Guidelines & Rules of Conduct


Purpose

The club exists to promote the hobby of homebrewing, and to provide the following benefits for Club members:

  • Facilitate the production, evaluation, and appreciation of homebrewed beverages;
  • Provide opportunities for the advancement of brewing skills and knowledge among its members; and
  • Organize competitions, social events, and opportunities to interact with regional beer-centric establishments and other homebrewing organizations.


Affiliations

The Keystone Hops Homebrew Club is affiliated with Keystone Homebrew Supply, where it holds its monthly meetings, its annual homebrew competition, and certain other club events. The club is registered with the American Homebrewers Association.


Steering Committee

A Steering Committee formed by Keystone Homebrew Supply shall conduct the monthly business meetings and facilitate the activities of the Club.


Membership

There are two classifications of members:

  • Social Members may attend the Club’s monthly social meetings, they may participate in and volunteer for various club events, and they may represent themselves as Keystone Hops members. They are not entitled to special privileges or discounts that are reserved for Full Members. Social Membership is free and open to everyone of legal drinking age, as long as they follow these Guidelines & Rules of Conduct.
  • Full Members receive a membership card each calendar year, at a regularly scheduled social meeting, upon payment of dues as outlined herein. They are entitled to all the benefits of Social Membership. They are also invited to attend monthly business meetings and to vote on certain matters at those meetings. They will additionally receive certain exclusive benefits, some of which are described herein.


Dues

Dues will be set at $25 per annum per member. Except for each member's first year of Full Membership, annual dues may be reduced by credits earned through participation in Club events and activities during the prior calendar year. Qualifying activities and credits will be posted on the Club website prior to the January social meeting.

Full Members shall pay dues (cash or check only) at a regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Club. At that time they will be issued an official membership card (available starting January 2014), valid through February of the following calendar year. Checks should be made out to Keystone Homebrew Supply, and may be submitted in person or mailed to:

Attn: Keystone Hops
P.O. Box 426 Doylestown Rd.
Montgomeryville, PA 18936


Benefits of Full Membership

One of the primary benefits of membership in the Keystone Hops Homebrew Club is the opportunity to interact with fellow brewing enthusiasts, which is open to Social and Full Members alike. However, many of the Club's activities and resources require money, time, or effort, and so certain benefits are restricted to Full Members. The following list of some of these exclusive benefits is intended to be illustrative, and is not a guarantee of any particular benefit. Additional benefits may exist, and the following list may change from time to time.

  • The right to attend and be heard at the Club's monthly business meetings
  • First right to participate in Club activities with limited seating or availability
  • The ability to participate in certain Club activities for free, or at a reduced cost
Organizations that cooperate with the Club may offer additional benefits, such as the discount program offered by Keystone Homebrew Supply. In most cases, third parties will want to see proof of membership (i.e., a membership card), which will only be available to Full Members.


Membership Responsibilities and Code of Conduct

Membership in the Keystone Hops Homebrew Club is voluntary. All members are accountable for their own actions, and accept all responsibility for the consequences of those actions, including any consequences arising from the consumption of alcohol. Each member agrees to behave and drink responsibly at all Club events, and to indemnify and hold harmless the Keystone Hops and its members, and Keystone Homebrew Supply (including owners and employees), against any and all liability resulting from that member's actions.

Members will comply with the rules of Keystone Homebrew Supply or other host for a particular meeting or event, and will follow any instructions from its staff.

Members that show signs of intoxication or disorderly conduct may be required by any member of the Steering Committee or the staff of Keystone Homebrew Supply to leave the event, and may be subject to further action (including possible suspension or termination of membership) by the Steering Committee.

Members leaving a Club meeting or event shall not drive while intoxicated, and must arrange or accept arrangements for a designated driver or other safe transportation.