2026 San Francisco Homebrewers Guild 
​“Homebrewer of the Year” Competition Series Rules

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SFHG will once again host several BJCP-sanctioned competitions in 2026.

Points earned by club members in the club-only competitions, plus points earned by placing in certain outside competitions, are added up to determine who is the 2026 SFHG Homebrewer of the Year. The winner will have their name engraved on the SFHG HOY trophy cup and will bask in the adulation of their peers.

Brewers may earn points toward HoY by entering the three (3) BJCP competitions hosted by the SFHG in 2026. All competitions will require two (2) 12 oz. bottles for entry. The competitions being hosted by BJCP this year are as follows:

• Kicking off the 2026 SFHG Club Member Competitions will begin on April 15 (Tax Day) with a Maibock / Helles Bock (BJCP 4C), which is defined by the stylemasters as: "A relatively pale, strong, malty German lager with a nicely attenuated finish that enhances drinkability. The hop character is generally more apparent and the malt character less deeply rich than in other Bocks." Commercial examples include Altenmünster Maibock, Ayinger Maibock, Chuckanut Maibock, Einbecker Mai-Urbock, Hacker-Pschorr Hubertus Bock, Hofbräu Maibock, Mahr’s Heller Bock. Many Bay Area Trader Joe's (including Daly City and Millbrae locations) currently have an excellent Enegren Brewing Maibock. Entries are due by/at the April SFHG club meeting. 

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• The second competition will be the annual People's Choice competition at the club's annual picnic in Golden Gate Park in July. The goal of this competition is to brew (and bring) your “Best” beer to the picnic. The style you brew is completely up to you and will be voted on by all club members in attendance and their drinking age family members/guests. This is a good opportunity to not worry about style guides and just brew and bring you tastiest. Entries are due by/at the July SFHG Golden Gate Park picnic (exact date TBD).

 

• The third competition will be a real historical curve ball, the Piwo Grodzizkie (BJCP 27A) which will be in August. The BJCP calls it "A low-gravity, bitter, oak-smoked historical central European wheat beer with a clean fermentation profile and no sourness. Highly carbonated, dry, crisp, and refreshing." This one doesn’t need to be a smoke bomb, the BJCP flavor profile specifically states “The smoke character is gentle, should not be acrid, and can lend an impression of sweetness.” Commercial examples include Live Oak Grodziskie. Entries are due by/at the August SFHG club meeting.

 

• The final competition of the year is a more recognizable Old World beer, the Belgian Triple (BJCP 26C). Stock up on your Belgian Candi Sugar and don’t wait until the last minute to brew this 7.5% - 9.5% ABV beast as it can take some time to be tamed. Per the BJCP this is a “A strong, pale, somewhat spicy Belgian ale with a pleasant rounded malt flavor, firm bitterness, and dry finish. Quite aromatic, with spicy, fruity, and light alcohol notes combining with the supportive clean malt character to produce a surprisingly drinkable beverage considering the high alcohol content.” Commercial examples include Chimay Tripel, La Rulles Tripel, La Trappe Tripel, St. Bernardus Tripel, Val-Dieu Triple, Westmalle Tripel. Entries are due by/at the October SFHG club meeting.  

Winners in the club competitions earn points in the SFHG Homebrewer of the Year (HOY) competition. Those who participate in all four of the club competitions earn a bonus point towards HOY. Members also earn points in the HOY competition by placing in BJCP-sanctioned competitions during the year. 

SFHG members may also earn points toward the SFHG HOY Award by winning a ribbon in the following competitions:

​Bay Area Mashers “World Cup of Beer”
○ Due Date: March 12th, 2026 
○ Award Date: March 29th, 2026

Mayfaire Competition
○ Due Date: April 10th, 2026 
○ Award Date: April 25th, 2026

California State Fair
○ Due Date: April 19th, 2026 
○ Award Date: April 26th, 2026

Alameda County Fair Homebrew Competition
○ Due Date: May 15, 2026 
○ Award Date: May 30, 2026

Barebottle Proam Homebrew Invitational
○ Due Date: May 28, 2026 
○ Award Date: May 31, 2026

Marin County Fair Homebrew Competition
○ Due Date: June 4, 2026 
○ Award Date: First week of July 2026

Santa Clara County Home Brew Competition
○ Due Date: July 16, 2026 
○ Award Date: Late July - Mid August 2026

California State Homebrew Competition
○ Due Date: Usually in October (info will be on website linked above)
○ Award Date: TBD

See the BJCP Competition Calendar for additional competitions.