American Homebrewers Association Toasts National Homebrew Day

BOULDER, CO – Celebrating one of America’s fastest growing hobbies, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) invites homebrewers and beer aficionados around the world to toast National Homebrew Day with AHA Big Brew. This worldwide event brings together thousands of homebrewers from around the globe, all brewing the same beers, and highlighted by a toast at noon Central Standard Time on Saturday, May 4.

“AHA Big Brew is an opportunity for the global community of beer lovers to come together and enjoy the fruits of homebrewing,” said Gary Glass, director, American Homebrewers Association. “It’s a time to celebrate those who perfect their passion for homemade beers and share them with their friends and loved ones. Homebrewers have a lot to celebrate, as this craft continues to grow. Big Brew lends itself to the spirit of collaboration and community.”

In 1988, Congress declared May 7 National Homebrew Day. A decade later, the AHA created Big Brew to celebrate National Homebrew Day. Now every year on the first Saturday in May, homebrewers come together to share their love for the hobby through AHA Big Brew, raising glasses to celebrate the art of homebrewing.

Around the world, AHA Big Brew participants are encouraged to host events and brew the same beer. This year’s recipes include a Belgian Blonde Ale, an English Dark Mild Ale and an American Pilsner, which come from the 7th annual Great American Beer Festival┬« Pro-Am Competition, held October 2012 in Denver.

In 2012, an estimated 7,100 people participated in the AHA National Homebrew Day at 254 registered sites, spanning 44 U.S. states and nine countries. Homebrewers cooked up 1,500 batches, equal to more than 11,200 gallons of sumptuous libations for all.

Homebrewing came to America when the first English settlers arrived in the New World. The forefathers of our country were active homebrewers and it’s still practiced in the White House today. Since it was legalized in 1978, homebrewing has been continuously on the rise, and the AHA estimates more than one million people in the United States brew beer at home at least once a year.

A complete list of AHA Big Brew events makes it easy to celebrate and register for a local AHA Big Brew event. Follow the festivities on Twitter with #BigBrew13.

Fun Hombrewing Facts:

  • Cheers with homemade beers: AHA Big Brew gives homebrewers an opportunity to get together to share their love for the hobby. At noon CDT on May 4, 2013, raise your glasses in a simultaneous toast to homebrewing and the happiness it brings to us all.
  • Homebrewers are growing in number: There are an estimated 1,000,000 + homebrewers in the United States, and the American Homebrewers Association has more than 37,000 dedicated members.
  • Homebrew shops see big gains: As of 2010, homebrew shops grew 16% in gross revenue; additionally, 82% of homebrew shops saw gains in the sales of Homebrew Starter Kits.
  • Most states have legalized homebrewing: 49 states have legalized at-home beer brewing, and Alabama has legislation currently pending.

About the American Homebrewers Association:

The American Homebrewers Association has worked on behalf of the homebrewing community since 1978 and celebrates a membership of more than 37,000 homebrewers. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) organizes events including the National Homebrewers Conference and National Homebrew Competition. The AHA also publishes Zymurgy magazine. The AHA is part of the Brewers Association, whose Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers and anyone interested in making their own homemade beer are invited to learn more at HomebrewersAssociation.org. Follow the AHA on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

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