Club History

Our club was founded in October 2010 – by vote, we were named P.A.L.E or Plainfield Ale and Lager Enthusiasts. Below is a history of our club, major events, and milestones. We plan for continued growth and hope we have a long future ahead of us as a homebrew club.  In April 2013, we officially became the PALE Homebrew Club, a registered Illinois non-profit corporation.

Club Timeline and Important Dates:

2025

• January – website redesign
• January – PALE Tour of Whiskey Acres in DeKalb

2024

• September – Participate in Brew at the Bridge – Oswego IL
• October – Frank Juplo elected President
• October – PALE Chili Cook-off at Pollyanna – won by Teresa Crosson
• Decenber – Annual Holiday Christmas Party @ Werk Force Brewing Barrel Room

2023

• April- PALE Chili Cook-off at Pollyanna – won by John Lawlor
• September – Participate in Brew at the Bridge – Oswego IL
• October – Jason Lash re-elected President
• Decenber – Annual Holiday Christmas Party @ Werk Force Brewing Barrel Room (Santa took a hit)

2022

• October – Jason Lash elected President

2021

• recovering after COVID
• October – John Lawlor re-elected President

2020

• March – COVID
• October – John Lawlor elected President

2019

• March – Water Chemistry Tech Talk @ Hopvine Brewing
• April – 2nd Annual Chili Cook-off @ Pollyanna Brewing
• May – Big Brew Day – TBD
• November – Learn to Homebrew Day – TBD
• October – Steve Thanos re-elected as President
• December – Annual Holiday Party – TBD

2018

• May – Big Brew Day at Hopvine
• May – Morel Fest
• September – Brew at the Bridge in Oswego
• First PALE Monthly meeting at Werk Force Brewing
• October – Steve Thanos elected the next President of PALE
• December – Annual Winter Party held at Grande Park, release of PALE Barleywine

2017

• February 2nd at 7 pm at Nevin’s Brewing Co. in Plainfield.
• October – Michael Jacobs re-elected as President
• Feb 16 – Off Flavors Tasting Night

2016

• Jan. 16 – One & Done Festival at Nevin’s
• Feb. 27 – Naperville Winter Ale Fest.
• March 5 – Windy City Brew Ha Ha
• May 7 – Big Brew Day
• July 16 Naperville Ale Fest
• Sept 17 – Brew At The Bridge
• Oct 8 – MWBF – Back in Plainfield
• November – Elected new Officers. Michael Jacobs is president.
• Dec. 9 – PALE Christmas Party

2015

• January – Dues are reduced to $10 per year
• Jan 10 – The OneDer Beers beer festival at Nevin’s
• February 21 – Sours Bottle Share
• March 2015 – Club membership renewal – 155 registered members.
• March – 5th Anniversary Barrel fill with BrewWerks
• August – PALE table @ Midwest Brewers Fest in Willow Springs
• September – PALE table @ Brew at the Bridge in Oswego
• September – 1st ever PALE Camping trip with John Marlovits, John Lawlor, David Herrmann, and Dan Cooper in LaSalle IL.
• October – Annual elections, Michael Jacobs and Pat Elder elected to board positions. Rob Ruiz elected to director position. John Lawlor and Brian Phad re-elected.
• December – PALE 5th Anniversary Party – each member in good standing allotted a bottle of our Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. 84 bottles filled.

2014

• Jan 10 – Pipeworks Bottle Share
• March 2014 – Club membership renewal– 90 registered members
• March 15 – French Press Bottle Share
• May 10 – UKG/PALE Social event at Hopvine
• May 23 – Barley Wine Bottleshare
• August 18 – OctoberFest at Waa-Kee-Sha Park
• August 23 – Midwest Brewers Fest – A severe thunderstorm caused Plainfield police to shut down the festival for nearly two hours.
• November 1 – National Learn to Brew Day
• November 1st, 2012 – 2nd Club Elections for all positions. John Lawlor new President, Art Golk Vice President, Rob Ruiz Treasurer and Brian Phad Secretary.
• December 4 – Off-Flavor Seminar

2013

• February 2013 – Pete Rzeminski, by Board decision, is named Treasurer to replace Rod Wiberg who stepped down for personal reasons.
• March 2012 – Club membership renewal – 117 registered members.
• March 2013 – Club membership renewal – 128 registered members
• April 2013 – The club becomes a registered Illinois non-profit corporation under the name The PALE Homebrew Club.
• May 4, 2013 – Big Brew Day held at John Lawlor’s
• July 28, 2013 – 3rd Annual Summer Picnic Bash – Riverview Farmstead – about 30 attendees
• August 24, 2013 – 3rd Annual Midwest Brewers Fest
• September 5, 2013 – Last meeting of the 2013 Fiscal Year, nominations are taken for the elections in October.
• November – Darien Kruss is elected President, Vice President: Mike Zuro, Secretary: Ian Webster, Treasurer: Rob Ruiz
• Dues are initiated at $20 per year

2012

• January 5th, 2012 – PALE Project — first ever beer judging event, exclusive to Club members. Ray Krueger won the Porters competition.
• January 21st, 2012 – PALE Bowling Outing at Plainfield Lanes.
• April 5th, 2012 – due to Limestone moving locations, 1st club meeting held at Bolingbrook Golf Course.
• May 5th, 2012 – AHA Big Brew Day – at the Brew Corner / Alsip Nursery, Frankfort IL.
• July 14th, 2012 – 2nd Annual Summer Picnic Bash – Riverview Farmstead – about 45 attendees. Lots of good food, people and beer!
• August 25th, 2012 – 2nd Annual Midwest Brewers Fest – another smashing successful fest – supported by PALE in all volunteer positions – board, team leaders – team members and many day of fest volunteers.
• September 6th, 2012 – PALE meeting at Solemn Oath Brewery, Naperville IL. about 70 attendees.
• October 4th, 2012 – 1st meeting at Mickey O’Neill’s – possible new home.
• October 13th, 2012 – OctoberFest at Waa-Kee-Sha Park – small gathering due to weather. Dan Barton won People’s Choice Beer.
• November 1st, 2012 – 2nd Club Elections for all positions. Mike Zuro new President, Ed Malnar Vice President, Rod Wiberg Treasurer and Neil Hoffman Secretary.
• November 3rd, 2012 – AHA Learn to Homebrew Day at Brewmaster Ken McMullen’s house. 12-14 people attended, with 5 people brewing 40 gallons brewed.

2011

• January 22nd 2011 – Beer Sensory Class held at Limestone with Author Marty Nachel.
• March 2011 – Club hits 80+ registered members!
• May 7th, 2011 – Big Brew Day 2011 at Limestone. Homebrewing event at Limestone
• July 24th, 2011 – PALE Summer Picnic Bash — 60 people attended our 1st family picnic at Riverview Farmstead
• August 27th, 2011 – Midwest Brewers Fest – 2500+ ppl attended the event on a beautiful day in August, PALE was the host homebrew club and instrumental in volunteer support.
• September 2011 – Club hits 100+ registered members!
• November 3rd, 2011 – 1st Club Elections, President Chris Heinen and Officer Neil Hoffman.

2010

• December 11th 2010 – Club’s first event the 1st Limestone Winterfest – serving homebrew samples.
• September 2010 – Initial club meeting, mainly for organization and planning.
• October 14, 2010 – 25+ people attended the First Official PALE meeting. By a majority vote – PALE was decided upon as our official club name over 36 choices. First Club President Ed Malnar.
• November 6th 2010 – our 1st “Learn to Homebrew Day” at Limestone with about 6 brewers.
• December 2nd, 2010 – Logo contest – won by Jeff Gaither, slightly modified for printing.

PALE Homebrew Club – ByLaws – for some light reading while you are waiting for the boil to start … dont forget your 1st hop addition.