Locals bring home NHC hardware

Over the weekend, winning homebrews, amateur brewers and homebrew clubs were announced from the National Homebrew Competition. Held as part of the American Homebrewers Association’s annual event, Homebrew Con, this is the nation’s largest competition for recreational fermentationists. Many winners have gone on to have successful careers in the brewing industry, with some opening their own breweries. Of course, that’s not the goal of all of the entrants, many of whom simply love the art of brewing and spirit of creation, and spend years honing their skills from the comfort of home.

San Diego’s homebrewing community is large, active and one of the reasons the county has become and remains such a hotbed of brewing innovation. Historically, local homebrewers have fared extremely well at NHC, particularly those affiliated with award-winning homebrew club QUAFF (Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity). This year was no different. Locals accounted for 10 medals in as many categories, totaling three golds, three silvers and four bronzes.

The biggest winner of them all was Doug Brown, who earned a gold in the Pilsner category (which had the most entries with 146), a silver in Dark European Lager, a bronze in Pale Malty European Beer, and scored an assist with fellow QUAFFer Dan Stoneman for his bronze-winning British-style stout.

“It’s a thrill to bring some hardware back to San Diego and QUAFF this year,” says Brown, who, prior to this year, had never won at the NHC. “Hopefully, we can build on this next year, as we really want to represent strong when the competition will be back on our home turf for the first time since 2015!”

Other winners from QUAFF included Scott Voak, who nabbed a gold in the Spice Mead category, and Jared Rowley (a back-to-back alum of San Diego Beer News’ Homebrew Summer program) who snagged a silver for his Irish-style stout.

“Seeing my name called amongst the other national winners was exciting,” says Rowley. “I was watching the livestream with my son, Taylor, in my arms. When I saw I got second, I jumped up and screamed, ‘fuck yes!’ I might have scared him a little bit. Oops.”

Robert Knipper of local club, the Society of Barley Engineers, took silver in the American Strong Ale category. Of the independent (non-club-affiliated) winners, the most noteworthy was Eric Bridges, who earned a bronze in the hotly contested American IPA category, which had 117 entries. Bridges recently took over the former site of North Park’s Home Brewing Co. and is less than a month away from reopening it as El Cid Brewing.

“That beer will be on tap at El Cid as Knifehand IPA,” says Bridges. “It’s the only award I have ever won in my years as a homebrewer. Perfect timing if you ask me.”

The following is a complete list of San Diego County winners, including club affiliations…

Gold Medalists

• American Porter & Stout (86 entries): Billy Lambert with Theresa Wilks
• Pilsner (146): Doug Brown, QUAFF
• Spice Mead (24): Scott Voak, QUAFF

Silver Medalists

• Dark European Lager (108): Doug Brown, QUAFF
• Irish Stout (36): Jared Rowley, QUAFF
• Strong American Ale (76): Robert Knipper, Society of Barley Engineers

Bronze Medalists

• Amber European Beer (110): John Arnold
• American IPA (117): Eric Bridges
• British Stout (48): Dan Stoneman with Doug Brown, QUAFF
• Pale Malty European Beer (110): Doug Brown, QUAFF