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With growing challenges in the beer market and increasing competition from other drink sectors, many breweries are looking for innovative ways to leverage their taprooms and bring in new customers. For some breweries that means opening their spaces to the public earlier in the day.

Taprooms have long been community meeting places, and now some are choosing to welcome that community bright and early by using their buildings as coffee shops and all-day workspaces.

The Virginia Beer Company | Williamsburg, Va.

The Virginia Beer Company recently made the decision to launch a coffee shop and breakfast menu, opening early in the morning in hopes of attracting a working crowd.… Read the rest “Rise and Shine: Brewers Add Coffee & Workspaces”

By Julia Herz, American Homebrewers Association Executive Director

On December 7, 2023, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) turns 45. That’s a lot of beers since 1978. In four-and-a-half decades, the world has changed for the better because of the AHA’s existence, with homebrewers around the world setting the stage.

The AHA has fueled the craft beer movement and, even more relevant, catapulted the modern pastime of homebrewing. Yup, that’s what we did. In 1978, The New York Times published an article titled “Beer Is Most Popular of U.S. Bar Drinks”¹, but we know what a dismal time for beer it was.… Read the rest “American Homebrewers Association Turns 45”

Around a decade ago, Avrahom Pressburger started losing interest in domestic lager. The insurance broker swapped Budweiser for fragrant Blue Moon and seasonal beers from Sam Adams. He examined cans and bottles, looking beyond styles and ABV for a certified-kosher symbol.

Born into Orthodox Judaism in Brooklyn and now living in New York State’s Rockland County, Pressburger follows dietary guidelines that forbid mixing meat and dairy and mandate how foods are processed, produced, and prepared.

Oyster stouts were off the table. What about double IPAs? Or strawberry sour ales? Details on certified beers were scarce, so he crowd-sourced information from BeerAdvocate’s message boards and Facebook groups, eventually creating the website and Instagram account Kosher Craft Beer.… Read the rest “Keeping Kosher in Craft Beer”

[Above: Members of the Horsemen of the Hopocalypse donate to the Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, Texas. Image provided by the Horsemen of the Hopocalypse.]

This is an excerpt from the September/October 2023 Zymurgy magazine. Go to Zymurgy Online to access all magazine issues through the year 2000!

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By Kristen Kuchar

Each year, one homebrew club is awarded the Radegast Club of the Year, named for the Slavic god of hospitality and the creator of beer. The recipient is a club that does fantastic things in addition to brewing great beer, such as finding creative ways to promote the hobby and joys of homebrewing, engaging in philanthropy efforts, and focusing on the community.… Read the rest “2023 Radegast Club of the Year: Horseman of the Hopocalypse”

The following is a summary of the October 2023 meeting of your American Homebrewers Association Governing Committee (GC).

GC Members Present: Sandy Cockerham, Chris Hummert, Annie Johnson, Jill Marilley, Amy Martin, Gail Milburn, Melissa McCain, Doug Piper, Goose Steingass, Roxanne Westendorf.

AHA Staff: Julia Herz

Notes:

• Previous meeting notes review.
• GC Secretary – Update
  • Thanks to Goose Steingass as outgoing GC Secretary.
  • Chris Hummert has accepted the role of secretary.
• AHA Future Ad Hoc Group
  • Discussing the strategic vision, mission and AHA future planning.
  • Work will be presented at the Brewers Association December board meeting.

Celebrating Puerto Rican Homebrewed Beer

Puerto Rico is gearing up for an exciting day in December dedicated to the passion for beer, featuring a top-notch event that promises to delight craft beer enthusiasts and homebrewing aficionados. Join us to celebrate the art of Puerto Rican homebrewed beer with John Palmer at the PR Homebrew Fest 2023!

John Palmer in Puerto Rico: Author and Influencer in Brewing

John Palmer is a renowned author and expert in brewing, widely recognized for his influential book “How to Brew.” His expertise and knowledge in the field of homebrewing make him an invaluable resource for beer enthusiasts.… Read the rest “John Palmer in Puerto Rico for PR Homebrew Fest 2023”

In 1976, The Rolling Stones were the most sought-after live act on the planet. Their performances had surpassed “must-see” status, landing somewhere between “take out a second mortgage on your home to afford this concert” and “donate a kidney for quick cash.” If they were in town, you were either seeing them or writhing in FOMO as you spun “Exile on Main St.” in your apartment.

Massively hyped, much of the pressure for them to entertain, excite, and dazzle landed squarely on the behind-the-scenes shoulders of Johnny Starbuck, the Stones’ tried, trusted, and tested roadie.… Read the rest “Sympathy for the Cellar Person”

Beginning in January 2024, American Homebrewers Association membership cards will be mailed to annual, three-year, and lifetime members who live in the United States. To be included in the first mailing of membership cards, your membership must be valid through February 1, 2024.

Log in to view your expiration date, renew early, and enjoy a special gift!

Follow these 5 steps for logging into your member profile and opting in to be mailed a membership card:

1. From any page on HomebrewersAssociation.org, select Log In under Account in the top right corner.