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How We Got Here and Why We Celebrate

[Editor’s note: see an update from Shawna Cormier and Julia Herz from February 27, 2025.]

By Shawna Cormier and Julia Herz

Big news. On January 22, 2025 the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) filed for incorporation in the state of Colorado as a step to becoming an independent 501(c) nonprofit organization. View the press release. Founded in 1978, the AHA has operated as a division under the umbrella of the Brewers Association (BA)—the nonprofit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers—since 1983.… Read the rest “Director’s Cut: The AHA Is Going Independent!”

Got a brewing gadget or DIY invention you’re especially proud of? Share it with your fellow Zymurgy® readers to have it featured in the world’s longest running homebrewing magazine! Our January/February Gadgets issue is right around the corner, and we’re looking for the clever tools and homemade hacks that make your brew day faster, easier, or more efficient.

Submit a photo and short description by Friday, November 7, and your creation could be featured in the Jan/Feb 2026 Gadgets issue! Membership required.

Not a member? Join the AHA and share your invention with us.… Read the rest “Call for Gadgets: Submit Your Brewing Inventions by Nov. 7!”

The Denver Post recently featured American Homebrewers Association Executive Director Julia Herz in a story celebrating Colorado’s homebrewing community and homebrewing’s future.

In the article, published October 10, Julia shares her lifelong love of brewing, the new AHA vision—a homebrewer in every neighborhood and a homebrew club in every community—and why she believes homebrewing is “poised for another resurgence.”

Homebrewing, she explains, is more than just beer—it’s a connection to the community, agriculture, and each other.

“Homebrewing connects you not only to the process but to the community,” Julia said.… Read the rest “Denver Post Spotlights Homebrewing’s Renaissance and AHA’s Role in Leading It”

Each year, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) issues awards to recognize individuals and businesses that inspire, defend and innovate in the homebrewing industry. Nominations are now open for the annual Homebrew Shop of the Year and Member Deal of the Year awards. AHA members can submit a nomination in the forms below by 11:59 pm MT on May 2. Award winners will be announced at the National Homebrew Competition awards ceremony on June 28 in Kansas City, Mo.

Homebrew Shop of the Year, Presented by RahrBSG

Beyond their role as a supplier of homebrewing equipment and ingredients, homebrew shops are advocates for homebrewing and play a key role in innovation and expansion of the craft. The… Read the rest “Nominations Now Open for 2025 American Homebrewers Association Annual Recognition Awards”

[Pictured above: Back row, AHA founding board members Gary Glass, Drew Beechum, and Greg Roskopf; front row, Sandy Cockerham, Shawna Cormier (chair), and Julia Herz (AHA executive director).]

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By Shawna Cormier (Chair, AHA Founding Board) and Julia Herz (Executive Director, American Homebrewers Association)

Hello, American Homebrewers Association (AHA) members and the world’s homebrewing community. We are excited to share some important updates. Since our January 22, 2025, announcement that the AHA is incorporating to become an independent organization from the Brewers Association (BA), we received very positive feedback from many members and partners.… Read the rest “Update on AHA’s Independence and Call for Member Comment”

Start with RO water and treat strike water with brewing salts to achieve the specified water profile. Follow the Hochkurz mash schedule. Target a mash pH of 5.3. Mash in at 146°F (63°C) and hold for 20 minutes. Increase mash temperature to 156°F (69°C) and hold for 35 minutes. Increase mash temperature to 168°F (76°C) to mashout.



Boil for 90 minutes. At 60 minutes add Magnum hops. Add Whirlfloc tablet at 10 minutes. Chill the wort to 50°F (10°C), oxygenate wort, add 1 Servomyces yeast nutrient capsule to the wort, and pitch yeast.… Read the rest “Let’s Lager Down to the Ozdust Ballroom (Learn to Homebrew 2025 Official Recipe)”

Steep crushed crystal malt in 1.5 gallons (5.7 L) water at 150°F (65.5 C) for 30 minutes. Strain and sparge with enough 170°F (76.5°C) water to finish with 2.5 gallons (9.5 L) specialty grain liquor. Add the dried malt extract and bittering hops and bring to a full and vigorous boil.

 Boil 60 minutes. Add flavor hops at 20 minutes. Add Irish moss at 10 minutes. After a total wort boil of 60 minutes, turn off the heat, and rack clear wort into a sanitized fermenter to which 2 gallons (7.6 L) of cold water have been added.… Read the rest “Ruddles Best Bitter (Learn to Homebrew 2025 Official Recipe)”

Since 1999, the first Saturday in November has been dedicated to the art of homebrewing. Every year, beer lovers around the world come together on Learn to Homebrew Day to brew, share knowledge, and celebrate the most rewarding (and delicious) hobby out there.

This year’s celebration happens Saturday, November 1, 2025, and the American Homebrewers Association® (AHA) has two official recipes to inspire your brew day:

• Let’s Lager Down to the Ozdust Ballroom (Vienna Lager): A traditional Vienna lager recipe from AHA member Tyler Miller, 2025 National Homebrew Competition Samuel Adams Ninkasi Winner, and member of the Arizona Society of Homebrewers (2025 NHC Homebrew Club of the Year).