Foothills Fermentation Club meets for beer, food, and fun

What do sauerkraut, beer, and sourdough crackers have in common? They can all be produced through fermentation, and each of the items was on the table at a recent gathering of the Foothills Fermentation Club when they met at Sidetracked Brewery in Morganton.

The group, which collectively has more than 50 years of brewing experience, gathers monthly to share recipes, food, and drink. There’s also plenty of storytelling, small talk and laughter when the friends get together.

Organizer Stephen Merrill said while much of the conversation centers around alcohol, members also discuss experimentation with other types of fermented products.

“This is not just about beer,” Merrill said. “When we formed the group, we knew, for it to grow and sustain, we had to look at fermentation as a broad subject, including food, wine, and mead, as well as home brewing.”

The club organized in the summer of 2022 and averages 7-12 attendees per meeting. At last month’s gathering, about 10 members showed up to talk, drink, and share ideas and information.

In addition to their monthly gathering, Merrill said smaller groups sometimes meet at members’ homes to collaborate on a project.

“Little splinter groups may get together to do a brew and try something different,” he said.

The Foothills Fermenters Club Facebook page displays a variety of products produced by members, including brussel kraut, curried zucchini pickles, kombucha, and preserved lemons. The friends proudly share their latest creations and even bring accompaniments for their fermented products.

Merrill enjoys working with sourdough products and often brings his handiwork to meetings. “Your brisket on sourdough bruschetta was SO good Stephen,” FFC member Carol Perkowski wrote on the group’s Facebook page. “Thank you for bringing it!”

The group is a hobby club. They welcome anyone who might be interested in learning about the fermentation process. “You don’t have to be a brewer,” Merrill said. “Anyone is welcome to join.”

The club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Sidetracked Brewery, 609 S. Green St., Morganton.