E-Malt.com News article: US: Homebrewing hobby expanding – National Conference projected to hit all-time high of 1,900 participants

The homebrewing hobby continues to grow substantially, and the National Homebrewers Conference is a clear indicator of the pastime's popularity. The sold-out conference is projected to hit an all-time high of 1,900 participants, which is nearly a 50 percent increase over last year's attendance, The Brewers Association reported on May, 5.

The comprehensive conference agenda, plus the thriving San Diego craft brewing and homebrewing community, is certainly a draw for attendees traveling from all corners of North America to participate in the world's longest-running homebrewers conference. Attendees will take in educational seminars, participate in social events and, for some, receive prestigious awards in the National Homebrew Competition.

Hobbyists will immerse themselves in three days of concentrated education-30 different seminars all told-to expand their homebrewing knowledge. Expert speakers, including well-known authors and professional brewers, will cover the gamut of topics, ranging from ingredients to brewing techniques to advanced recipes. While attendees may have a difficult choice deciding which seminars to prioritize, all will be sure to hear the keynote address, given by Vinnie Cilurzo, founder and brewmaster of Russian River Brewing Co., on Friday, June 17.

Once the notebooks have been packed away and the slideshows have ended each evening, participants will celebrate at social events that are unique to the National Homebrewers Conference. Attendees will be treated to a host of special beers at Thursday's Pro-Brewers Night, an event that sees more than 40 breweries from California and beyond try to impress beer enthusiasts with their finest fermentables. Then, homebrew clubs take center stage for Friday's Club Night. Two parts homegrown beer festival, one part costume party, Club Night always delivers with wacky fun and artful homebrew.

Finally, the conference winds down on Saturday, June 18 with a banquet featuring "The Homebrew Chef," Sean Paxton. The 2011 National Homebrew Competition winners will be awarded at this closing event as well. With close to 7,000 entries in 28 different style categories, this year's competition has been the largest to date and is the largest beer competition in the world!

The American Homebrewers Association has worked on behalf of the homebrewing community since 1978 and boasts a membership of more than 25,000 homebrewers. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) organizes events including the National Homebrewers Conference and National Homebrew Competition. The AHA also publishes Zymurgy magazine. The AHA is part of the Brewers Association, whose Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today's craft brewers and homebrewers.


06 May, 2011