Asheville, N.C. | June 20, 2026 – The American Homebrewers Association® (AHA), the preeminent national nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement and celebration of homebrewing, has officially announced the distinguished winners of the 48th annual National Homebrew Competition (NHC). The prestigious awards ceremony took place at Homebrew Con in the vibrant city of Asheville, North Carolina, marking the culmination of a rigorous and highly anticipated competition that spans decades of brewing excellence.
This year’s competition saw a remarkable display of skill and dedication, with a total of 120 medals bestowed upon brewers across 40 distinct categories. These accolades recognize the outstanding quality and artistry demonstrated in homebrewed beer, mead, and cider. Beyond individual brewing achievements, the NHC also honored eight individuals, clubs, shops, or organizations for their significant and ongoing contributions to the broader homebrewing community. These annual recognition awards highlight those who foster growth, innovation, and camaraderie within the hobby.
The history of the National Homebrew Competition is deeply intertwined with the evolution of homebrewing in America. Its origins trace back to 1979 in Boulder, Colorado, where the first AHA National Homebrew Competition was held with a modest 34 entries. Since that inaugural event, the NHC has grown exponentially, becoming the world’s largest and longest-running homebrew competition. To date, over 170,000 entries have been meticulously evaluated by a dedicated panel of judges, underscoring its enduring legacy and its pivotal role in setting the standards for homebrewed beverages.
The 2026 iteration of this esteemed competition attracted a significant influx of entries, reflecting the hobby’s growing popularity and the increasing sophistication of its practitioners. A total of 3,575 entries were submitted by 1,054 AHA members. These dedicated homebrewers hailed from 46 states across the United States, the District of Columbia, and an impressive seven international countries, demonstrating the global reach and appeal of American homebrewing standards. This broad participation ensures a diverse representation of styles and techniques from around the world.
The judging process for the NHC is a multi-stage endeavor designed to ensure fairness and thorough evaluation. The initial phase, known as the First Round, involved judging across nine strategically located cities throughout the country. These sites included San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Longmont, Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Tampa, Florida. This distributed approach allows for greater accessibility for entrants and leverages regional expertise. The highest-scoring entries from these preliminary rounds then advanced to the Final Round of judging, which took place from June 17-18 in Asheville, North Carolina, immediately preceding the Homebrew Con festivities.
Most-Entered Style Categories Highlight Popular Trends
The sheer volume of entries in certain style categories offers valuable insights into the current trends and preferences within the homebrewing community. For 2026, three categories stood out for their exceptional popularity, drawing the largest number of entries and showcasing the dedication of brewers to these particular styles.
The most fiercely contested category was Dark European Lager (Table 7), which garnered an impressive 152 entries. This indicates a strong and sustained interest in the nuanced and often technically demanding world of traditional dark lagers, such as Dunkels and Schwarzbiers. Brewers are clearly embracing the challenge of achieving clarity, malt complexity, and clean fermentation profiles that define these classic European styles.
Following closely behind was Pale European Beer (Table 2), with 137 entries. This broad category likely encompasses a variety of beloved styles like Helles, Pilsners, and Kölsch, all of which require a delicate balance of malt, hop, and yeast character. The high number of entries suggests a continued appreciation for the refreshing and sessionable qualities of these lighter, yet flavorful, lagers and ales.
Rounding out the top three was Strong Belgian Ale (Table 26), attracting 123 entries. This category celebrates the rich, complex, and often high-alcohol offerings from Belgium, including Dubbels, Tripels, Quads, and Saisons. The significant number of entries here points to a segment of the homebrewing community that thrives on pushing the boundaries of yeast character, fermentation control, and ingredient integration to produce truly remarkable and robust beers.
A comprehensive and detailed list of all category winners for the 2026 National Homebrew Competition is available for public access on the American Homebrewers Association website. This resource serves as an invaluable guide for aspiring brewers seeking to understand the criteria for award-winning examples of various styles.
Major Awards Recognize Overall Brewing Excellence
In addition to the individual category style awards, the NHC also bestows six major awards to recognize brewers and organizations for their exceptional contributions and overarching excellence within the homebrewing landscape. These prestigious honors represent the pinnacle of achievement in specific areas of the craft.
The Cidermaker of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in the art of cidermaking. This award recognizes not only the quality of the finished product but also the innovation and passion that goes into crafting outstanding ciders from various apple varietals and fermentation techniques. While specific winners for this and other major awards are detailed in the full competition results, the existence of this category underscores the AHA’s commitment to supporting and celebrating all fermented beverages produced by home enthusiasts.
The Meadmaker of the Year Award similarly honors a meadmaker whose creations exemplify the diverse and evolving world of honey wines. From traditional melomels (fruit meads) to metheglins (spiced meads) and braggots (mead-beer hybrids), this award celebrates the artistry involved in balancing honey sweetness, fermentation character, and complementary flavorings. The increasing sophistication of meadmaking has led to a vibrant and creative community, and this award serves as a testament to that growth.
Community Champions: Honoring Contributions to Homebrewing
The NHC also extends its recognition beyond individual beverage creation to acknowledge those who actively foster and advance the homebrewing community itself. These annual recognition awards are crucial for highlighting the individuals and entities that form the bedrock of the hobby.
The Homebrew Shop of the Year Award is presented to a retail establishment that has consistently provided exceptional products, knowledgeable advice, and outstanding customer service to homebrewers in their local area. These shops are vital hubs for sourcing ingredients, equipment, and sharing expertise, playing a critical role in the accessibility and continued engagement of homebrewers.
The American Homebrewers Association Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made significant efforts to promote homebrewing, defend brewers’ rights, or educate the public about the merits of home fermentation. This award celebrates those who champion the hobby at a policy level and through public outreach, ensuring its continued viability and positive perception.
Furthermore, the NHC acknowledges outstanding Homebrew Club of the Year. This award celebrates a club that demonstrates exemplary organization, active membership engagement, impactful community outreach, and a commitment to shared learning and camaraderie among its members. Thriving homebrew clubs are essential for mentorship, recipe sharing, and fostering a supportive environment for brewers of all experience levels.
A Voice of Experience: Insights from the Competition Chair
Charlie Harr, Chair of the National Homebrew Competition, offered profound insights into the significance of the event and the caliber of entries received. "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 further emphasized the competition’s prestige and its community-driven nature. "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." His remarks underscore the collaborative spirit and the dedication of all involved in making the NHC a resounding success year after year.
A review of previous winners is available on the American Homebrewers Association website, providing a historical perspective on the evolution of homebrewing excellence.
Thank You to the Pillars of the NHC
The successful execution of the 2026 National Homebrew Competition was made possible through the collective efforts of numerous individuals and organizations. The AHA extends its sincere gratitude to the generous sponsors whose financial support was instrumental in underwriting various aspects of the competition. Special recognition is also due to the dedicated organizers and volunteers at the nine First Round judging sites, whose meticulous work ensured fair and efficient preliminary evaluations. The Final Round volunteers in Asheville deserve immense praise for their commitment and tireless efforts during the critical judging period.
The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) played a vital role by providing a cadre of highly trained and experienced judges, whose expertise is foundational to the integrity of the competition. The Renaissance Hotel in Asheville provided a fitting and hospitable venue for the awards ceremony, and Hi-Wire Brewing graciously served as the host for receiving Final Round entries, demonstrating strong community support. These contributions, among many others, were essential in bringing the 2026 competition to life.
High-resolution photographs from the event, suitable for media use, are available upon request. Interested parties can contact the AHA at [email protected] for inquiries and to obtain these assets.
About the American Homebrewers Association®
Established in 1978, the American Homebrewers Association® (AHA) is a member-driven organization built upon the core values of community, education, joy, and volunteerism. The AHA is committed to providing its members with unparalleled resources designed to enhance their homebrewing experience. These resources include the award-winning Zymurgy® magazine, a vast collection of National Homebrew Competition-validated recipes, comprehensive online resources available at HomebrewersAssociation.org, and exclusive member benefits such as AHA Member Deals and the Annual Recognition Awards. The AHA operates as both a 501(c)(6) membership organization and a 501(c)(3) supporting organization, the A-Ha Foundation, enabling a broad spectrum of activities to support and grow the homebrewing community. Individuals interested in joining this vibrant community can do so by visiting homebrewersassociation.org/membership/join-or-renew/.
About the National Homebrew Competition
The National Homebrew Competition (NHC) serves as a critical platform for homebrewers to receive invaluable feedback on their creations, while simultaneously celebrating and recognizing the most outstanding, world-class homebrewed beer, mead, and cider. The competition’s origins date back to 1979, when the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) hosted its inaugural event in Boulder, Colorado, with 34 participating entries. Since that foundational year, the NHC has evolved into a global benchmark for homebrewing excellence, with over 170,000 entries having been evaluated. Its consistent growth and enduring legacy solidify its position as the largest and most respected homebrew competition in the world, driving innovation and raising the bar for home fermentation enthusiasts everywhere.
