40th edition of Homebrew Con garners 8,405 competition entries (and the winner is…)

Since 1979, the AHA National Homebrew Competition has recognized the most outstanding homemade beer, mead and cider produced by homebrewers worldwide each year. The first competition, held in 1979 in Boulder, Colo., judged 34 beers. At this year’s Homebrew Con (attended by 3,200 homebrewers at the Oregon Convention Center) submissions included 8,405 entries from 3,517 homebrewers located in 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 18 countries.

This year’s winners include:

• Michael Rogers of Wichita, Kan., who earned the Homebrewer of the Year Award;
• Nathan Williams of Somerville, Mass., who won the Cidermaker of the Year Award; and
• Michael Wilcox of Wichita, Kan., who received the Meadmaker of the Year Award.

“This has been a milestone year for the American Homebrewers Association. It’s inspiring to see such a great turnout at this year’s conference, and to see such a strong comradery and passion among homebrewers who have traveled far and wide to celebrate their love of homebrewing,” said Gary Glass, director, American Homebrewers Association.

QUAFF (Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity), based in San Diego, Calif., won the NHC Homebrew Club award; and North Seattle Homebrew Club based in Seattle, Wash., won the Gambrinus Club Award; while Greg Young of Roseville, Calif., won the Samuel Adams Ninkasi Award, for accumulating the most wins in the competition.

A complete list of winners of the 2018 National Homebrew Competition can be found here.

In addition to the competition, the conference provided attendees the opportunity to enhance their brewing skills and homebrew knowledge through over 60 seminars focused on beer styles, the brewing process, ingredients, recipe formulation, sensory analysis and yeast and formation.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without Charlie’s vision, devotion and passion to this community,” added Glass. “We thank him for the strong foundation he has built for over one million homebrewers in this country. He leaves a lasting legacy.”

In 2019, Homebrew Con will be held June 27-29 for the first time since 1993 in the New England area in Providence, Rhode Island.