(Boulder, CO) – After 34 years, the National Homebrewers Conference continues to wow attendees with in-depth seminars, fun social events and great homebrewed beer. Seattle, Wash. hosted the event for the first time, where visiting homebrewers enjoyed the local flavor, from the Emerald City’s famous local beer, all the way down to the Grand Banquet menu, which gave a nod to the region’s excellent seafood.
Attendance:
Interest in the event has grown significantly, as the National Homebrewers Conference sold out in record time this year. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) welcomed 1,850 attendees to Seattle, and going forward, it anticipates growing the event’s capacity to admit more homebrewers to the annual gathering.
National Homebrew Competition:
The National Homebrew Competition also filled up early and saw record participation. In total, 7,800 entries in 28 different style categories were judged by beer experts nationwide, making this the largest beer competition in the world. The competition winners were recognized at the Saturday night Grand Banquet, which concluded the National Homebrewers Conference.
View the 2012 Final Round winners list.
The Grand Banquet:
In keeping with tradition, conference attendees were treated to a legendary multi-course beer-paired dinner prior to the National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony. “The Homebrew Chef” Sean Paxton orchestrated the meal—no mean task in feeding some 1,300 hungry homebrewers. Despite the dinner’s daunting scale, Paxton delivered a meal that featured local flavors paired—and also prepared—with some of Grand Banquet sponsor Rogue Ales’ finest beers. Highlights included Pacific Northwest Salmon brined in Cap’n Sig’s Northwestern Ale and double chocolate stout doughnuts injected with Seattle coffee-infused custard.
Recognition Award:
This year’s AHA Governing Committee Recognition Award went to a familiar face in homebrewing circles. Gordon Strong was presented the award to the delight of his fans and friends. His impact on the homebrewing community has been broad and significant, having spent nine years volunteering on the AHA Governing Committee, currently serving as president and highest ranking judge in the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) and a three-time winner of the National Homebrew Competition Ninkasi Award. He is also principal author of the BJCP Style Guidelines, the BJCP Mead Exam Study Guide and Brewers Publications‘ Brewing Better Beer.
Local Organizers:
The AHA extends its heartfelt thanks to the 2012 National Homebrewers Conference local organizers, without whom the event would not be possible.
Sponsors:
The National Homebrewers Conference and the AHA also recognize the many sponsors that supported the event in numerous capacities. Their dedication to the homebrewing hobby is immense, as many are long-time supporters of the event and the organization.
2013 National Homebrewers Conference:
Next year’s event will head East to Philadelphia, PA, a city well-known for its legendary Philly Beer Week. Stay tuned to AHAConference.org for details and updates.
The American Homebrewers Association has worked on behalf of the homebrewing community since 1978 and celebrates a membership of more than 30,000 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.
Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com. Follow the AHA on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.
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