Author Archives: cbanker

Queso Diego November Meeting Announcement

Our November meeting will be next Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., at AleSmith. Please bring something to share for the potluck, and don’t forget to bring a chair.

Our meeting topic will be:

How Microbes Influence the Flavor and Texture of Cheese: Choosing cultures for cheesemaking
by Curt Wittenberg (your Sister Noella)

This month’s presentation will review the many influences of bacteria and molds on the properties of cheese. In that context, Curt will review some of the many types microbes available to our members from the Library of Cheesemaking and what to expect when using them. Cheese samples will be shared during the presentation to illustrate some of the differences that can be expected in your cheesemaking.

We will also hold our board election at the meeting. We are still looking for nominees for Event Coordinator so let us know if you are interested. Lynda Juniper will be available to collect 2023 dues ($20 individual, $30 family).

Also as a reminder the holiday party will be on Tuesday, December 13. More information and directions to follow.

Hope to see you Tuesday!

Queso Diego October Meeting Announcement

MOVIE NIGHT at Queso Diego, October 18.
Potluck at 6:30, meeting at 7:00.

Our topic will be a bit different this month as we will be watching the Cheese Nun documentary. Here is a brief news item about the Cheese Nun: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-cheese-nun/ .

This thrilling documentary tells the story of a Benedictine nun who finds her passion in making cheese and earns a doctorate in microbiology along the way.

Mother Noella Marcellino has a wonderful story and we want to share it with the club.

Bring your popcorn, bring cheese, bring your habit.

We’ll be meeting in the back warehouse at AleSmith instead of our normal barrel room.
To get there go to the right of bar when you walk in, past the museum and through the doors.
Follow around to the left and you’ll find us. This is where we started meeting years ago.

Bring your chair, coat, and movie munchies. There might also be an outside door open to the right of the grain silos.

Queso Diego September Meeting Announcement

Queso Diego September Meeting
6:30 PM September 20, 2022
Barrel Room, AleSmith Brewing Company
9990 AleSmith Ct. San Diego 92026

Our feature presentation for the September meeting will be Cheeses of Mexico presented by Larry Stein

Please remember to bring a chair and something to share at the potluck. Hot or cold foods, cheese, non-alcoholic or homemade alcoholic beverages are all welcome. Please bring your food ready to serve with serving utensils if they are needed. Of course, many excellent beers are available at the AleSmith bar.

Queso Diego June Meeting Announcement

Raclette Dish

Our monthly Queso Diego meeting will be next Tuesday, 6/21 at AleSmith, 6:30 pm. Our feature this month is Raclette cheese thanks to a generous donation from one of the vendors at the Liquid City event. The club will be serving Raclette cheese with the usual accompaniments (bread, potatoes, gherkin pickles, etc.). Instead of the usual potluck, we recommend bringing salads or something else that would go well with cheese.

Don’t forget to bring a chair and hope to see you all next Tuesday.

Queso Diego April Grilled Cheese Meeting Announcement

Dear Queso Diegans,

Just a reminder that one of our most popular meetings of the year is coming up next Tuesday 4/19 – the Grilled Cheese meeting! Also a note about an upcoming event that might be of interest.

We will meet as usual at Alesmith Brewery, 9990 Alesmith Ct. off of Miramar Road. 6:30 p.m. Other than a few announcements we will jump right in to grilling sandwiches.

We ask that you bring ingredients and prep/cooking supplies to cook 2-4+ sandwiches. Cooks will be rotating, so that once you’ve finished grilling, please allow someone else to use your cooking space.

Cook 2-4 sandwiches and cut into 6+ pieces each, depending on the size/structure – You won’t be slaving over the stove all night, so don’t be afraid to jump in! The smaller you can cut them, the more people will be able to sample.

Please prep beforehand as much as possible (chopping, mixing, marinating) and bring extra – caramelized onions, roasted peppers, sliced cheeses, meats, sliced fruits/veggies, spices, etc.

Propane / butane cooking apparatus are required, as we do not have electrical outlets available. We need as many propane/butane stoves/grills as possible. We will have some tables for serving and other snacks, but you should plan on trying to bring your own table for prep. If you have a portable table, please bring it – we need as many surfaces as we can!

If you don’t plan to cook, please bring food to share or ingredients for the cooks to use. Non-members and Guests are allowed. We ask that non-members and guests consider joining. It’s only $20/year.

As a reminder, please bring a chair and we are welcome to bring homemade alcoholic beverages, nothing commercial per Alesmith’s license.

Also, the Liquid City cheese event is happening on Sunday, May 1. Queso Diegans are invited to the Industry Night at Alesmith on Saturday night, April 30. Please see Curt’s previous email for more information.