2025 San Francisco Homebrewers Guild
“Homebrewer of the Year” Competition Series Rules
SFHG will once again host several BJCP-sanctioned competitions in 2025.
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 SFHG Homebrewer of the Year. The winnerwill have their name engraved on the SFHG HOY trophy cup and will bask in the adulation oftheir peers.
Brewers may earn points toward HoY by entering the three (3) BJCP competitions hosted by the SFHG in 2024. All competitions will require two (2) 12 oz. bottles for entry. The competitions being hosted by BJCP this year are as follows:
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: usually in March (info will be on website linked above and we’ll try to send out an update
when information is available)
○ Award Date: usually in April
● Mayfaire Competition
○ Due Date: Usually in April (info will be on website linked above and we’ll try to send out an update
when information is available)
○ Award Date: TBD
● California State Fair
○ Due Date: Usually in May (info will be on website linked above and we’ll try to send out an update when information is available)
○ Award Date: TBD
● California State Homebrew Competition
○ Due Date: Usually in October (info will be on website linked above and we run it so you’ll hear about it early and often)
○ Award Date: TBD
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 SFHG Homebrewer of the Year. The winnerwill have their name engraved on the SFHG HOY trophy cup and will bask in the adulation oftheir peers.
Brewers may earn points toward HoY by entering the three (3) BJCP competitions hosted by the SFHG in 2024. 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 2025 SFHG Club Member Competitions will begin in March with an Irish Red Ale (BJCP 15A), which is defined by the stylemasters as: "An easy-drinking pint, often with subtle flavors. Slightly malty in the balance sometimes with an initial soft toffee or caramel sweetness, a slightly grainy-biscuity palate, and a touch of roasted dryness in the finish. Some versions can emphasize the caramel and sweetness more, while others will favor the grainy palate and roasted dryness." Commercial examples include Franciscan Well Rebel Red, Kilkenny Irish Beer, O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale, Murphy’s Irish Red, Porterhouse Red Ale, Smithwick’s Irish Ale. I know that Smithwick's is regularly on tap at The Riptide in my neighborhood. Entries are due by the March meeting.
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 get members to experiment with some of the new hop products on the market -- Cryo hops, CO2 extracts, hop oils, hop hash, etc. The style you brew is up to you but come ready to explain the base style of the beer, the product you used and what you think it added to the finished beer. A good story and a tasty brew should add up to a ribbon once the votes are counted.
The third competition will be a return to Belgian Saisons (BJCP 25B) which will be in August -- just in time to have a fresh around to give to your farmhands as was the case in the olden days in Belgium. The style definition gives you a lot of room to express your creativity. The BJCP calls it "A family of refreshing, highly attenuated, hoppy, and fairly bitter Belgian ales with a very dry finish and high carbonation. Characterized by a fruity, spicy, sometimes phenolic fermentation profile, and the use of cereal grains and sometimes spices for complexity. Several variations in strength and color exist." Entries need to be labeled as to strength (table, standard or super) and as either a pale or dark variety. Commercial examples include Ellezelloise Saison 2000, Lefebvre Saison 1900, Saison Dupont, Saison de Pipaix, Saison Voisin, Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale. Entries are due by the August meeting.
The final competition of the year is another that is open to interpretation and is limited only by your imagination -- and probably your skill as a brewer as well :-). The concept is for a winter seasonal/winter warmer/holiday ale.
BJCP style 30C Winter Seasonals is defined as beers that suggest cold weather and the Christmas holiday season, and may include holiday spices, specialty sugars, and other products that are reminiscent of the festive season. The overall impression is of a stronger, darker, spiced beer that often has a rich body and warming finish suggesting a good accompaniment for the cold winter season. Per the BJCP the entrant must specify the type of spices, sugars, fruits, or additional fermentables used; individual ingredients do not need to be specified if a well-known blend of spices is used (e.g., mulling spice). Entrant must specify a description of the beer, identifying either a Base Style or the ingredients, specs, or target character of the beer. A general description of the special nature of the beer can cover all the required items. Entries are due by the October 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: usually in March (info will be on website linked above and we’ll try to send out an update
when information is available)
○ Award Date: usually in April
● Mayfaire Competition
○ Due Date: Usually in April (info will be on website linked above and we’ll try to send out an update
when information is available)
○ Award Date: TBD
● California State Fair
○ Due Date: Usually in May (info will be on website linked above and we’ll try to send out an update when information is available)
○ Award Date: TBD
● California State Homebrew Competition
○ Due Date: Usually in October (info will be on website linked above and we run it so you’ll hear about it early and often)
○ Award Date: TBD