How We Got Here and Why We Celebrate
[Editor’s note: see an update from Shawna Cormier and Julia Herz from February 27, 2025.]
By Shawna Cormier and Julia Herz
Big news. On January 22, 2025 the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) filed for incorporation in the state of Colorado as a step to becoming an independent 501(c) nonprofit organization. View the press release. Founded in 1978, the AHA has operated as a division under the umbrella of the Brewers Association (BA)—the nonprofit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers—since 1983. Before the end of 2025, the AHA will operate as a nonprofit organization autonomous from the BA. We have created a new founding board and are in the final stages of discussions to hire an association management company to carry out AHA operations.
The AHA’s founding board, comprised of chairperson Shawna Cormier, members Sandy Cockerham, Drew Beechum, Greg Roskopf, Gary Glass, and staff liaison and current executive director Julia Herz, will act as a transition committee to steward the AHA to organizational independence in 2025 and establish the nascent organization’s bylaws, vision, mission, strategic priorities, and leadership elections to happen in 2026.
This transition allows the AHA to prioritize the needs of homebrewing and the community in new and exciting ways. It also elevates membership to have a board of directors, bringing more opportunities for member engagement and contributions. The AHA had the option to stay with the BA, but with fewer members since 2019 (AHA’s height was 46,000 members, and today we have 23,000) comes fewer resources.
Experimentation, innovation, and overall strategic planning are all areas the AHA has been looking to develop but could not be fulfilled based on the current structure at the BA. As shared in the November/December 2024 issue of Zymurgy, AHA members helped birth the entire craft beer and independent brewer movement, and we are a vital part of the beer ecosystem. We take the AHA legacy, homebrewers’ importance in culture, and member needs seriously, and this change will lay a path for new growth and member engagement.
Will My Benefits Stay the Same?
Yes, for 2025, AHA member benefits will stay the same. In the future, look to see benefits refined based on member input. See the current summary of the AHA membership benefits.
Why and When Did the Move Toward Independence Start?
- Over the past few years, we’ve been increasingly hearing from members and the AHA committee that we need a reinvigorated new vision. Staff also voiced their desire to transition to an independent organization.
- This decoupling is mutually supported by current AHA and BA leadership, and the board of directors.
- Establishing the AHA as an independent entity allows for tailored governance, an evolved staffing model, and strategic flexibility to address member needs and market dynamics.
- Extensive research in 2024 supports a continued need and demand for a national organization focused on homebrewing.
What Was the Process That Led To This Move?
- In 2024, the AHA embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process.
- Research that informed the AHA’s new direction included a review of the AHA’s mission and relevance, membership and retail supply shop trends, staff input on operations and program impact, committee and stakeholder insights on member benefits, a member/non-member survey that garnered 3,755 responses; a STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political) analysis; and an independent financial review.
What Happened To Homebrew Con?
- Unfortunately, we have yet to find a suitable partner to execute a cost-effective 2025 Homebrew Con (HBC), the AHA’s annual member gathering, and the usual location of the awards ceremony. However, we are on track with an ongoing search for options to bring back HBC as a valued and important annual event in 2026.
- The 2025 National Homebrew Competition (NHC) awards ceremony will be streamed live from Kansas City after the final round of judging. Stay tuned for the livestream link.
Thirsty For More?
- See an overview of the AHA’s volunteer opportunities.
- See a recent update on the AHA’s current activities and its incredible history of helping change the world of beer as we know it.
- Renew or join the AHA to help be a part of this incredible history as it unfolds.
- Sign up to get the AHA’s What’s Brewing newsletter.
- Participate in the AHA conversation and community on the AHA Forum here.
- Enter the 47th National Homebrew Competition to compete with AHA members worldwide (update: registration now closed)
We hope you share our enthusiasm for the opportunities our new independence brings. We appreciate your membership, support, and feedback as we work to steward the association into its next chapter. It’s essential to acknowledge that future AHA members and volunteer leaders will walk, brew, and ferment in the footsteps of thousands of pioneer homebrewers who helped make the AHA, and craft beer, what it is today. What the AHA is tomorrow is now up to us. Here’s to a fantastic new future for the incredible, fun, and rewarding hobby of homebrewing.
Founding Board of Director Position Description
American Homebrewers Association, January 2025
Term
2025 Foundational Board members will be appointed to a one-year term by the American Homebrewers Association committee chair and the Brewers Association board chair. This may be adjusted to align with the bylaws once they are developed.
Board Responsibilities
The Founding Board is accountable for oversight that will lay the foundation for AHA independence as a new 501(c). To that end, it shall also:
- Comply with fiduciary obligations of care, loyalty, and obedience.
- Comply with BA expectations for board members.
- Oversee AHA’s business and financial affairs.
- Advise on Association Management Company issues as needed, and once incorporated, select and appoint the association chief staff executive.
- Perform duties entrusted to officers and directors of a nonprofit corporation.
Other Responsibilities
All Board of Director members are responsible for strategic direction and oversight of the Association’s affairs, and as such, must:
- Engage in foresight and establish a vision, mission, and strategic priorities for the AHA.
- Recommend and adopt policies consistent with the Association’s mission and statement of purpose.
- Ensure the Association adopts and implements a succession plan for officers.
- Ensure the governance structure supports a diverse, competent, committed pipeline of volunteer leaders to help transition the AHA into an independent organization.
- Promote AHA membership and champion the transition of AHA into an independent entity.
- Once independent, approve an annual budget and operating plan, evaluate the performance of the association’s director and Association Management Company, determine the Association and board strategic priorities, and monitor the achievement or non-achievement of planned objectives.
- Perform duties as assigned by any future Association governing documents.
Learn More About Your AHA Founding Board
2025 foundational board members are appointed to a one-year term by the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) committee chair and the Brewers Association (BA) board chair.
Shawna Cormier, Board Chair
Shawna Cormier is director of membership and events for the Washington Brewers Guild, an Advanced Cicerone®, BJCP judge, co-host of Cheers to Beers podcast, on the BA Board of Directors, and chair of the founding board of the newly independent AHA. With an MFA in Acting (no joke), she discovered her love of beer through homebrewing. She loves playing with her son and daughter and singing cheesy musical theatre with her husband.
QUOTE: “Homebrew now. Homebrew forever. Homebrew for all!“
AHA Member for 11 years and counting.
Sandy Cockerham
A native of Indiana, Sandy Cockerham initially became interested in beer around 1983 after befriending some chemists at work who introduced her to English ales at a local pub. She started homebrewing in the late 80s. In 2007, she took her first BJCP exam and scored a National score under the BJCP’s legacy exam and became a Master judge in 2012. She then ran for a BJCP representative spot in 2014. She currently holds the rank of Grand Master 11 and also has mead and cider endorsements. Cockerham is president of the BJCP and serves as a Representative for the Midwest region.
QUOTE: “I have judged at well over 300 competitions in the last 17 years and enjoy traveling and judging homebrew and commercial competitions all over the world. My favorite parts of judging are meeting so many great people in addition to helping brewers, cidermakers, and meadmakers.”
AHA Member for 36 years and counting
Drew Beechum
Drew Beechum joined the AHA back in 2001 to help organize the Los Angeles Homebrew Conference with his club, The Maltose Falcons. He’s written for Zymurgy and other beer magazines, been a club officer for 25 years, served on the AHA Governing Committee for nearly a decade, written seven books on the art of home fermentation, and hosts a regular podcast: Experimental Brewing. He was the 2023 HomebrewersAssociation.org recipient of the AHA Governing Committee Recognition Award.
QUOTE: “I am of the fervent belief that fermentation is the closest thing humanity has unlocked to true magic and alchemy. It’s fun and wild and should be enjoyed by one and all—and it’s much better than building another bird house!”
AHA Member for 24 years and counting
Gregory Roskopf
Gregory Roskopf’s love for beer and brewing began while growing up in Milwaukee, Wis., a city rich in brewing history and culture. Starting his homebrewing journey in 2007, Roskopf deepened his passion through membership in the Beer Barons of Milwaukee (former club), the Foam Blowers of Indiana (current club), and his travels across the U.S. and Europe. As a Certified BJCP Judge, he has expanded his knowledge of beer styles to help others and serve the homebrewing community. With 20 years of experience in association management and higher education, Roskopf specializes in membership growth, educational programming, and risk management. As chief risk officer for Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity, he leads an award-winning team, driving membership value and event success. Married with three children who often join him on brew days, Roskopf is dedicated to fostering community and celebrating the art and science of brewing—all while keeping it fun and approachable.
QUOTE: “Homebrewing challenges us to honor tradition while fostering innovation. By advancing the AHA’s mission, we create connections among brewers, cultivate inclusivity, grow our skill sets, and celebrate what truly makes homebrewing special—the people and shared experiences that bring us together.”
AHA Member for more than eight years and counting
Gary Glass
Gary Glass is head brewer at Left Hand Brewing Company in Longmont, Colo. Prior to working for Left Hand, Glass spent 20 years working for the BA in various roles, including 14 years as AHA director. He is a certified BJCP beer judge and is a judge for the prestigious Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions.
QUOTE: “Today, we are fortunate to have flavorful beer brewed in all 50 states by professionals and homebrewers alike. Prior to the founding of the AHA in 1979, that was not the case—there were very few homebrewers, and beer was mostly bland and homogenized. It took a revolution led by homebrewers and the AHA to get us where we are now. It was an honor to be part of the AHA’s journey as director for many years. I’m honored now with the opportunity as a board member to help launch this next chapter in the AHA’s history.”
AHA Member for 25 years and counting
Julia Herz, Staff Liaison
Julia Herz, AHA’s executive director, has more than two decades of experience in brewing, including two prior roles at the BA. Herz is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), BJCP Certified beer judge, Advanced Cicerone®, medal-winning homebrewer, and experienced zymurgist having made 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 the Sense of Beer Style Show. Herz’s accomplishments include creating and publishing Craftbeer.com, the website for craft beer lovers, and passionately leading the promotion of small and independent craft brewers and the independent craft brewer seal, and promoting responsible beer appreciation to mainstream media and beer lovers.
QUOTE: “Here is to innovation and continuing to bring the fun of homebrewing and fermenting to the world. We take the AHA legacy, homebrewers’ importance in our culture, and member needs seriously. This evolution better positions us to deliver on what members are requesting.”
AHA Member for over 25 years and counting
Shawna Cormier is chair of the AHA Founding Board, co-founder of Seattle Beer School, and director of membership and events, Washington Brewers Guild.
Julia Herz is executive director of the American Homebrewers Association. You can follow Julia’s homebrew talks and travels on Instagram @ImmaculateFermentation or contact her at ahaed@brewersassociation.org.
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A version of this article appeared in the March/April 2025 Zymurgy magazine. Access this issue with Zymurgy Online.
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