By Kathy Thompson

Dennis started brewing in 1997 with his friends, Mike and Suzanne Carroll. Mike and Suzanne introduce Dennis to Hop Barley & the Alers, as well. He has been a member since 1998. His interest in brewing was peaked when he helped Mike and Suzanne brew a mead for their wedding in 1998. Since 1998 Dennis has won 10 awards for his meads and 6 for his beers. One of those awards was with a recipe Mike created. Mike wouldn’t have shared this recipe to Dennis if he didn’t feel confident in Dennis’ brewing abilities. After all, he did train him! Check out the recipe for “Scotty Had It Comin’ on the HBA website!

Today I brewed with Dennis and Mike Carroll. Dennis brewed a Rye Bock, while Mike brewed a red beer. After years (days?), of research Dennis came up with this recipe for his Rye Bock using past issues of Zymurgy Magazine, and personal experience. You can talk to Dennis about this in further detail. Mike thinks the best beer Dennis ever brewed was the “Scotty had it comin”. Of course, you can always ask Dennis about a Tripel he made with Roger Halperin and Mike. Remember to ask him how he came up with the name, “Hot Pants Tripel”. All I can say is, he now knows how to “stop, drop and roll”! Dennis is also an apprentice BJCP judge. In 2000, he took the test and plans to take it again to become a “full” BJCP judge. If you’re like Dennis you just go down and take the test. After all he’d had a beer or two and was a steward for the Dredhop once or twice. In order to become a BJCP judge, you just need $50 and four hours to spend tasting on demand, and answering essay questions.

Currently, Dennis is in the process of creating a ten gallon brew system. For his first brew, he plans to brew another award winning Barleywine. His favorite Barleywine is Thomas Harding. He’s made two Barleywines using the theme of “Where the Wild Things Are” as a label. One was an award winner. Dennis is wealth of knowledge. Just ask him for assistance. He’d be glad to help.