The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is excited to announce the new National Homebrew Competition (NHC) chair and deputy chair. The NHC is the most iconic and competitive global competition in beer, mead, and cider with entries to the 2026 NHC opening February 3. Charlie Harr has been named chair, with Jen Pereira serving as deputy chair.
Their leadership marks a significant step forward for the NHC and the AHA as a member-driven association. An overview of their roles is here.
Charlie Harr, NHC Chair
Charlie Harr brings more than 20 years of operations and event management experience, along with a strong passion for brewing education and excellence organizing beer competitions. As head judge for the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, Harr oversees large-scale, AHA/Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) sanctioned competitions, managing logistics, judge recruitment, entry coordination, and volunteer teams. He is currently pursuing BJCP National Judge certification, has been an AHA member for many years, and has competed in the NHC as an entrant.
“My experience managing large-scale competitions and passion for advancing homebrewing education make this an ideal opportunity to support both the AHA and homebrewing. I am honored to chair the NHC.” — Charlie Harr
“The AHA and National Homebrew Competition are extremely fortunate to have Charlie and Jen stepping up to lead along with the collective volunteer judges, competition organizers, subcommittee and AHA member entrants.” —Julia Herz, AHA Executive Director
Jen Pereira, Deputy Chair
Jen Pereira brings more than 25 years of experience in beverage education, judging, and competition leadership. A BJCP National Beer Judge, Certified Cicerone®, and WSET Diploma holder, Pereira has judged and organized competitions at every level. She is the founder of both the Ocean State Home Brew Competition and the Rhode Worthy Cup and has spent over two decades as an associate professor at Johnson and Wales University. She is also a past NHC judge and an avid homebrewer.
“This role is a meaningful way to give back to a community that has given me so much, and I’m proud to help lead the AHA and help grow the NHC’s impact.” — Jen Pereira
Harr and Pereira will be supported by AHA’s NHC Subcommittee, led by AHA members Sandy Cockerham and Amanda Berkemper.
Entries for the 2026 National Homebrew Competition open February 3 and close February 25. Start brewing now, and please monitor HomebrewersAssociation.org for the latest AHA news. Join the AHA to enter the NHC.
About the American Homebrewers Association (AHA)
The AHA, founded in 1978, is built and directed by members. We deliver unmatched benefits (Zymurgy Magazine), recipes (NHC-validated), resources (HomebrewersAssociation.org), and rewards (AHA Member Deals, Annual Recognition Awards, and National Homebrew Competition Awards). The association serves a community of tens of thousands of members and connects and celebrates homebrewers worldwide. Our vision is simple yet powerful: A homebrewer in every neighborhood and a homebrew club in every community. Join us.
About the National Homebrew Competition (NHC)
Founded in 1979 with just 34 entries, the NHC is now the world’s largest homebrew competition, honoring world-class beer, mead, and cider created by homebrewers everywhere. Since 2025, nearly 170,000 entries have been evaluated annually, bringing together beer’s best homebrewers, fermenters, top beer judges, stewards, and volunteer competition leaders.
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