First Heimbrau Convention Is Held at Schloss Romrod

Between March 8 and March 10, 2019, the inaugural Heimbrau Convention (HBCon) took place at Schloss Romrod in Hesse, Germany. Initiated by members of the German-speaking homebrewing forum hobbybrauer.de, the event was created as a meeting place for educational exchange, technical training, and networking among amateur brewers. From its inception, the convention emphasized community exchange and operating without a profit motive. The first program included lectures and workshops on brewing, sensory evaluation seminars, a homebrew competition conducted according to Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) guidelines, and an informal “Open Bottle Night.” A Brewer’s Campus provided information stands for technical discussion and exchange. The convention subsequently continued under Heimbrauconvention e.V., with volunteer organizers and helpers supporting its educational and community activities. Before the first edition, organizer Bodo Wester expected more than 350 people to take part. The initial allocation of 300 tickets sold out in just over a week, and a further 25 tickets were released in November 2018. The gathering brought members of the online homebrewing community together in person, combining practical learning with shared tastings and feedback on their beers.