Many home brewers make a great pint or several in the comfort of their home and share it with friends and family. Now, they can get recognized for their brewing skills through the National Capital HomeBrew (NCHB) Competition.

For the competitions 3rd year they are confident the number of entries from years past will surpass the 150 mark with good reason. The homebrewing community in Ottawa is a key part of the rapidly growing craft beer culture in the region and beyond. A few years ago, there were just a handful of craft breweries in Ottawa. Today, there are 17 craft breweries and/or brewpubs in the area, including two just across the river in Gatineau, with at least four more opening in 2014. Most of these craft breweries began with homebrewing entrepreneurs. Homebrewing is growing alongside the craft beer scene, with over 500 homebrewers in the Ottawa area.

Homebrewers have until Thursday, July 24th to register. To make sure you’re on the list visit http://nationalcapitalhomebrew.tumblr.com/. Judging will take place on Thursday, July 24th at two locations that are yet to be confirmed. The highlight of the NCHB Competition will be the awards ceremony which will take place August 17th at the National Capital Craft Beer Festival being hosted at Marion Dewar Plaza, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West. All gold, silver and bronze medalists for each of the 23 categories will be awarded, plus, both the local and the national Best of Show winners.