American Homebrewers Association Is Founded

On December 7, 1978, Charlie Papazian and Charlie Matzen founded the American Homebrewers Association in Boulder, Colorado. The organization was launched through the publication of the first issue of Zymurgy, a twelve-page magazine that introduced the association, publicized the new federal homebrewing exemption, and invited brewers to enter the first AHA National Homebrew Competition. The AHA provided an organizational and educational center for the expanding American homebrewing community. Through Zymurgy, competitions, conferences, and advocacy, it helped connect amateur brewers and became an important bridge between the revival of homebrewing and the development of the modern independent craft-beer movement in the United States.