This sounds like something some of us could definitely enter.  Entry deadline is Feb 5.  It's in Milwaukee.

2012 Midwinter Home Brew Competition

Phone Number: (262) 366-1474
Location: Milwaukee, WI, US
Contact Email: brewmaster@bbbrew.com
Organizer: Bruce Buerger

Came across this short, but interesting article on how British Spitfire fighter planes were used to carry beer to front line troops during WWII.  External fuel tanks were converted to carry beer and it was designated Mod XXX.  

http://ghostgrey.gaetanmarie.com/articles/2010/Modification%20XXX/Modification%20XXX%20-%20Beer-carrying%20Spitfires.htm

I had some ideas to make a wee bit of money for the club but I don't know how to execute them so I'm throwing the ideas out there to the more artsy-crafsty members of CHAOS. Two things were going through my mind: (1) What do we have a constant free supply of that we could somehow turn into our gain? (2) How can we use the byproducts of our brewing or drinking labors (e.g., spent grain; bottle caps)?

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be buying myself some hops in the next few days.  For anyone who hasn't taken a look at Farmhouse before, they carry the best available prices for hops that any of us have found and John is a standup guy that has been by the brewhouse to hang before.  Those drawing up recipes for barrels should consider purchasing their hops here in bulk and selling them out to each participant.  It saves money in the long run.  We'll also save on shipping this way.  I'm pretty sure John gives discounts based on amounts ordered as well.

Two of our members share a brithday today.

Happy birthday Kelli and Niilo!

So in my quest for cheap but good booze and beer stores that are not Binny's, I have found a few here on the Southside... Feel free to add your own.

http://kenwoodliquors.com/specials.php

Kenwood has 2 locations, 107th and Cicero and 88th and Blue Island. This place has an awesome beer selection and is cheaper than Costco

Town and Country Liquors

2944 W. 47th St.

This is my go to place for hard to find Polish and Lithuanian hard booze. Plus it has a pretty decent beer selection as well...

lets help chicago become #1

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45826618/ns/local_news-chicago_il/

Any of the alchemists going to be around and available to open the brewhaus on either of these days? Very flexible on the timing since I have both days off, and probably not physically available until noon on 1/1 :)

anyone have any favorite christmas beers?

Just stumbled upon this event while browsing HB talk.

http://www.chicagobeergeeks.com/ai1ec_event/the-dark-night-2011-acre-restaurant/?instance_id=278

I'm working nights, so I cannot make it, but this sounds pretty awesome and felt obligated to pass it on. Cheers!