Denver Post Spotlights Homebrewing’s Renaissance and AHA’s Role in Leading It

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”

Nominations Now Open for 2025 American Homebrewers Association Annual Recognition Awards

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”

Update on AHA’s Independence and Call for Member Comment

[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”

Let’s Lager Down to the Ozdust Ballroom (Learn to Homebrew 2025 Official Recipe)

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)”

Ruddles Best Bitter (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)”

Brew Something New on Learn to Homebrew Day—November 1, 2025

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:

Read the rest “Brew Something New on Learn to Homebrew Day—November 1, 2025”

Director’s Cut: The AHA’s Vision

A Homebrewer in Every Neighborhood and a Homebrew Club in Every Community

Hello, Planet Homebrewing! We homebrewers are a special group. We have a knack for irreverence. We don’t like being pigeonholed. We don’t like being thought of as one-size-fits-all, and we don’t subscribe to predefined rules. Am I right?

For individuals who choose to practice this hobby we are so passionate about, it’s an exciting time for the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). We’re charting a new course to represent, support, and fuel homebrewing. On June 27, 2025, your new AHA Founding Board of Directors (see Zymurgy March/April 2025) announced the new AHA 2025 Strategic Plan.… Read the rest “Director’s Cut: The AHA’s Vision”

Big Brew 2025: Go BIG on National Homebrew Day

On May 3, 2025, Big Brew for National Homebrew Day returns! This annual holiday, established by the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), is an opportunity for homebrewers to gather and share their love and knowledge of homebrewing with family, friends, and the larger homebrewing community.

This year’s official recipe is Big Blimp! Barleywine from homebrewers Donna and Larry Reuter. This barleywine took home the gold in the 2019 and 2023 National Homebrew Competition Final Rounds. Homebrewers can expect a hoppy, strong ale of the highest caliber. This recipe and thousands of others can be found on the AHA’s recipe library, along with homebrewing tips and education for brewers of all skill levels.… Read the rest “Big Brew 2025: Go BIG on National Homebrew Day”