National Homebrewers Conference brings brewers to Philadelphia

Since most craft brewing businesses start out as homebrewers, it is important to highlight events that help transform brewing specialists into booming small businesses. From June 27 to June 29, homebrewers across America will convene for the 35th Annual National Homebrewers Conference presented by the American Homebrewers Association. Beer enthusiasts and homebrewers of every level will gather in Philadelphia to bond over beers and learn from the best in the world of brewing.

“The AHA National Homebrewers Conference is an amazing opportunity for beer lovers and homebrewers to come together to enrich their brewing skills, learn more about the craft and socialize with others who share their passion for homebrewing,” said Gary Glass, director, AHA. “The conference opens the floor for discussion about this rapidly growing pastime that has become a booming business in America and one that is now legal in all 50 states.”

More than 3,400 attendees will have the chance to enhance their brewing skills through seminars such as “Yeast Culturing 101,” “Practical Malting” and “Alternative Wood Aging Techniques,” while increasing their homebrew knowledge through sessions such as “Beers of our Founding Fathers” and “Biochemistry and the Mash.”

Speakers will be present to give homebrewers advice on how to break into the professional craft brewing business. The speakers for the National Homebrewers Conference include Mitch Steele, brewmaster for the Stone Brewing Co. and author of IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes and the Evolution of India Pale Ale; Janet Fletcher, author and cheese columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle; and Jamil Zainasheff, owner and brewer, Heretic Brewing Co., and author of Brewing Classic Styles.

In addition to speakers and seminars, conference-goers will enjoy a series of events where they can sample each other’s brews and commercial craft beers, and grow the conference camaraderie. The Homebrew Expo & Social Club, Pro-Brewers Night and Club Night are opportunities for participants to sample craft beers and meads from homebrew clubs across the country, while making new brew-savvy friends.

The conference is also home to the final round of judging in the AHA National Homebrew Competition, the world’s largest beer competition, which recognizes the most outstanding homebrewed beer, mead and cider produced by amateur brewers worldwide. So far there have been 8,263 entries from 2,187 participants for the 2013 National Homebrew Competition. Out of those entries, 940 have been selected to advance to the final round of judging at the conference.

Tickets for the 2013 National Homebrewers Conference went on sale Feb. 5 and were sold out within 20 hours.