Homebrew Con 2023 Welcome Toast & Day 1 Headline Session

Join American Homebrewers Association (AHA) Executive Director Julia Herz for a Homebrew Con 2023 introduction and welcome toast, followed by a headline session presented by the California Homebrewers Association’s Andy Carter. Then, the AHA Governing Committee presents the AHA Recognition.

Headline Session: You Miss 100% of the Batches You Don’t Brew

Nothing is more satisfying than pouring the first glass of a new brew. Just ask Andy. He believes the effort, problem-solving and mistakes while homebrewing make everything taste even more delicious. Join this not-to-miss main stage presentation as Andy shares his journey from kitchen stove brewing in grad school to leveling up skills with the Ventura Independent Beer Enthusiasts, his take on the essential value membership associations deliver, his time as a California Homebrewers Association volunteer leader, and…the pain and gain along the way. This is a story of building friendships and teams, changing laws (we’re lookin at you, California), how every setback is an opportunity to grow, and how homebrewing might just transform your life as it did for Andy.

About the Speakers

Andy Carter has been homebrewing for over a decade, and held multiple leadership and educational roles within the community. He served as President of Ventura Independent Beer Enthusiasts (VIBE) from 2015 to 2019, President of the California Homebrewers Association (CHA) from 2017 to 2022, and is now CHA Treasurer. He is a contributor to the homebrewing website Brulosophy, and co-host on many beer and homebrewing podcasts.

Julia Herz is the executive director of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA)—the nation’s largest hobbyist not-for-profit organization for homebrewers and fermented beverages. Herz is a Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) certified beer judge, Advanced Cicerone, medal-winning homebrewer, and experienced zymurgist who has been making beer, mead, and fermented foods since 1994. She is the co-author of Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros (Voyager Press, 2015), the CraftBeer.com Beer & Food Guide and co-host of Sense of Beer Style Show.

Shawna Cormier is the founder of Seattle Beer School, an education and events company created to advocate accessibility, community, and inclusion in the beer industry. She also works at Floodland Brewing in Seattle, Washington. Shawna is chair of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) Governing Committee, Brewers Association AHA Board Representative, an Advanced Cicerone, Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) certified judge, and co-host of the podcast Cheers to Beers. She also has two beautiful kiddos, Mabel and Finian, and a very supportive husband, Josh. Check out Seattle Beer School on Instagram and TikTok.