How To Enter A Homebrew Competition

Entering a homebrew competition is a great way to showcase your brewing skills, gain recognition, and get feedback from qualified judges (rather than a bunch of mates that like free beer). 

If you are thinking about entering one, here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Find a competition that suits you. Check out local homebrew forum websites or ask at your local homebrew store. Look for competitions that have categories that match the style of beer you've brewed, and pay attention to the competition rules and deadlines
2. Choose a beer that you're confident with and that you've brewed before. Make sure you follow the style guidelines closely as judges will be looking for beers that are true to style.  A great tip for this is to taste your beer while reading the style guidelines (available on most homebrew competition websites) and ask yourself, “does this beer fit the style guidelines?”.  
3. Bottle your beer properly, using clean and sanitised bottles. Label each bottle with the necessary information, such as the name of the beer, the style, and the ABV.
4. Submit your entry according to the competition rules, which typically includes filling out an entry form and paying a fee. You'll also need to send in your bottles, either by shipping them or dropping them off at the designated location.
5. Wait for results. Once your beer has been judged, you'll receive feedback on your beer and find out how you placed in the competition. Use the feedback to improve your brewing skills and continue to enter competitions to gain experience and recognition.

Entering a homebrew competition can be a rewarding experience, and following these tips can help increase your chances of success.

Noble Barons are a proud sponsor of the Stroud Show Home Brew Competition, held 6 April 2024 and the Hunter Brew Comp run by Hunter United Brewers. This comp will be held on late in June 2024.