Homebrewers toast across the nation May 2 (so clear your schedule)

Hailing all brewers, beer lovers, hop heads, barleywinos and brown-nosers. We’re assembling CBB’s Biere des Guardians (that’s what we’re calling our readership now) for a big toast to homebrewing on May 2 — are you down? Well, here’s just a friendly reminder to tell your family, friends and employer about this important moment in time: The American Homebrewers Association big toast to National Homebrew Day is on May 2, noon, CDT (even though May 7 is actually National Homebrew Day; don’t get confused).

Here are the details:

WHAT: In honor of National Homebrew Day (which falls every year on May 7), each year the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) celebrates AHA Big Brew on the first Saturday in May. This year, throughout the day on May 2, hundreds of bars, breweries, shops and clubs all over the country will host their local communities to brew on-site for a national, same-day homebrewing session. At noon CDT, all homebrewers and beer lovers are encouraged to raise a glass of homebrew in a simultaneous toast that celebrates those who craft outstanding homemade beer, mead and cider for their friends and loved ones. A number of suggested recipes are selected for AHA Big Brew participants to follow. This year’s chosen recipes — Columbus Pale Ale, Old School Barleywine and Killer Kölsch — are all past National Homebrew Competition (NHC) medal winners featured in the forthcoming book Modern Homebrew Recipes by three-time NHC Ninkasi Award winner Gordon Strong.

WHEN: All day long! Saturday, May 2. A simultaneous toast occurs at 12:00 p.m. CDT

WHERE: Everywhere! From homebrewers’ homes and backyards, to the shops that provide the ingredients and supplies, to local breweries and craft beer bars worldwide. View an interactive map of AHA Big Brew event locations across the country. Register your local AHA Big Brew event and join the conversation on Twitter with #BigBrew15.

WHO: Everyone! As long as they’re 21 and over, of course.

WHY: There are more than 1.2 million homebrewers in the United States. With one in every 200 adults in the U.S. now crafting their own beer, homebrewing has become one of the country’s fastest growing hobbies. AHA Big Brew is a toast to the nation’s homebrewers and their shared love and appreciation for homebrewed beer, mead and cider. In 2014, 8,000 people celebrated the AHA National Homebrew Day at 437 registered sites. Additionally, 2,200 batches created 17,550 gallons of homebrew enjoyed around the world. Last year, 49 U.S. states and 14 countries participated.