On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the American Homebrewers Association® (AHA) gathered more than 1,000 members at the 46th Homebrew Con in Asheville, N.C., for an update on your national association’s first year as an independent nonprofit and a look at what lies ahead.
Homebrew Con sold out before the conference was over, bringing together 1,141 homebrewers, speakers, judges, stewards, volunteers, and attendees, proving that homebrewing is alive and well.
The message was simple: The AHA is building for the future; our new member leaders are learning from and refining what we do today to guide what comes next.
One year ago, the AHA began operating independently with its own board of directors, finances, committees, and a new vision, mission, and strategic priorities. While the transition has brought new responsibilities, it has also created new opportunities to shape the future of homebrewing around members’ needs.
A Strong Foundation
Throughout the past year, volunteer leaders, nine committees, staff, clubs, and members have worked together to build the foundation of an independent organization.
Highlights include:
- Bringing back Homebrew Con (HBC), after a pause since 2024, as the world’s largest annual gathering for homebrewers;
- Conducting the 48th National Homebrew Competition with First Round judging in nine U.S. states and Final Round judging during HBC;
- Expanding educational programming through Zymurgy Live, new AHA Happy Hours, and more;
- Launching AHA Office Hours to strengthen club leadership and collaboration;
- Launching the AHA Assistant Brewer AI-powered answer engine;
- Advancing data-informed decision making, including the creation of a new AHA Data Task Force; and
- Continuing publication of Zymurgy®, the world’s only remaining print homebrewing magazine.
These efforts reflect a larger goal: ensuring that the AHA remains the world’s leading homebrewing organization while continuing to evolve for future generations of brewers.
Members Remain the Foundation
The AHA is primarily supported by membership dues, participation in Homebrew Con and the National Homebrew Competition, sponsorships, and grants and donations via the AHA’s newly created 501(c)(3) supporting nonprofit: the A-Ha Foundation.
Our members remain the foundation of everything we do.
Approximately 70% of AHA resources directly support member-facing programs, publications, events, competitions, education, and community engagement.
As a member-supported organization, every membership renewal, event registration, volunteer hour, and recommendation to a fellow brewer helps strengthen the association’s future.
What Else Has the AHA Been Brewing?
- Homebrew Con 2026 sold out, welcoming 1,142 attendees to Asheville!
- Homebrew Con will return in 2027. While the location has not yet been announced, planning is already underway for a July conference. The event will continue to be centered on community, education, camaraderie, and celebrating the hobby we all love.
- National Homebrew Competition entry fees were reduced, from a single $ 29 entry fee to a new structure of $ 19 for the First Round, with an additional $ 10 only for entries advancing to the Final Round.
- Member resources are being enhanced, including improvements to the homebrew club directory and retail supply shop directory for better searchability and usability.
- Member Deals are being refreshed, with a focus on securing deeper discounts and greater value for AHA members.
- Volunteer leadership opportunities are expanding. The Data Task Force and Homebrew Con Committee are actively recruiting members now, while additional committee recruitment will begin later this year.
- The AHA Board of Directors approved and published a new advocacy resolution: Developing Legal Shipping Pathways for Homebrew Competitions.
- Membership growth remains a priority. The AHA is working to strengthen partnerships with homebrew clubs and local homebrew supply shops while exploring chapter and affiliate models for clubs seeking a deeper connection with the AHA and additional services from their national homebrewing organization.
Looking Ahead
The AHA Board of Directors and committees are focused on the following 2026 priorities:
- Association sustainability
- Revamping membership benefits
- Creating a marketing strategy
- Executing Homebrew Con and National Homebrew Competition
- Growing membership via clubs and shops
- Seating the first member-elected AHA Board
- Strengthening committees
The goal is not to simply maintain what exists today. The goal is to create an AHA that serves homebrewers even better tomorrow.
Protecting What Members Love While Building What’s Next
One topic discussed during the gathering was the future of Zymurgy magazine. Beginning with the next publication cycle, Zymurgy will move to a quarterly schedule. This change comes at a time when nearly every other print homebrewing publication has either ceased publication or moved entirely to digital formats.
Today, Zymurgy remains the only dedicated print homebrewing magazine in the world.
The AHA remains committed to providing both print and digital access as part of membership. Moving to a quarterly schedule allows us to focus on larger, more impactful issues while also investing in new member benefits and keeping membership dues stable. We are not choosing between print and innovation. We are preserving the world’s last print homebrewing magazine while investing in the next generation of member benefits.
Launched: AHA Assistant Brewer
This AI-powered answer engine leverages decades of AHA knowledge, including Zymurgy content, Homebrew Con seminars, competition resources, website content, and more. The goal is simple. Help members get answers, solve brewing challenges, and learn new skills faster than ever before.
Members will also have an opportunity to help shape the project. The AHA plans to launch a community contest to help name the Assistant Brewer and design its logo. Stay tuned for a call for submissions.
How You Can Help
The future of the AHA is not in the hands of staff or board members alone. It’s in the hands of homebrewers. You can help by:
- Renewing your membership
- Encouraging fellow brewers to join
- Entering and/or volunteering for the National Homebrew Competition
- Participating in Homebrew Con
- Supporting your local homebrew club
- Volunteering with an AHA committee or program
- Sharing the value of the AHA with others
- Following the AHA on social media @homebrewassoc (Facebook and Instagram)
- Pitching stories and submitting your photos for Zymurgy Magazine
- Engaging with and using the AHA Forum (one of the longest-running online homebrewing communities in the world)
Every new member strengthens the voice, resources, and future of the homebrewing community. Thank You.
And…independence was not the finish line. It’s the beginning of the future of this generational, member-built association.
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