First National Homebrew Competition Is Held

On May 5, 1979, the American Homebrewers Association held its first National Homebrew Competition and Gala Homebrewers Ball in Boulder, Colorado. Twenty-four homebrewers submitted 34 entries across six categories for the single-day competition. The competition created a national platform for amateur brewers to compare their beers, receive recognition, and participate in the growing American homebrewing community. It developed into an annual event and became the world’s largest homebrew competition, evaluating more than 170,000 entries during its first 48 years.