CBB and the American Homebrewers Association toast National Homebrew Day (May 4)

Celebrating one of America’s fastest growing hobbies, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) and Craft Brewing Business (CBB) encourage homebrewers and beer aficionados around the world to toast National Homebrew Day with AHA Big Brew. This worldwide event brings together thousands of homebrewers from around the globe, all brewing the same beers, and highlighted by a toast at noon Central Time on May 4.

“AHA Big Brew is an opportunity for the global community of beer lovers to come together and enjoy the fruits of homebrewing,” said Gary Glass, director, American Homebrewers Association. “It’s a time to celebrate those who perfect their passion for homemade beers and share them with their friends and loved ones. Homebrewers have a lot to celebrate, as this craft continues to grow. Big Brew lends itself to the spirit of collaboration and community.”

In 1988, Congress declared May 7 National Homebrew Day. A decade later, the AHA created Big Brew to celebrate National Homebrew Day. Now every year on the first Saturday in May, homebrewers come together to share their love for the hobby through AHA Big Brew, raising glasses to celebrate the art of homebrewing.

Around the world, AHA Big Brew participants are encouraged to host events and brew the same beer. This year’s recipes include a Belgian Blonde Ale, an English Dark Mild Ale and an American Pilsner, which come from the 7th annual Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am Competition, held October 2012 in Denver.

An estimated 7,100 people participated in the AHA National Homebrew Day at 254 registered sites in 2012, spanning 44 U.S. states and nine countries. Homebrewers cooked up 1,500 batches, equal to more than 11,200 gallons of sumptuous libations for all.

Homebrewing came to America when the first English settlers arrived in the New World. The forefathers of our country were active homebrewers and it’s still practiced in the White House today. Since it was legalized in 1978, homebrewing has been continuously on the rise, and the AHA estimates more than 1 million people in the United States brew beer at home at least once a year.

A complete list of AHA Big Brew events makes it easy to celebrate and register for a local AHA Big Brew event. Follow the festivities on Twitter with #BigBrew13.