Statewide Search for PA’s Next Great Homebrewer comes to Susquehanna Brewing Co.
Amateur brewing competition aims to crown “Best Homebrewer in PA.”
Homebrewers of all stripes are gearing up for the hotly anticipated return of the Pennsylvania Homebrew invitational. The popular statewide competition, created and organized by Breweries in PA, kicks off its sophomore season right here in NEPA. The tournament opens with the Northeast Regional Qualifier on Saturday, July 8 at Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston.
And get this… It’s a public event! A $35 ticket (and an ID proving you’re 21+) gets you in the door. You show up. You drink beer.
There will be five, regional qualifying competitions held at various breweries throughout the state from July through August. Each event is certified and judged by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The competition culminates with a final championship round at Floating Feathers Brewing in Mill Hall, PA in October. There, the top three homebrewers from each regional competition and the overall People’s Choice winner will duke it out sip for sip for the coveted “Best Homebrewer in Pennsylvania” belt.
There are a lot of people in the homebrewing industry that take what they do very seriously. Events like this allow them to create beers for more than just their family and friends. It allows them to make beer for large audiences that may not normally have a chance to enjoy it. At the same time, BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) certified events like ours are important to homebrewers for feedback on their beer.
Homebrewing – The Secret Sauce Behind Pennsylvania Craft Beer
An industry thriving on innovation, grit and a good bit of that DIY, garage band ethos.
Pennsylvania enjoys a long history of homebrewing. In fact, many of our favorite craft breweries in existence today started out with store-bought or homemade kits in a basement or a garage. Of course, not every homebrewer has their sights set on craft beer stardom. For most, it’s simply a labor of love and experimentation. And according to Chad Balbi of Breweries in PA, their numbers are always growing. “Based on our experience, the amount of people homebrewing is easily in the thousands with how many local homebrew groups there are in PA and how fast the hobby is growing.”
And the Homebrew Invitational is the perfect place to get acquainted with the friendly homebrew community. “This is truly a unique beer offering.” Balbi continues, “You’re getting a chance to try beers that aren’t readily available on shelves in grocery stores or distributors.” For both the enthusiast and the casual beer drinker, it’s an opportunity to discover something new. “An event like this is perfect for someone who isn’t a craft beer fanatic but enjoys seeing what is out there.” For Balbi, it boils down to making a connection between the consumer, the beer, and the brewer. “When you have the person who made the beer standing across from you, you get the chance to ask questions and understand it a bit more.”
Dip your toes into PA’s unique homebrewing scene.
Check out the Northeast Regional Qualifier of the PA Homebrew Invitational at Susquehanna Brewing Co. in Pittston on Saturday, July 8. Doors open at 12 p.m. Enjoy unlimited samples of unique craft beers from over 20 local homebrewers. And don’t forget to vote for the overall People’s Choice winner.
Visit Breweries in PA for more information on the competition, official rules and regulations, tickets and all things craft beer in Pennsylvania. And keep up on all of the regional events via social media.
