Several Minnesota homebrewers returned from AHA’s National Homebrewers Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan with heads held high and awards held even higher. Over 8,000 brewers across the country took part in the competition last weekend. Seven Minnesotans placed in the top 3 of their entered categories, a remarkable feat. We have a lot of talent here in Minnesota.

Chris Smith, Brett Glenna, Steve Fletty
Picture via @EganPatty
Minnesota Home Brewers Association won the Gambrinus Club Award.
Named for King Gambrinus, the (unofficial) Patron Saint of Beer, this award is given to the club having the most Final Round points per the number of entries from the club in the National Homebrew Competition. Matthew Weide, Brett Glenna, and Sean Kampshoff combined to earn the prize for their club, MHBA.
“This year’s National Homebrew Competition fielded the largest group of entrants in the competition’s 36 year history. The level of competition has never been higher, meaning the National Homebrew Competition winners are truly among the most talented brewers in the world.”
-AHA director Gary Glass.
Matthew Weide took home Meadmaker of the year & 1st place for his Melomel (fruit mead). The Meadmaker of the Year award is awarded to the maker of the mead of all gold medal winners in all three mead categories.
1st Place
Matthew Weide
Melomel (Fruit Mead) 25C
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
1st Place
Sean Kampshoff
Specialty Beer 23A
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
1st Place
Steve Fletty
Other Mead 26A
Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
2nd Place
Brett Glenna
Standard Cider and Perry 27A
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
2nd Place
Christopher Smith
Specialty Cider and Perry 28B
Northern Brewer Fermentation Brigade
3rd Place
Juma Essie
German Wheat and Rye Beer 15A
Nordeast Brewers Alliance
3rd Place
Mike Spores
Light Lager 1A
Saint Paul Homebrewers Club