We are moving into the busy season of 2012 and want to keep you posted on the latest events going on in homebrewing.  With competition season and the National Homebrewers Conference coming up, there are plenty of good reasons to get out there and brew.

Main Topics:

National Homebrewers Conference Registration Opens
GEBL Hop Madness IPA Challenge
PinBrew Homebrew Competition
Sasquatch Homebrew Competition
Joint Base Lewis McChord Homebrew Competition
Joint Cascade Brewers Cup and Puget Sound Pro-Am
National Homebrew Competition

National Homebrewers Conference Registration Opening

Registration for the National Homebrewers Conference opens February 1st.  We expect the conference to sell out fairly quickly so if you are considering going, go ahead and register now.  You will be able to get registered and find out more about the conference at www.ahaconference.org.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind.  The conference runs from June 21st to June 23rd.  Purchase of any of the packages will get you access to the social functions like the hospitality suite, keynote speakers, club night, and pro night.  If you want to attend the educational seminars, you need to get the "full" package.  If you want to attend the awards banquet, you need to make sure that you buy a package that includes that.  There will be pre-conference events (beer tours and dinners) but that is separate from the conference.  Details on those will be available in early spring.

You must be an AHA member to buy tickets (so join today).  Each member is allowed to also purchase a pass for a guest.  You could use this to purchase a pass for a significant other or friend.  But basically, if someone plans to be at the actual conference events, you are going to need a pass.

When they open registration, they will also post the special link for reserving a room at the conference hotel for a discounted rate.  There are only a limited number of slots of those rooms available so if you want to have the convenience of not having to leave the hotel, make your reservation early.

You can find out more about attending the conference in our article here, but basically, this is a once in a life-time chance to attend a conference in your own back yard so take advantage of it today.  If you have more questions about the conference, you can contact your club rep or a WAHA board member.

GEBL Hop Madness IPA Bracket Challenge

Get your entries in for the 2012 GEBL Hop Madness IPA Bracket Challenge.  Entries for this fun head-to-head IPA competition are due Jan 31st so hurry and drop them off.  This is a WHOTY qualifier and one of the most fun competitions to participate in.  Video of the final bracket playoffs will be streamed online so you can watch your beer progress.  Judges are needed for the competition on February 4th.  You can find out everything you need to know at www.gebl.org and get your entries registered (as well as sign up to judge) at www.wahomebrewers.org/hopmadness.

PinBrew Homebrew Competition

What is could be better than homebrew and pinball?  A new competition in Tacoma aims to prove that with the first ever PinBrew Competition.  This event will combine a homebrew competition with a regulation pinball competition.  It should be a great time for entrants and judges.  Entries are due Feb 2nd with judging on Feb 4th.  You can find more details at http://www.wahomebrewers.org/competitions/390-pinbrew-homebrew-competition

Sasquatch Ale Homebrew Competition

Do you want to help design a fun new beer style to be featured at the 2012 National Homebrewers Competition?  The WAHA has put together the Sasquatch Ale Homebrew Competition to help design a "Sasquatchian Ale."  What is a Sasquatchian Ale?  That is up for you to decide.  The winning beer will be scaled up to a barrel sized batch and served by Sasquatch himself at the NHC.  Entries are due February 8th and you must be a member of a Washington Club to enter.  You can find more details at http://www.wahomebrewers.org/competitions/383-sasquatch-ale-homebrew-competition and register online at http://www.wahomebrewers.org/sasquatch.

Joint Base Lewis McChord Brewfest

The Joint Base Lewis McChord Brewfest is back for 2012.  This competition focuses around Pale Ales, IPAs, Stouts, and Porters and is capped off by a festival on the base where homebrewers can serve their beers to the festival attendees.  Entries are due March 5th and judging will commence on the 5th as well.  You can find more details on the competition at http://jblmmwr.com/brewfest/index.html

Joint Cascade Brewers Cup and Puget Sound Pro-Am

For 2012, the two largest competitions in Washington have joined forces to bring you the Joint Cascade Brewers Cup and Puget Sound Pro-Am.  It'll feature the same great judging and prizes you've come to expect from these competitions along with a chance to have your beer selected to be brewed by one of 16 or more local breweries.  Many of these entries will go on to the Great American Beer Festival's Pro-Am competition.  Entries are due March 3rd with the main judging to be held March 10th.  Find out more about the competition and what breweries will be looking for at http://www.wahomebrewers.org/jcbcpspa.  Get your entries registered and sign up to judge at http://www.wahomebrewers.org/cbc.  This is a WHOTY qualifier.

National Homebrew Competition

The first round of the National Homebrew Competition is just around the corner.  With the second round of the competition taking place in Bellevue during the National Homebrewers Conference, this is a chance to make the most of your homefield advantage.  The closest regional location will be in Portland with entries being due March 28th.  We will likely have an unofficial Seattle drop location(s) where you can pay a small shipping fee to have your entries transported down to Portland (check back on the WAHA site for more details).

The Portland judging will occur the weekend of April 21st at Hopworks Urban Brewery and they will need judges.  Consider taking the weekend to head down to Portland for the judging (and enjoy yourself while you are down there).  Check around your club to see if there are other judges interested in carpooling down for a fun weekend.

You can find out more about the National Homebrew Competition at http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/competitions/national-homebrew-competition

We hope to see you soon at a competition and don't forget to get registered quickly for the AHA conference!