Skip to main content

Homebrew Con is Three Days of Heaven for the Homebrewer

Home-Brew-Con-42
PHOTO © BREWERS ASSOCIATION

The 2017 edition of Homebrew Con brings craft beer competition and camaraderie to Minneapolis.

Beer festivals are obviously great places to learn about beer. You can sample different styles, discover new breweries, and sometimes even meet the brewers themselves. But if you make your own beer, you may be ready for the next step in beer knowledge: attending a home brewing convention.

Recommended Videos

Homebrew Con is the must-attend destination for amateur brewing enthusiasts. The 2017 edition of the popular convention will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Minneapolis Convention Center from June 15 through July 17, 2017. These three days will be filled with interactive learning sessions and social gatherings centered around all things beer.

Of course, beer sampling is a big part of the event. Tasting innovative beers from home brewers all over the world can provide plenty of inspiration for your next batch. But Homebrew Con’s real draw is the wide range of demonstrations and workshops available. Over 3,000 beer lovers are expected to attend and hear from craft beer industry experts like Surly Brewing Company founder Omar Ansari.

Home-Brew-Con-18
Photo © Brewers Association Image used with permission by copyright holder

Other convention highlights include the final round of judging for the National Homebrew Competition, an “Ask Me Anything” panel with beer author John J. Palmer and “Brewing Dreams: Stories about Going Pro” with professional brewers telling how they made the leap from garage brewing to the big leagues.

Brewing history buffs can also learn about the nearly-forgotten style of Molasses Beer, how to master mead production, and even hear from a paleontologist on the origins of key brewing ingredients. Science-based inquiries into production methods and recipes will be discussed, from dry yeast bottle conditioning to barrel aging alternatives.

For any home brewers looking to take their craft to the next level, Homebrew Con has something for you. Homebrew Con is organized by the American Homebrewers Association, which is approaching its 40th year in existence and claims over 46,000 members.

Photos provided by © Brewers Association

Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…
Show off the best of your tequila with these bright, fruity cocktails
Tequila and fruit is a beloved combination
batch tequila sunrise

Some combinations are just an easy win, like gin and tonic, or rum and coke. And when it comes to tequila, the natural partner of that spirit is always going to be bright fruit flavors. From sharp grapefruit to tangy pineapple, fruit juices make for a great base for a tequila cocktail -- and we have recipes to demonstrate, including one batch recipe for easy party hosting.
Dulce Vida Classic Paloma

Ingredients:

Read more
World Whiskey Society is releasing Doc Holliday Bottled in Bond Bourbon
World Whiskey Society is launching a new Doc Holliday expression
Pouring a glass of whiskey

Fans of limited-edition whiskeys know all about the prowess of the World Whiskey Society. Now, the popular brand known for its ultra-premium portfolio of rare whiskeys is set to launch a new, soon-to-be highly sought-after expression.
Doc Holliday Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Doc Holliday Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the iconic brand's newest release. It joins the portfolio that already includes 7, 8, 10, 11, and 15-year-old expressions.

Read more
How is decaf coffee made? Inside the process that takes caffeine out
The journey from raw beans to decaf
coffee bean

All coffee beans are naturally caffeinated in their raw state. But, thanks to a discovery by Ludwig Roselius in 1903, we can now enjoy decaf coffee as an alternative, perfect for enjoying the flavor of coffee without caffeine. The question of "regular or decaf?" is a familiar one, but less often do we think about how decaf coffee is made. Before it is roasted and bagged for your enjoyment, decaf coffee beans go through a lengthy process to become decaffeinated. Below, explore some insight into the journey of your decaf coffee beans before it gets to you.
The origins of decaf coffee

German coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius first created the concept of coffee without caffeine by accident. After his father passed away from consuming too much caffeine, he discovered that coffee beans immersed in seawater lost their caffeine content. Known as the "Roselius" process, this method involved using a saltwater solution and benzene to remove caffeine from coffee beans.

Read more