Homebrew Con is the ultimate gathering of homebrewers from around the world: two days of learning, sharing, community, and celebrating the hobby we all love. Location: Asheville, North Carolina Dates: June 19–20, 2026 NHC Final Round Judging: June 17–18, 2026

Homebrew Con 2026 is expected to be a smaller, more intimate event with approximately 1,000 attendees, and a sell-out is likely. That is different from 2022 and 2023, which each welcomed approximately 1,300 attendees. This year’s event will feel more festival-style than traditional professional conference: expect wristbands instead of badges, a smaller but highly engaged Homebrew Expo, Homebrew Hospitality inside the Expo area, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow homebrewers.

Full conference registration includes two full days of conference fun, Brewers Talks, Homebrew Expo, Homebrew Hospitality, Club Night, the National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony, and the Knock Out Party at the Renaissance downtown.

No, Homebrew Con 2026 does not offer one-day registration. Full conference registration is the only registration option.

Homebrew samples are included. Meals are not provided. Snacks will be available during Club Night and the NHC Awards & Knockout Party.

Harrah’s will have a concession stand open during Homebrew Con from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday. View the concession menu.

For local restaurant recommendations, check out ExploreAsheville.com.

The latest Homebrew Con schedule is available at HomebrewCon.org.

Local Club Spotlight: MALT Events and Collaborations

The Mountain Ale and Lager Tasters (MALT), one of the local clubs helping make Homebrew Con happen, invites attendees to enjoy some Asheville hospitality before and after the conference.

Join the MALT club meeting on Wednesday, June 17, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The River Arts District Brewing Co. (The RAD), about a one-mile walk from Harrah’s Cherokee Center. Homebrew Con attendees are welcome to stop by, grab a beer upstairs, head downstairs for the meeting, and bring homebrew to share. Try the Peach Sour collaboration between MALT and The RAD.

Get your Passport and try out MALT’s collaborations. MALT members brewed collaboration beers with eight local breweries to celebrate Homebrew Con. Attendees can download the MALT Passport, visit participating breweries, and collect stamps along the way. A limited number of printed passports will be available at the Wednesday club meeting and at the MALT booth during Homebrew Hospitality on Saturday, June 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join the Welcome Toast during the HBC General Session at 1:30 p.m. MALT partnered with Diatribe Brewing Co. on this year’s Toast Homebrew: a dark rye lager featuring base rye malt, Munich rye malt, crystal rye malt, and a delicate kiss of Amarillo and Mosaic hops. Riverbend Malt House and White Labs donated grain and yeast for the collaboration.

Visit Diatribe Brewing Co. on Sunday, June 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., for free bagels and cream cheese, plus a free pint of the dark rye lager (while supplies last). Extra parking is available at the Truist Bank across the street on Sunday.

Learn more and download the Passport here.

Yes. The AHA uses #NotMe to help attendees report safety concerns, misconduct, harassment, discrimination, bullying, or health and safety issues related to Homebrew Con. Learn more about using #NotMe at Homebrew Con.

This year, Homebrew Con will feature a Headline Speaker rather than a traditional keynote. Justin Crossley is our Headline Speaker. He will present during the AHA General Session on Friday.

No, commemorative beer bottles will not be distributed at attendee check-in this year. There is, however, a 2026 Toast Homebrew. MALT and Diatribe Brewing collaborated for this year’s Toast Homebrew to make a dark rye lager based on a recipe from one of the club’s members. It features base rye malt, Munich rye malt, and crystal rye malt, and has a delicate kiss of Amarillo and Mosaic hops. Local maltster Riverbend Malt House and White Labs donated grain and yeast for the collab.

If you are flying into Asheville Regional Airport, Lyft or Uber is recommended for transportation to hotels and downtown locations.Public bus transportation is also available. For more travel information, visit ExploreAsheville.com.

The National Homebrew Competition, or NHC, is the American Homebrewers Association’s annual competition celebrating outstanding homemade beer, mead, and cider. Entrants receive valuable feedback from judges, and top entries advance through the competition for a shot at national recognition, medals, bragging rights, and the kind of glory that pairs nicely with a well-carbonated pint.

Yes. NHC and Homebrew Con are connected, but they are not the same event. NHC is the competition. Homebrew Con is the AHA’s annual gathering of homebrewers, clubs, speakers, suppliers, and fermented fun. For 2026, NHC Final Round judging takes place June 17–18 in Asheville before Homebrew Con, which runs June 19–20. The NHC Awards Ceremony takes place during Homebrew Con on Saturday, June 20.

Yes. Homebrew Con registration is required to attend the NHC Awards Ceremony in person on June 20. The ceremony is part of the Homebrew Con experience, along with Brewer Talks, Homebrew Expo, Club Night, Homebrew Hospitality, and the Knock-Out Party. If you are not registered for the full conference, you can still cheer from wherever you are by tuning in to the NHC Awards livestream.

The 2026 NHC Awards Ceremony is Saturday, June 20, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina. The Knock-Out Party follows from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Yes. A livestream will be available for anyone who wants to cheer on the winners from home. Whether you’re in Asheville or watching from your couch with a homebrew in hand, you can follow along as medals are announced and the homebrewing community celebrates its best beer, mead, and cider. Watch the NHC Awards Ceremony livestream.

The NHC Awards Ceremony is where Final Round winners are announced and medals are awarded across beer, mead, and cider categories. It is one of the biggest celebration moments of the year for homebrewers, clubs, judges, stewards, and everyone who knows that “just one more batch” is both a hobby and a lifestyle.

NHC is for homebrewers entering homemade beer, mead, and cider. Entries must be homebrewed, not produced using professional equipment or processes. Professional brewers may enter, as long as the entries follow the homebrew requirements.

Club Night is dedicated to celebrating homebrewing and homebrew clubs. Clubs from across the country bring elaborate setups to showcase their best homebrew offerings, often with creative themes, costumes, tap setups, and serious homebrew pride. Attendees sample beverages served by the exhibiting clubs, while club members themselves become the stars of the evening. Expect approximately 20–40 clubs pouring and showing off what makes the homebrew community so special. Think beer festival meets neighborhood block party.

Yes. A Club Night Social Ticket is available as an add-on for AHA members who register for Homebrew Con. Club Night Social Tickets are limited to 200 total and are available on a first-purchased, first-secured basis. One guest ticket is available per full conference registrant. If your guest is not currently an AHA member, the Social Ticket includes a complimentary two-month AHA membership.

No. A Club Night Social Ticket provides access to Club Night only. Access to educational sessions, conference programming, and the National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony is included only with full conference registration due to venue capacity and safety requirements. The NHC Awards Ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel does not have capacity beyond full conference attendees. If you would like to watch the NHC Awards on Saturday evening but are not registered for the full conference, tune in to the NHC Awards livestream.

Absolutely. Personal homebrew inside the Civic Center is permitted for sensory analysis and educational sharing during the event, whether or not you are serving in an officially scheduled capacity. Please limit personal beverages to a modest amount: no more than four bottles or cans per registered attendee.Plan to carry them in a backpack or small bag and share organically with fellow attendees.

This year, all clubs serving homebrew in an officially scheduled capacity will use a new Club Portal.The primary contact listed on the club application will receive portal access to add club members, submit the beverages being served, and manage club participation details.

Expect a smaller, more intimate Homebrew Expo with highly engaged exhibitors. Marketplace conditions mean fewer suppliers are exhibiting this year, but attendees can still expect meaningful conversations, resources, and homebrew-focused connections. Homebrew Expo will also be open during Club Night. Check the official schedule for timing.

Homebrew Hospitality is a combined version of the former Social Club and Meetup experiences.This year, it will take place inside the Homebrew Expo area.