Rick Stidham and Akasha Brewing Company at the November 8 FOSSILS meeting.

Rick Stidham from Akasha Brewing Company will be the guest speaker at the November 8 FOSSILS meeting.

For the uninitiated, that's Fermenters of Special Southern Indiana Libations Society, the local homebrewing club, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in September.

Rick will be bringing Akasha beers and leading a "guided sampling of his delicious creations,created with the help of his talented co-brewer, Matt Meurer).

 Guests are welcome, and it's fine chance to learn what FOSSILS is all about, in addition to meeting Rick.

The meeting is on Sunday, November 8, from 6:00 p.m. through 8:30 p.m., and will be held at the New Albanian Brewing Company's original Pizzeria & Public House location at 3312 Plaza Dr. in New Albany, Indiana.

Porter Competition and Craft Raffle on the agenda for the Nov. 8 FOSSILS meeting.

The year 2008 marks the 18th anniversary of the Fermenters of Special Southern Indiana Libations Society (FOSSILS) homebrewing and beer appreciation club. The first meeting in September, 1990, was attended by seven beer drinkers, who've since been venerated as founders, although the heroic Mt. Rushmore-style statuary has yet to be sculpted on Floyds Knobs.

That's right ... I was one of them, and proud of it.

The next club meeting is Saturday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Prost, the special events wing of the New Albanian Brewing Company. On the agenda is the annual FOSSILS Porter Competition (follow the link for details). Note that coordinator Ed Tash will be at the Public House to collect entries on Thursday, Nov. 6. If you have questions, contact Ed.

Also on tap for the evening is the 2008 FOSSILS Craft Raffle, as explained by Ed Needham, FOSSILS President of Vice:

The traditional craft raffle for the November FOSSILS meeting will have 'only' items made by members. The items can be anything, like homebrew, homemade wine, cider, (even a little shine if you got it).

The items do not have to be beer or homebrew related. Home canned jams or jellies, anything you have made yourself and want to enter will be fine. The goal is to see what kind of talent and creativity the members have, and to raise money for the FOSSILS activities the coming year. I'll be bringing a couple bags of my homeroasted coffee to raffle. Please put your names on the items you bring and add a little note if you feel a description is necessary.

Let's have some fun with this and cheer on the lucky people who walk away with the handmade items representing the talents of our club!

October FOSSILS meeting preview: Brew-in and officer elections on October 18.

The FOSSILS homebrewing and beer appreciation club has moved its next meeting to Saturday, October 18. Here is information on the meeting, brew-in and election of officers on the 18th at Riley Ridge.

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I just wanted to remind you to mark your calendars for the brew-in. We will have signs for where to park. John will make an Oktoberfest beer for the class demonstration, and there will be a 10% discount on all beer kits for this day only.

Come meet the FOSSILS group and other all-grain brewers. There will be snacks and food, so come enjoy the day. The brew-in and class starts at 10 a.m., with the FOSSILS meeting from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to cast your vote for new officers. Feel free to come and go as you please.

Enjoy the fall weather and happy brewing!

Becky Riley
Riley Ridge Supplies LLC
6335 Riley Ridge Road
Lanesville, Indiana, 47136

Phone: 812-952-2121

Driving directions to 6335 Riley Ridge Rd, Lanesville, IN 47136, from Interstate 265:

11.7 mi – about 20 mins … New Albany, IN 47150

1. Head west on I-265 to I-64
2. Take exit to I-64 W toward St Louis 0.5 mi
3. Merge onto I-64 W 3.2 mi
4. Take Georgetown exit 118 0.3 mi
5. Continue straight 36 ft (funny one Google!)
6. Turn left at IN-64/State Rd 62
7. Continue on IN-62 1.4 mi
8. Bear to left onto IN-11 1.5 mi
9. Turn left at Riley Ridge Rd 0.5 mi
Destination will be on the right

6335 Riley Ridge Rd., Lanesville, IN 47136