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Register Now: 2025 National Homebrew Competition

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national homebrew competition

It’s that time of year again: Registration is open for the 2025 National Homebrew Competition (NHC)! Since the first NHC in 1979, more than 166,000 homebrewed entries have been evaluated by our team of expert judges, and this year is your chance to go for gold.

Put your beer, cider, or mead to the test, get invaluable judge feedback, and compete for eternal glory and exciting prizes. Registration closes Feb. 19, 2025.

Register now

Competition Details

The 2025 competition includes seven First Round judging sites. Brewers are welcome to select their preferred site and do not need to choose the one that is geographically closest to them. Judging dates vary by location. There is a cap of 750 entries per location, so act fast to secure your spot. For more details and FAQs, visit the NHC website.

First Round Judging Dates:

  • Chicago, Ill.: April 11-12
  • Indianapolis, Ind.: March 28-29
  • Longmont, Colo.: April 11-12
  • New York, N.Y.: March 21-22
  • San Diego, Calif.: April 26-27
  • Seattle, Wash.: April 11-12
  • Tampa, Fla.: March 21-23

There is no cap in the number of entries per brewer. First Round entrants will receive BJCP scoresheets via email for each entry. The top entries in each category will advance to the Final Round in Kansas City, Mo., June 26-27. If you have advanced to the Final Round, you will be notified via email within two weeks of the end of judging at your First Round location.

Awards ceremony details are still in the works at this time.

To Enter the Competition

  1. Confirm your AHA Member ID. It’s on your member card, and used to register.
  2. Select the First Round site of your choice and click “Register Now” 
    • Receiving and judging dates vary by location
    • First Round site availability is first come, first served 
    • When a First Round site has reached capacity a “Site Full” banner will be posted on the website

Pro Tips

  1. Review the 2025 Style Guidelines and choose the best fit for your entry. As competition organizers, we aren’t able to advise which category to enter, but you may reference the guidelines to make your best selection.
  2. Registration is hosted on the Beer Awards Platform (BAP). If you’ve registered for a competition in BAP before, log in to register for NHC. If you are new to BAP or forgot your credentials, use the “Sign up” or “Reset forgotten password” prompts on the login page.

The National Homebrew Competition is open to American Homebrewers Association (AHA) members only. Join the AHA today and get a free book with a one-year membership!

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