The American Homebrewers Association® (AHA)—the national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the hobby of homebrewing—announced the winners of the 2023 National Homebrew Competition (NHC) during its annual Homebrew Con™ conference in San Diego. 120 medals in 40 categories were awarded for the most outstanding homemade beer, mead, and cider. Six major awards recognizing overall brewing excellence were also presented.
The NHC has long been recognized as the world’s largest stage for amateur homebrewers to showcase their skills, creativity, and passion for the craft of fermentation. The 2023 competition received 4,335 entries from 1,708 homebrewers across 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 13 countries. In total, 164,105 entries have been evaluated since the inaugural AHA National Homebrew Competition in 1979 in Boulder, Colo.
MOST-ENTERED STYLE CATEGORIES
The winners of the most-entered categories were:
Category 3: Pilsner (211 entries)
GOLD: Jared Aumen | Ann Arbor, MI | Ann Arbor Brewers Guild | German Pils (5D)
SILVER: Robby Narquis | Richland, WA | New Zealand Pilsner (X5)
BRONZE: Gregory Rinehardt | Abingdon, VA | Stooges Brew Club | New Zealand Pilsner (X5)
Category 18: Hazy IPA (168 entries)
GOLD: Jon Dieter | Concord, OH | Brewly Homebrew Club| Hazy IPA (21C)
SILVER: Peter Cooke | Bridgewater, NJ | Garden State (GS) Homebrewers | Hazy IPA (21C)
BRONZE: David Howell | Springfield, MO | Them Beer Knobbers | Hazy IPA (21C)
Category 26: European Sour Ale (162 entries)
GOLD: Jeff Bair | Kansas City, MO | Lambic (23D)
SILVER: Joshua Cotton | Brooklyn, NY | New York City Homebrewers Guild | Berliner Weisse (23A)
BRONZE: Kevin Wojdak | Elk Grove Village, IL | Urban Knaves of Grain Homebrew Club
Category 14: Irish & British Stout (161 entries)
GOLD: Chris Hunter | Martinsville, IN | Artesian Homebrewers | Sweet Stout (16A)
SILVER: Richard Shoff | Baldwinsville, NY | Irish Stout (15B)
BRONZE: Christopher Johnson | San Diego, CA | QUAFF | Irish Extra Stout (15C)
MAJOR AWARDS
In addition to category style awards, six major awards recognizing overall brewing excellence were presented.
Homebrewer of the Year Award – Sponsored by Muntons
Recognizes the best-of-show beer judged from all gold medal winners in all beer categories.
John Heasley | Portland, OR | The Brewing Network
Cidermaker of the Year Award – Sponsored by Woodchuck Hard Cider
Recognizes the best-of-show cider judged from all gold medal winners in the cider categories.
James Werner | New Berlin, WI | Beer Barons of Milwaukee
Meadmaker of the Year Award – Sponsored by Redstone Meadery
Recognizes the best-of-show mead judged from all gold medal winners in the mead categories.
Shane Kammerer | Shawnee, KS | Kansas City Bier Meisters
Samuel Adams Ninkasi Award – Sponsored by Samuel Adams
Recognizes the entrant who accumulates the most points in the final round of competition.
Richard Shoff | Baldwinsville, NY
Gambrinus Club Award – Sponsored by Fermentis
Recognizes the club garnering the most final round points per total club entries.
New York City Homebrewers Guild | New York, NY
Homebrew Club of the Year Award – Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Awarded to the club accumulating the most total points in all categories of beer, mead, and cider in the final round of competition.
Kansas City Bier Meisters | Kansas City, KS
“The impressive quality of entries from this year’s winners demonstrated immense dedication, innovation, and skill in the art of homebrewing. These creations captivated the taste buds of the judges, showcased a diverse range of flavors, and set the standard for excellence in fermentation,” said Chris Williams, competition director. “Congratulations to the 2023 National Homebrew Competition winners!”
A complete list of winners of the 2023 National Homebrew Competition can be found here.
Gaaron Varner
Terry Bunch
