BLOOMINGTON - The Association of Bloomington-Normal Brewers - with a paying membership nearing 50 at its monthly meetings - is looking for new members.

The club for homebrewers has been around since 1989, said member Fred Morissette of Normal. Besides getting to show off their brews at area Jaycees events, members also are competing in a homebrewing competition at Destihl Restaurant and Brew Works, the five-month-old craft brewery in Normal.

The winner will get their brew crafted at Destihl, he said.

The "Abnormal Brewers" meet the second Monday of each month at Fat Jack's, 511 N. Main St., Bloomington. The next meeting is 7:30 p.m. May 12.

A typical meeting will focus on a particular style of beer, such as a porter, and the group will discuss several different versions of it that members have made and brought in. Tips and advice are exchanged, and technical guidance is even shared, such as how to convert a keg to a become a brew kettle.

Morissette said the group is always looking for new members and that's it not hard to get on board and get brewing.

"What's really neat is when new people show up because it gets the old (members) going," Morissette said.

More information about joining the group can be found at www.abnormalbrewers.org or by calling (309) 531-8291.