Homebrewing has become a pretty big deal in recent years, but it’s been around for a long, long time. In fact, back in 1988, Congress declared the very first National Homebrew Day, to be held annually every year on the first Saturday in May. How convenient for us.
To celebrate, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) created an event called AHA Big Brew where homebrewers from around the world brew the same beers at the same time. They’re expecting more than 7,000 homebrewers to join in on the good times this year.
Homebrewers can choose to brew one or more of the three official recipes for this year. All of the 2014 Big Brew recipes are gold medal winners from last year’s competition in BJCP categories 10 – Pale Ale, 13 – Stout, and 4 – Dark Lager.
- Regal Pale Ale: This recipe from Heath and Eileen Haynes popped into Heath’s head after stopping in the Naples Restaurant to order a Drifter Pale Ale from Widmer Brothers on a trip to Disney World.
- Split Open and Melt Imperial Stout: The name for this beer was inspired by Phish and brewer Pat Craddock grew his Chinook and East Kent Goldings hops to brew this recipe.
- Black Dog Lager Schwarzbier: This German dark lager by Jeffrey Lewis is the first Schwarzbier to ever make an appearance as a recipe for Big Brew.
At noon Central Time, homebrewers around the world are supposed to raise their glasses for a simultaneous toast to homebrewing; a symbol of companionship, friendship, and the shared loved of flavorful beer.
Don’t have time to brew today, or just want to do even more to celebrate? Check out the AHA’s official listed of registered Big Brew events going on today in your state.
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