By Chris Williams, Competition Director

We have an exciting update for the 2023 National Homebrew Competition (NHC).

The American Homebrewers Association’s goal is to host a world-class homebrewing competition that continually strives to improve the entrant experience.

Based on member feedback, the competition will return to first-round judging sites in regional locations across the United States in the spring.

Final round judging will take place during the week of Homebrew Con June 22-24, 2023, in San Diego, CA.

Overview of 2023 National Homebrew Competition

• Registration opens January 24, 2023, at which time entrants will register their entries and select a first-round judging site.

As if the countless American IPA iterations were not enough to satiate a hophead’s palate, a new one—dubbed Cold IPA—lingers bitterly on the horizon. And no, Reddit, it’s not just a marketing ploy.

“Clunky” doesn’t readily come to mind as a beer descriptor, but that ungainly word may be the reason the world has yet another IPA in its clutches. It’s how the brewmaster of Wayfinder Beer, Kevin Davey, feels about International Pale Lagers (IPL)—specifically, that lager yeast strains fermented at cooler temperatures emit flavors and aromas that don’t jibe with loads of American hops.… Read the rest “Is Cold IPA Really a New Beer Style (and Does that Even Matter)?”

The annual celebration of homebrewing invites beer lovers worldwide to try their skills at a rewarding and delicious hobby

Boulder, Colo. — In recognition of the 24th annual Learn to Homebrew Day on November 5, the American Homebrewers Association® (AHA) invites all craft beer and fermentation fans to join the global community of homebrewing hobbyists. Homebrewers, whether experienced or first-timers, are encouraged to pledge to brew their own beer and welcome those curious about the craft to experiment with their first batches of homebrew.

Since 1999, the American Homebrewers Association has gathered tens of thousands of home fermentation hobbyists on the first Saturday in November to celebrate the hobby and inspire newcomers.… Read the rest “Brew It Yourself: Learn to Homebrew Day Set for November 5”

Glasses coming off shelves on their own. The sound of whistling when no one is around. Unexplained figures in the dark. Kegs moving and found unexpectedly in unusual places.

These occurrences and more have been reported at various haunted breweries across the country. If you believe in all things paranormal, visit one of these breweries for your next pint of beer.

Dark tourism has been a popular sensation for ages, usually spiking in the month of October right before Halloween. Travelers flock to locations with haunted histories, longing to experience some paranormal activity for themselves.… Read the rest “Enjoy Both Sips & Spooks at these Haunted Breweries”

Registration for the annual event closes November 4

What

Back after a two-year hiatus, the Hill Staff Homebrew Competition, hosted by the American Homebrewers Association® (AHA), returns to celebrate the unity, community, and bipartisan nature of craft beer on Capitol Hill.

Individuals and teams of congressional legislative staff and federal employees are encouraged to enter for a chance to win bragging rights and will have their name(s) engraved onto the Capitol Hill Staff Homebrew Competition Trophy, which they may keep for the span of one year.

The number of entries is limited to 50, so sign up today to reserve your spot.… Read the rest “American Homebrewers Association Accepting Entries for 2022 ‘Hill Staff Homebrew Competition’”

Washington, D.C., might be known for its politics, but locals know it has a strong craft beer scene. In May 2022, the city gained its first beer trail. The trail’s success shows how breweries and bars can partner with other organizations to create a destination and drive business.

Recognizing an Opportunity

In Summer 2021, metrobar partners and owners Jesse B. Rauch and John K. Groth noticed groups were arriving at the bar via the city’s Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), an eight-mile-long paved trail for bicycles, pedestrians, and scooters. Groups were navigating the MBT for their own beer crawl—enjoying the trail and visiting some breweries and bars along the way.… Read the rest “Metropolitan Beer Trail Increases Business for All”

American Homebrewers Association member Norm Ryder sent in his tip on getting the most out of every beer batch brewed. Do you have homebrewing tips or stories you want to share with the community? Let us know!

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I like to brew a few kegs-worth of beer on my brew days. Typically I make two batches per brew day, and sometimes I’ll brew a single, large batch that goes into multiple kegs. This process helps make the most of my brew days and keeps my kegs full!

One day while kegging my homebrew, I had a eureka moment.… Read the rest “Keg Blending: Waste Not, Want Not.”

While no one knows for certain what the year will bring, beer enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating more openings and events. While beer celebrations may never be the same as they were before the pandemic, a safe return to these traditions would certainly be a welcome sight. Whether beer travel is currently on the agenda or off in the horizon, these events only happen once a year, so be sure to add them to your calendar.

Pliny the Younger Release, March 25–April 7 (Santa Rosa & Windsor, Calif.)

Beer enthusiasts have made a tradition of descending on Russian River Brewing Company each year for the release of Pliny the Younger ever since head brewer and co-owner Vinnie Cilurzo first tapped it.… Read the rest “Traveling the Beer World in 2022”