Clear your calendar—the world’s largest and most competitive homebrew competition is gearing up for another epic year. The 2026 National Homebrew Competition (NHC) is officially on the horizon.
2026 marks the NHC’s 48th year, proudly brought to you by the American Homebrewers Association and supported by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). Since 1979, more than 170,000 entries have been judged—each one a snapshot of the creativity, skill, and dedication that define homebrewing.
A New Era, Same Legendary Competition
Since the AHA went independent in July 2025, your new staff—along with volunteer member leaders on the AHA Founding Board and Events Committee—have been giddily working to make the 2026 NHC bigger, better, and bursting with homebrewing glory.
How the 2026 NHC Will Unfold
Here’s what you can expect:
- Nine First Round judging sites across the country
- First Round judging will take place in March and April 2026
- Advancing entries head to the Final Round in Asheville, NC, on June 17–18, 2026
- The awards ceremony and ultimate knock-out party happen on June 20, hosted during Homebrew Con
Put your beer, cider, and mead entries to the test, and get invaluable judge feedback.
Pro Tips for NHC Success
- Review the 2025 Style Guidelines and choose the category that best fits your entry.
- Registration will once again be hosted on the Beer Awards Platform (BAP).
- The NHC is open to AHA members only. Join or renew the AHA today to get unmatched resources, recipes, and rewards—plus access to this legendary competition.
What’s Next?
Full details—including registration dates, shipping and drop-off deadlines, categories, prizes, volunteer opportunities, judging info, and Final Round hotel information—are coming in January.
Check back and join our newsletter for updates.
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