Asheville, N.C. | June 20, 2026 – The American Homebrewers Association (AHA), the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering and advancing the hobby of homebrewing, has announced the esteemed winners of the 2026 National Homebrew Competition (NHC). The prestigious awards ceremony, held concurrently with Homebrew Con in Asheville, North Carolina, culminated a rigorous multi-stage judging process that recognized the pinnacle of homebrewed beer, mead, and cider. This year’s competition saw a significant outpouring of passion and skill, with 120 medals awarded across 40 distinct categories, alongside eight special honors acknowledging exceptional contributions to the broader homebrewing community.
The National Homebrew Competition boasts a rich legacy, tracing its origins back to 1979 in Boulder, Colorado. Over its storied history, the NHC has evaluated more than 170,000 entries, solidifying its status as the world’s largest and most enduring homebrew competition. This year’s iteration continued this tradition of expansive participation, drawing 3,575 entries from 1,054 dedicated AHA members hailing from 46 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and seven international countries. The sheer volume and geographical diversity of the submissions underscore the global reach and increasing popularity of homebrewing as a creative and technical pursuit.
The journey to the final awards ceremony involved a comprehensive judging process. Initial evaluations, known as First Round judging, were conducted across nine strategically located cities throughout the United States: San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Longmont, Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Tampa, Florida. These regional hubs facilitated the efficient assessment of a vast number of entries, allowing for expert scrutiny closer to the homebrewers themselves. The most outstanding entries then advanced to the Final Round, where they were meticulously evaluated by a panel of highly skilled judges in Asheville, North Carolina, on June 17th and 18th, 2026. This tiered approach ensures that only the most exceptional brews reach the final stage of consideration, maintaining the competition’s high standards.
Most-Entered Style Categories Highlight Brewing Trends
Analysis of the 2026 National Homebrew Competition entry data reveals distinct trends in brewing preferences among homebrewers. The categories attracting the largest number of entries offer valuable insights into the styles that are currently capturing the imagination and technical prowess of the homebrewing community.
Leading the pack, the Dark European Lager (Table 7) category saw an impressive 152 entries. This robust participation suggests a continued appreciation for the nuanced character and meticulous craftsmanship required to produce authentic European lagers, which often demand precise temperature control and careful fermentation management. These lagers, known for their clean profiles, subtle malt complexities, and crisp finishes, represent a significant technical challenge that dedicated homebrewers clearly relish.
Following closely, the Pale European Beer (Table 2) category garnered 137 entries. This broad category likely encompasses a range of styles such as Pilsners, Helles, and other lighter-bodied, hop-forward, yet balanced lagers and ales. The high number of entries indicates a sustained interest in beers that showcase hop aroma and flavor without overwhelming bitterness, as well as those that rely on delicate malt backbones.
Rounding out the top three, Strong Belgian Ale (Table 26) attracted 123 entries. This category is celebrated for its complex yeast-driven profiles, often featuring notes of fruit, spice, and alcohol warmth. The popularity of Strong Belgian Ales, including styles like Tripels, Dubbels, and Quadrupels, highlights the adventurous spirit of homebrewers who are eager to explore the rich and diverse spectrum of Belgian brewing traditions. These beers are known for their high alcohol content and intricate flavor development, making them a testament to a brewer’s skill and patience.
Major Awards Recognize Overall Brewing Excellence
Beyond the recognition of individual style categories, the National Homebrew Competition bestows several major awards to honor outstanding achievement across the entire spectrum of homebrewed beverages. These awards represent the highest accolades available to amateur brewers and are a testament to exceptional skill, consistency, and innovation.
The Brewery of the Year Award is presented to the AHA member who has accumulated the most awards across all categories in the National Homebrew Competition. This prestigious honor signifies a brewer’s consistent performance and broad mastery of diverse brewing styles. While specific winners for this award are not detailed in the initial announcement, its significance lies in acknowledging a sustained commitment to excellence throughout the competition.
Similarly, the Meadmaker of the Year Award celebrates the individual who has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication in the art of mead making. Mead, an ancient beverage fermented from honey, offers a vast canvas for creativity, from delicate, fruit-infused variations to rich, complex, barrel-aged creations. Winning this award underscores a profound understanding of honey varietals, fermentation techniques, and flavor balancing specific to mead.
The Cidermaker of the Year Award is bestowed upon the individual whose ciders stand out for their quality, character, and adherence to style. Cider, made from fermented apple juice, has seen a significant resurgence in popularity, and this award recognizes those homebrewers who are pushing the boundaries of this craft, producing everything from crisp, dry traditional ciders to more experimental and innovative fruit-infused or barrel-aged varieties.
The First-Time Entrant Award is a special recognition for a brewer who is participating in the National Homebrew Competition for the first time and achieves significant success, often by winning a medal. This award is designed to encourage new participants and acknowledge the courage and talent it takes to enter such a high-caliber competition for the first time. It serves as an inspiration for aspiring homebrewers to enter their creations and gain valuable feedback.
Furthermore, the competition honors the Homebrew Club of the Year Award, recognizing the club whose members have collectively earned the most awards. This award highlights the collaborative spirit and supportive environment that many homebrew clubs foster, demonstrating how shared knowledge and friendly competition can elevate the skills of an entire group.
Finally, the Golden Grains Award is presented to the brewer who earns the highest score across all categories, regardless of style. This ultimate prize signifies a brewer’s ability to consistently produce outstanding quality across a range of beer styles, showcasing a rare combination of technical mastery and creative vision.
A Community-Driven Competition: Perspectives from Leadership
Charlie Harr, Chair of the National Homebrew Competition, shared his perspective on the caliber of entries and the significance of the event. "Every year, I continue to be impressed by the rising quality of entries in the National Homebrew Competition," Harr stated. "The creativity, technical skill, and care that homebrewers, meadmakers, and cidermakers bring to this competition is remarkable. Earning a medal at the NHC is an incredible achievement, but every entrant should be proud to have brewed and shared their work on this stage."
Harr emphasized the NHC’s position as the most prestigious event in homebrewing and credited its strength to the collective efforts of the community. "This competition is the most prestigious in homebrewing, and it is made stronger by the community behind it: the entrants who push the hobby forward, the judges who lend their expertise, and the volunteers who make the competition happen. That shared passion is what makes the AHA and NHC so special," he added. His remarks underscore the collaborative ethos that underpins the competition, highlighting the interconnectedness of brewers, judges, and organizers in advancing the craft.
Annual Recognition Awards: Honoring Community Builders
In addition to the brewing awards, the AHA also presented its Annual Recognition Awards, which celebrate individuals, clubs, shops, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the growth, support, and inspiration of the homebrewing community. These awards acknowledge the vital ecosystem that surrounds and sustains the hobby.
The Homebrew Shop of the Year Award is presented to a retail establishment that has consistently provided exceptional service, quality products, and valuable support to local homebrewers. These shops often serve as community hubs, offering advice, ingredients, and equipment essential for successful homebrewing.
The American Homebrewers Association Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting homebrewing through legislative efforts, public outreach, or educational initiatives. This award highlights the crucial work done to protect the rights of homebrewers and foster a positive public perception of the hobby.
Other annual recognition awards, though not explicitly detailed in the initial announcement, typically include honors for individuals who have made long-standing contributions to homebrewing through mentorship, writing, or organizational leadership, further solidifying the AHA’s commitment to recognizing all facets of community involvement.
A Collaborative Effort: The Pillars of the NHC
The success of the 2026 National Homebrew Competition is a testament to the collective efforts of numerous individuals and organizations. The AHA extended its gratitude to a wide array of contributors, without whom the event would not be possible. Generous support from sponsors provided essential resources and funding. The dedicated organizers and volunteers at the nine First Round judging sites played a critical role in the initial assessment of thousands of entries. Furthermore, the invaluable expertise of the Final Round volunteers in Asheville ensured the smooth execution of the competition’s concluding stages.
Special acknowledgments were given to the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), whose certified judges provided expert evaluation based on established criteria, ensuring fairness and consistency. The Renaissance Hotel in Asheville was recognized for hosting the awards ceremony, providing a fitting venue for celebrating the achievements of homebrewers. Hi-Wire Brewing also received thanks for graciously receiving the Final Round entries, contributing to the logistical success of the event. These collaborations underscore the deeply ingrained community spirit that drives the National Homebrew Competition forward year after year.
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About the American Homebrewers Association
Established in 1978, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) operates as a member-driven nonprofit organization deeply rooted in the core values of community, education, joy, and volunteerism. The AHA is dedicated to empowering homebrewers by providing unparalleled resources, including the acclaimed Zymurgy magazine, a vast collection of validated recipes, comprehensive online resources at HomebrewersAssociation.org, and exclusive member benefits such as AHA Member Deals and the Annual Recognition Awards. The AHA functions through a dual structure, encompassing both a 501(c)(6) membership organization and a 501(c)(3) supporting organization, the A-Ha Foundation, allowing for broad engagement and impactful support of the homebrewing community. Prospective members are invited to join the AHA and contribute to the advancement of the hobby.
About the National Homebrew Competition
The National Homebrew Competition (NHC) serves as a pivotal platform for homebrewers to gain invaluable feedback on their creations while simultaneously being recognized for world-class beer, mead, and cider. The competition’s genesis dates back to 1979, when the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) hosted its inaugural event in Boulder, Colorado, featuring 34 entries. Since its inception, the NHC has grown exponentially, with over 170,000 entries evaluated to date, firmly establishing its legacy as the premier and most comprehensive homebrew competition globally. The competition not only celebrates individual achievement but also fosters innovation and elevates the standards of the entire homebrewing endeavor.
