The challenging year of 2020 is finally over, and we have a new, and I am hoping, brighter year ahead. Many of us have missed the good times and camaraderie that come with seeing each other and sharing stories at our “beer show” gatherings. Happily, there were a few outdoor events that were safely held this Fall. It is my strong hope that we will be able to resume a more normal schedule, and, importantly, hold our NABA 50th Convention in Milwaukee, from July 28th-31st!

NABA Bats 1000

Now for some good news about 2020. We reached our membership goal by exceeding 1000 members! This is truly a revitalized organization with a talented and energetic Board of Directors who are focused on accomplishment. For perspective, we are now back at the membership levels we hit during our “heyday” 20+ years ago and have increased by +48% in the past 5 years.

The Handsome Waiter in the Heartland is joined by a host of breweriana collectors at the IBC Chapter show in Indianapolis, IN on October 31, 2020. From left: Jim TenEyck, Greg Gerke, Todd Morton, Don Hardy (BCCA VP), Beer Dave Gausepohl, Clayton Emery, Rick Natter, NABA and IBC Chapter President John Ferguson, Carey Williams, and Doug Groth.

This Magazine

There is no doubt that a big part of our club’s vitality is this magazine, where our members can contribute. And I am happy to say that you have been, in droves. In the Fall, we did a special 80-page issue, up from our usual 64-page publication, which itself had been increased from 48 pages as of Spring, 2019. Your tremendous contributions to this Winter issue quite literally forced us to make the investment to again extend this issue to 80 pages.

Amazingly once again, more than 100 members were involved in creating this issue and the interest and enthusiasm for this publication continues to grow. As usual, we have first-time authors, like Rusty Long, Ken Jones, Ben Kadow, and Allen Kirgan, as well as many members who have contributed again and again. Got an idea for an article? Just reach out to our Editorial Director, Ken Quaas, at Ken@consumertruth.com. We make the whole process easy!

NABA 2021 Convention

The 2021 Convention marks our 50th, and we will be celebrating where it all began — in Milwaukee. Our meeting will be at the recently renovated Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee/ Waukesha, which has an ideal set-up and where we successfully held two prior conventions (1996 and 2004). We sent out an email blast to the membership in the Fall about registering for the convention and the response has been terrific. Eighty percent of the rooms we reserved are already taken and we are requesting more as we expect a sellout. Please see the info on page 55 and make your reservations today. This 50th Convention is truly an event you won’t want to miss, so mark your calendars now for July 28th-31st.

Local chapters

Our 44 chapters—and we will be adding more in 2021—are the vitality of this organization and our hobby. I realize this, being very involved in the IBC Chapter here in Indiana. NABA’s aim is to support our chapters wherever and whenever we can. We will list your shows in the events page of this magazine, promote them on our highly active Facebook page, and feature you on our revamped website—all at no cost. Please reach out to me or our Chapter Liaison, Darla Long at bluffcitybrews9@gmail.com when we can help your chapter.

I hope you stay in good health, and to once again see you at a show in 2021.

Cheers!

Fergkate@comcast.net

The Handsome Waiter out West, at the Western Regional Show in Oakland, CA on November 14, 2020. Pictured, safely masked are from left, NABA Board Member Mike Michalik, NABA Vice President Ken Quaas, and NABA members Keith Kerschner (BCCA Presi ent), Charlie Smith, and Ken Harootunian, who did a tremendous job organizing the show’s events.