Step 1: Competition Registration/Payment

AHA members register on BAP for the First Round site of their choice starting on February 3, 2026. Links to register for First Round locations will be posted to HomebrewersAssociation.org and available directly through BAP.

First Round Competition Site Selection:

Sites will fill on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to 750 entries per site. Entrants do not need to choose the site closest to them geographically and may instead select a First Round site based on availability. Entries are not confirmed until payment is made.

Entries:

There is a limit of 10 entries per brewer, per First Round site. You may enter more than one beer per category or subcategory. You may edit specific entry details after payment until each site’s edit deadline. The competition registration and payment system currently only accepts PayPal. Entries are not confirmed and their spot in the competition is not guaranteed until payment has been made. Once payment has been made, there are no refunds and entry fees are non-transferable.

Fill out the registration form in full. Many categories require specialty information such as fruits, spices, or barrel types. You will receive a confirmation email with your entry information. You may edit your entry information until your First Round site’s specified edit deadline.

Please monitor your email carefully during this time for confirmation notifications and competition updates.

Why is there a 10-entry limit per First Round location?

We’ve received numerous questions and comments on the 10-entry limit per First Round location rule. The 10-entry rule helps to ensure fairness, manageable judging loads, and consistent judging quality across all sites. Each First Round location has a fixed capacity based on judges, space, and time, and this limit prevents any one entrant from disproportionately filling a single site. With nine First Round locations, entrants may submit up to ten entries per individual location, allowing broad participation while keeping judging balanced nationwide. You may not enter the same beer to multiple sites. We recognize that entering multiple locations can mean additional shipping costs. While not ideal, this structure helps prevent site overcrowding and protects the integrity and credibility of the National Homebrew Competition for all participants.

Step 2: Entry Confirmation

You will receive a confirmation email after registering and paying for your entries. A $19-per-entry fee for First Round entries must be paid before entry labels can be printed. Entries that advance to the Final Round require an additional $10 entry fee. Only First Round entries earning a Gold, Silver, or Bronze advance to the Final Round.

Step 3: Beer Editing and Labeling

Log in to your registration for your First Round Competition site in BAP to verify that required entry information is correct and that entries are packaged in bottles or cans that meet size and type requirements. Ensure all co-brewers (if any) are listed with full names.

NHC Tables:

Each year, the competition organizes BJCP Style Guidelines into NHC Tables. To complete your entry label, choose the appropriate category and subcategory for your entry. Refer to the Style Guidelines section to review which subcategories fall within each table.

Include any additional information required for your subcategory according to the applicable BJCP Style Guidelines. First Round organizers and staff cannot assist with selecting subcategories. This responsibility rests solely with the entrant.

Homebrew Club Affiliation:

Entrants may be affiliated with only one homebrew club for the entire competition. Multiple clubs may not be listed, and club affiliation may not change between the First and Final Rounds. Note: A homebrew club affiliation is not required and is optional to register.

Entry Labels:

Once entry fees are paid, entry labels will be available in BAP. Print labels directly from BAP and securely attach one to each bottle or can. Labels must be at least 1.5 inches wide and 2.625 inches tall, with legible text. Do not alter labels or obscure QR codes. Since labels do not include identifying information, packing tape is the preferred attachment method. Rubber bands are insufficient. Bottles received without labels will be disqualified.

Step 4: Shipping Window

All entries must be received by the First Round site before the shipping deadline. Dates vary by site. Refer to the front page of the NHC website for your site’s shipping window or contact the site organizer if needed.

Step 5: Feedback and Results

First Round scores will be posted on the First Round site’s BAP website for entrants to review and download. Release dates vary based on when judging concludes and results are reviewed by the NHC. All dates listed in BAP are subject to change.

Final Round Notification:

Entrants advancing to the Final Round will be notified within two weeks of their First Round site’s final judging session. The AHA will publicly announce winners during the first week of May and send instructions for Final Round payment and shipping to Asheville.

As with the First Round, entry labels for the Final Round are printed directly from BAP and cannot be printed until payment is made.

Entry labels are also used for judging and do not include personal information. Labels must be securely attached, preferably with packing tape. Rubber bands are not ideal.

All Final Round entries receive judge feedback through the BAP system. No results or feedback are mailed.

IMPORTANT:

All Final Round medal winners are required to provide recipe information for publication in Zymurgy magazine.

How many bottles should I ship?

First Round:

Two (2) bottles or cans must be sent to the selected First Round site. Size and shape requirements apply.

Final Round:

Three (3) bottles or cans must be sent to the Final Round site in Asheville for entries that advance. Further instructions will be provided after the First Round.

What type of packaging is accepted?

Requirements

• Two (2) bottles/cans per First Round entry, no more than 14 oz. capacity
• Bottles/cans must not exceed 9.5 inches tall or 2.75 inches in diameter, regardless of volume
• Bottles with raised (embossed) lettering are allowed
• Entry labels must be at least 1.5 × 2.625 inches and securely attached to each package

• Large-format (750 mL/22 oz) bomber bottles and Grolsch/flip-top bottles
• Any identifying marks on bottles, cans, or caps, including labels, tape, or markers
• Include note directing readers to additional disqualification procedures later in the document

Can I receive a refund if I can no longer participate?

We do not provide refunds except in extreme circumstances.

Do I need to provide a recipe?

A recipe is required only if one or more entries win a medal in the Final Round.

When can I edit my entries?

Entries are not confirmed until payment is made. Entry editing is allowed until the edit deadline for your First Round site. Refer to the Dates & Deadlines section for details.

Can I delete entries?

No. After the registration and payment window closes, entries cannot be deleted.

Are entry fees transferable?

No. Entry fees are non-transferable.

How do I choose the correct category for my entry?

Selecting the correct subcategory is critical to earning medals. This decision is solely the responsibility of the entrant. Competition staff cannot assist. The BJCP Style Guidelines are the primary resource, and tasting with your homebrew club is strongly encouraged. Enter what your beverage tastes like, not what you intended to brew.

What if I have special ingredients?

Refer to the BJCP Style Guidelines for your subcategory’s Entry Instructions. The entry portal will prompt you for required base style and specialty ingredient information. Entries missing required information may be disadvantaged during judging.

Tip:

Keep ingredient descriptions simple. Avoid terms such as extract, puree, fresh, all-natural, or canned. Do not use brand names, geographic names, or other identifying information. Potentially biasing language will be edited for judging. Only essential ingredient or process information will be provided to judges.

All mead entries must include sweetness, carbonation, and strength information.

All cider entries must include sweetness and carbonation information.