Ale wins mead/cider Best
of Show with a varietal Mead, and Mike Pelter of Duneland
Homebrewers Association wins Menace of the Monastery with
a Belgian Strong Golden Ale. In April, the UKG website moves
to hbd.org, and the UKG listserver debuts. Fourteen UKG
members win 28 ribbons and a total of 102 points in the 1st
Round of the AHA NHC, but we enter the 2nd Round trailing
QUAFF's 132 points. Joe Formanek wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2001.
Today, the UKG continues to meet regularly and boasts active membership numbers over 100. See our Meetings page for information about attending our next meeting.
Thanks go to Steve McKenna, Chris Campanelli, Frank Dobner, Darrell Proksa, Marc Kullberg, Joe Formanek, and Mike Uchima for their help in researching the club history from the beginning through 2001.
2002:
Joe Formanek wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2002. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2003:
UKG has five winners in the NHC Final Round, Chicago, IL... Joe Formanek wins Bronze in the Light Ale category, Silver in the India Pale Ale category, and Silver in the Brown Ale category; Rich Janevicius wins Silver in the Traditional Mead category; and Ed Seaman wins Gold in the Smoke-Flavored Beer category. Joe Formanek wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2003. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2004:
Kevin Spealman wins Gold in the Bitter & English Pale Ale category; Ted Grudzinski wins Gold in the Fruit Beer category; Joe Formanek wins Gold in the American Pale Ale category and Gold in the Traditional Mead category of the NHC Final Round, Las Vegas, NV and wins the 2004 NHC Meadmaker of the Year. Joe Formanek finishes 2004 by winning Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2004. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2005:
UKG has five winners in the NHC Final Round, Baltimore, MD... Rodney Kibzey wins Silver in the English Brown Ale category; Joe Formanek wins Gold in the Stout category, Bronze in the Strong Ale category, and Silver in the Other Mead category; and Ron Stazuk wins Gold in the Belgian Strong Ale category. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2006:
Joe Formanek wins Gold in the American Ale category, Gold in the Pilsner category and Silver in the Strong Ale category of the NHC Final Round, Orlando, FL and wins the 2006 NHC Ninkasi Award. Other UKG winners include Mike Uchima wins Bronze in the Amber Hybrid Beer category and Steve McKenna wins Bronze in the INdia Pale Ale (IPA) category. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2007:
UKG has four winners in the NHC Final Round, Denver, CO... Joe Formanek wins Gold in the English Pale Ale category; Rodney Kibzey wins Gold in the German Wheat and Rye Beer category; Ed Seaman wins Silver in the Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer category; and Shane Coombs wins Bronze in the Other Mead category. Joe Formanek wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2007. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2008:
UKG has four winners in the NHC Final Round, Cinncinati, OH... Joe Formanek wins Silver in the Pilsner category, Silver in the Scottish and Irish Ale category and Silver in the Stout category; and Rodney Kibzey wins Bronze in the English Brown Ale category. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2009:
Ed Seaman wins Bronze in the NHC Final Round, Oakland, CA in the English Pale Ale category. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2010:
Tom Fitzpatrick wins Silver in the NHC Final Round, Minneapolis, MN in the Traditional Mead category. Rodney Kibzey wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2010. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2011:
UKG has two winners in the NHC Final Round, San Diego, CA... Shane Coombs wins Gold in the Belgian and French Ale category and Matt Klausner takes Silver in the Fruit Beer category. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2012:
UKG Meetings are held at John's Buffet, Winfield. The Drunk Monk Challenge (DMC) lead organizer is Calvin Rowland. A new logo is created for the DMC to give it its own identity separate from the club identity. Woj's nephew's girlfiend, Melanie Cooper, creates the new cartoon monk design for the logo. The UKG Board of Directors consists of Luann Fitzpatrick, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Steve McKenna, Communications. UKG has three winners in the NHC Final Round, Seattle, WA... Ed Seaman wins Silver in the Dark Lager category; Robert "Bob" Kay wins Silver in the Bock category; and Matt Klausner takes Bronze in the English Brown Ale category. UKG takes 15th place as the AHA Club of the Year 2012. Our annual holiday party and last meeting of the year is held at Lunar Brewing, Villa Park. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2013:
UKG Meetings are held at John's Buffet, Winfield. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Matt Klausner. Tom Fitzpatrick, a longtime member of the club who held multiple positions over the years, passed away unexpectedly in early 2013 at the age of 53. Tom held the national title of Grand Master BJCP judge. Tom was also a finalist in the 2012 Samual Adams Longshot competition. Tom's presence, experience, and guidance is greatly missed in the club. The UKG Board of Directors for 2013 consists of Blake Williams, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Steve McKenna, Communications. Rodney Kibzey wins Bronze in the NHC Final Round, Philadelphia, PA in the German Wheat and Rye beer category and wins Silver in the Specialty Cider and Perry category. UKG is tied for 6th place as AHA Club of the Year 2013. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2014:
UKG Meetings are held at John's Buffet, Winfield. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Matt Klausner. The UKG Board of Directors consists of Blake Williams, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Steve McKenna, Communications. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2015:
UKG Meetings are held at John's Buffet, Winfield. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Matt Klausner with Andy Day as Assistant. The UKG Board of Directors consists of Blake Williams, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Steve McKenna, Communications. Joe Formanek wins Gold in the NHC Final Round, San Diego, CA in the India Pale Ale (IPA) category. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2016:
UKG Meetings are held at John's Buffet, Winfield. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Andy Day. The UKG Board of Directors consists of Chuck Fort, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Steve McKenna, Communications. Joe Formanek wins Bronze in the NHC Final Round, Baltimore, MD in the Fruit Mead category. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2017:
UKG Meetings are held at John's Buffet, Winfield, until John's closes permanently in December 2017. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Andy Day. The UKG Board of Directors updates with the election of Eileen Uchima, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications. Joe Formanek wins Bronze in the NHC Final Round, Minneapolis, MN in the Strong Stout category. In September 2017, Woj writes and sends out the new Knaves Knewsletter via Email. Woj becomes the Webmaster and the website gets a rewrite to freshen it up. Our annual holiday party and last meeting of the year is held at Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora. Jeff Landers wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2017. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2018:
UKG finds a new home for meetings at Alter Brewing, Downers Grove. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Andy Day. The UKG Board of Directors are all reelected and consist of Eileen Uchima, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications. Our annual holiday party and last meeting of the year is held at Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora. We have a 12 Days of Christmas Beer Exchange at the party. Jeff Landers wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2018. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2019:
UKG meetings are held at Alter Brewing, Downers Grove. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Andy Day with Jeff Landers as Assistant. The UKG Board of Directors are all reelected and consist of Eileen Uchima, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications. Joe Formanek wins Gold in the NHC Final Round, Providence, RI for Imperial Stout. Our annual holiday party and last meeting of the year is held at Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora. We have a 12 Days of Christmas Beer Exchange at the party. Jeff Landers wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2019. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2020:
UKG meetings are held at Alter Brewing, Downers Grove at the beginning of the year. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Jeff Landers. The world shuts down 3 days after thecompletion of the 2020 Drunk Monk Challenge Homebrew Competion in March due to the COVID-19 virus. The club comes to a standstill for awhile as the world sorts out how to live with the virus. The current UKG Board of Directors remain in their positions: Eileen Uchima, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications. In August, we stir from our cocoons and start virtual meetings via Zoom. Everyone sits in their own home sharing news of life continuing the club while communicating via Zoom video conferencing. We held no in-person holiday party this year but, a holiday beer exchange... 6-pack Brew Roulette... was held in Woj's garage mid-December, with the garage door open (for virus safety) and heaters on to keep somewhat warm. It was great to see people in-person again and share beer and comaraderie after so many months of seclusion. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2021:
The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Jeff Landers. The Drunk Monk Challenge (DMC) is held virtually due to the ongoing issue of the COVID-19 virus. All entries consist of 4 bottles of beer. Two bottles are used for first round judging and are distributed to judges who will each have a bottle at their home to be judged via video conference. The 3rd bottle is used for mini-BOS judged by a different team of judges. And, the final bottle is used for Best of Show judging. It's awkward working the whole competition from Jeff Lander's garage but we make it work. Even Best of Show judging is done at separate tables in Jeff's garage. The DMC crew put on a successful virtual DMC. In the Spring, we hold a virtual beer tasting event with the brewers from Elmhurst Brewiung. Everyone pre-buys their 4-packs and we all share and discuss them via Zoom video conferencing. The UKG Board of Directors are all reelected and consist of Eileen Uchima, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications. In June or July 2021, we start venturing carefully out of our homes again for in-person meetings. Alter Brewing no longer has a home for the club so, we become a traveling club until we find a new home. The first in-person meeting is held at Miskatonic Brewing, Darien. Our annual holiday party and last meeting of the year is held at Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora. Our social beer sharing activity at the holiday party is 6-pack Brew Roulette. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2022:
The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Jeff Landers with Dan Acheson as Assistant. The Drunk Monk Challenge goes back to being an in-person competition. Early in 2022, UKG finds a new home for our monthly meetings at Bubblehouse Brewing, Lisle. They are fairly centrally located in DuPage county with easy access from the highways. They have plenty of parking and welcome us with open arms. The UKG Board of Directors are all reelected and consist of Eileen Uchima, President; Darrell Proksa, Treasurer; and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications. Monks at Large volunteer board members include Steve McKenna, Mike Uchima, Tim Devitt (Social Events), Ray Nonnie (Tech Sessions), Tom Hayosh, and Dave Fetty. DMC Best of the Rest Coordinator - Noah Wojdak. Our annual holiday party and last meeting of the year is held at Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora. Our social beer sharing activity at the holiday party is 6-pack Brew Roulette. Dan Acheson wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2022. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2023:
UKG monthly meetings are held at Bubblehouse Brewing, Lisle. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Dan Acheson. The UKG Board of Directors are all reelected and consist of Eileen Uchima, President (7th term); Darrell Proksa, Treasurer (25th term); and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications (7th term). Monks at Large volunteer board members include Steve McKenna, Mike Uchima, Tim Devitt (Social Events), Ray Nonnie (Tech Sessions), Tom Hayosh, Dave Fetty, Kevin Drees, and Curt Czapski. DMC Best of the Rest Coordinator - Noah Wojdak. Kevin "Woj" Wojdak with co-brewer Noah Wojdak win a Bronze in NHC Final Round, San Diego, CA in the Euro Sour Ale category. Our annual holiday party and last meeting of the year is held at Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora. Our social beer sharing activity at the holiday party is 6-pack Brew Roulette. Dan Acheson wins Midwest Homebrewer of the Year 2023. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)
2024:
UKG monthly meetings are held at Bubblehouse Brewing, Lisle. The Drunk Monk Challenge lead organizer is Dan Acheson. In May 2024, a new mobile responsive website is created modernizing the look of the website and making it more usable on both desktop and mobile. The UKG Board of Directors are elected and a new President takes over the reins of the club, Dan Acheson, as Eileen Uchima steps down. Darrell Proksa, Treasurer (26th term) and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak, Communications (8th term) are reelected and remain in their positions. Monks at Large volunteer board members include Steve McKenna, Mike Uchima, Tim Devitt (Social Events), Ray Nonnie (Tech Sessions), Tom Hayosh, Dave Fetty, Kevin Drees, and Mica Zaragoza. DMC Best of the Rest Coordinator - Noah Wojdak and Woj. Three Knaves win ribbons at the first round NHC Chicago Regional competition... Dan Acheson, Joe Skiles, and Kevin "Woj" Wojdak. (History gathered by Kevin "Woj" Wojdak)