The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has been following the situation around COVID-19 as it relates to all the judge centers across the country in the National Homebrew Competition (NHC) First Round.

We have been closely monitoring updates and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as state and local restrictions and precautionary measure requirements for specific size gatherings. We have also been actively following travel advisories and restrictions being placed on health care providers and hospitals and institutions in the U.S.

As of today, given the developments over the past 48 hours, we have made the difficult decision to indefinitely postpone all judging in the 2020 National Homebrew Competition. We are investigating options for resumption of judging, but if we are not able to find a solution that maintains the quality of the competition and our commitments to entrants, we will cancel the competition and refund entry fees.

We are grateful to all of you who brewed and entered, as well as those who planned on volunteering your time to judge and steward. It is heartbreaking to suspend the 2020 NHC, but the safety and health of the judge center volunteers, including organizing teams, judges, stewards, and host businesses is paramount to the American Homebrewers Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

What led to the decision to postpone?

The American Homebrewers Association did not make this decision lightly. As recently as early this week, the competition was still scheduled to take place. However, developments over the past 48 hours have led to concerns that going forward with judging could be putting the health of our volunteer organizers, judges, stewards, and host businesses at risk.

Will some NHC First Round judge centers still take place?

As of now, all First Round judging in the 2020 National Homebrew Competition is indefinitely postponed until further notice.

If the competition is cancelled, what is the entrant refund policy?

In the event that the competition is cancelled, entrants will receive an email from the AHA with details on how and when entry fees will be reimbursed.

What happens to my beer that was shipped/dropped-off for the competition?

We are exploring options. Stay tuned for more information.

Will the American Homebrewers Association reimburse my shipping costs for my beer?

In the event the AHA cancels the competition, the AHA will be incurring significant expense and loss of revenue, and so the AHA will not be in a position to refund shipping costs.

Homebrew Con

Will Homebrew Con be cancelled?

With Homebrew Con still 3 months away, the AHA is moving forward with plans to host Homebrew Con in Nashville. However, if the current situation does not improve and we have reason to be concerned about the safety and health of attendees, we will cancel and refund attendee registration fees.

For additional questions, please contact nhc@brewersassociation.org.

Cheers,

John Moorhead

Director, National Homebrew Competition

American Homebrewers Association