Editor’s Note: Only on Coronado… On a magnificent March afternoon in 2004, the Island Beer Club (IBC) was founded. Jeff “Bones” Wilkens, John “Cruncher” Muncy, Wayne “Big Oly” Oldendorph and John “Old Doc” Morton decided to sample hand-crafted, full-bodied beers from local micro breweries in the San Diego, California, area. After multiple thirst-quenching stops, our boys ended up at the Ballast Point Brewing Company near the University of San Diego campus. It was there that a kegerator, on display for sale, caught the guys’ interest. The thought emerged Wouldn’t it be cool if we could enjoy a cold, hand-crafted, micro-brewed beer without the hassle of traveling off of the “Rock?” Since great ideas require intense thought and discussion, our brew crew adjourned to the VFW bar in Coronado, CA for further liquid refreshment. At the “V” the team agreed to form a beer club. Bones would be the “capital” man–he’d purchase a kegerator and allow his garage to be used for micro brew-beer-sampling sessions. Other club members would purchase kegs of beer, as required. Having established the basic charter for the club, the guys then adjourned to the Little Club bar, in Coronado, to celebrate their brilliant thoughts and begin the membership campaign. Being a man of action, Bones purchased the kegerator just a few days later. And, on Monday, March 22, 2004, the first keg, Ballast Point Pale Ale, was delivered. Shortly thereafter our fifth Founder, Rob “Deadwood” Crenshaw joined in on the afternoon beer sampling sessions for Coronado’s beer aficionados. Meeting at 4 pm, the five grew fond of watching Jerry Springer (not much else on the tube at that time) and discussing the happenings in the universe. It was here that the boys developed the IBC motto–“More Time than Money”– to reflect the retired status of most of the Beer Club’s stately members. The founders also developed the club’s membership requirement: You buy a keg of hand-crafted beer and you are a member. About ten months into our new Club activities, we found that we needed an upgrade. We needed to solve a problem for Jeff’s spousal unit, Loie. All this time from inception, club members were allowed to visit the restroom facilities in the house… Unfortunately, those waiting outside for the facility to “clear” would relieve themselves in Loie’s garden… This was intolerable. Being engineers and problem solvers, the membership jumped on the opportunity to FIX this problem… We looked for sources of urinals in the San Diego area… both used and new. We found that ALL of the used urinals throughout San Diego county were sent south to Tijuana, so none were available locally. Finally, after a couple of months of searching, our Northern California Founder, John Muncy, found an acceptable urinal in San Francisco. The unit was bought, crated and shipped in early March of 2005, allowing the Club to have the urinal installed and operational, in time for our first anniversary, 22 Mar 05. In July of 2005, while on a non-Beer Club outing… golfing with his Thurs golf buddies, Mike Herlihy was served warm, aromatic… freshly popped pop corn at the 19th Hole at the Sea N Air Golf Course… Sharp to snap at an opportunity and to fill a need at the Club House, he went home that night and purchased a commercial popper online… The popper was officially inaugurated on 1 Aug 05 (picture 2). Always alert and “forward observant” (looking to the future), Bones purchased the domain name, islandbeerclub.com. He knew that it might be worthwhile, but he had no idea what to do with it or how it would be helpful… so we sat on it until July of 2006. At this point Crenny had gained some experience in website development and was hosting the website for the Sea N Air Men’s Golf Club… That was all we needed. A few pages were developed and the IBC website was officially published on 30 July 2006. Since then it has grown to what it is today. Signage plays a big part at the Island Beer Club… On 1 Aug 06 our alley became “Beer Belly Blvd.” On 29 Aug 07 the Island Beer Club received it’s self imposed, official brass plaque designation with a permanent marker. AND, on 17 Oct 07, John Clampitt delivered and installed a one of a kind, kiln fired tile historical marker, designed and totally handcrafted by himself… (see the last three pictures on the right). As part of our community outreach program, the club loans one of our two kegerators to members, area neighbors and friends in need of a convenient, adult-beverage-serving device at parties and other events. So now the club has a corollary requirement: You provide the beer, we provide the kegerator… and the IBC gets the leftovers when the kegerator returns to the clubhouse… The IBC meets every Wednesday from 4 pm to 6 pm in the alley (Beer Belly Blvd) on J Avenue in Coronado (the Rock). We currently comprise 35 members. Ladies are always welcome… Please join us.
