2018 Club Barrel Brew Championship Brew
A Homebrew Club’s Chance for Fortune and Glory
Congratulations to the Main Line Brewers club for taking the top prize at the judging party on April 7th for their Dunkleweizen Dopplebock with cherries! 2nd place went to Riverside with their Imperial Oatmeal Stout while 3rd place went to Delco Wooder Works with their Chocolate Cherry Coffee Bean Russian Imperial Stout. The judges were thoroughly impressed with the caliber of this year’s brews but boy do they love cherries!
On Saturday July 21st, Keystone Homebrew is once again playing host to the 2018 edition of the Club Barrel Brew. As with previous years, each participating homebrew club will be given the free use of a freshly dumped barrel. Last year’s event saw TWELVE homebrew clubs fire up the brew system and brew everything from ESB to Imperial Rye Porter all aged in a 15 gallon Dad’s Hat Rye Whiskey barrel. The small format barrels made it easier for more clubs to participate and for some, to age in multiple barrels and blend or choose the best later.
There is no fee to participate in the event or to enter the competition, which is open to all regional homebrew clubs (subject to validation). Read on for details, and please fill out the sign-up form at the bottom of this page. You can find even more details on our page of frequently asked questions.
The EVENT Details:
Beers must be brewed at Keystone Homebrew Supply on Saturday, July 21st. We have plenty of space for your club to spread out and brew and clubs are assigned spaces on first come, first serve basis. Club may start arriving as early as 8am. Club’s can either take their barrel home or keep it at the Montgomeryville location with some restrictions to access. Each club determines their own recipe and aging schedule, brews their own beer on their own brew systems, and makes their own barrel additions (if any).
The Fortune and Glory Details:
A select group of unaffiliated and entirely incorruptible celebrity judges will judge the barrel brews during first round judging of NHC in 2019 which usually takes place in early April
The winning club, as determined by the celebrity panel, will receive 15 points toward the Keystone Cup and the 2019 Keystone Club Barrel Brew Champion Award, which will depend on the number of participating clubs:
Fewer than 15 participating clubs, $500 in Keystone Gift Certificates
15+ participating clubs, $1,000 in Keystone Gift Certificates
Not a Club Member?
Check out the Keystone Hops (Montgomeryville) or the Lehigh Valley Home brewers (Bethlehem) to be a part of great events like this! Too far? Visit the American Homebrewers Association for information about registered clubs.