Awards

The AHA National Homebrew Competition (NHC) is unique among competitions when it comes to awards! The First Round of the competition takes place in April at eleven (11) U.S. Judging Centers. Entrants can receive gold, silver or bronze certificates depending on the score received for their entry. First Round winners also receive a ribbon for each winning entry, and qualify to compete in the NHC Final Round. The top three entries (with scores greater than 30) in each of the eleven (11) U.S. Judging Centers all compete for National Homebrew Competition medals and larger awards In the Final Round.

The AHA National Homebrew Competition Final Round is judged on Thursday during the AHA National Homebrewers Conference each year in June.

First Round Award Certificates

Gold Certificate	Earned by entries scoring 38 to 50 points in the NHC First Round.
Silver Certificate	Earned by entries scoring 30 to 37 points in the NHC First Round.
Bronze Certificate	Earned by entries scoring 25 to 29 points in the NHC First Round.

Certificates are awarded separately from the ribbons and DO NOT indicate winning first, second or third place within a category or advancement to the Final Round.

Ribbons

Brewers whose entries place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the First Round with a score greater than 30 points are awarded ribbons for their achievement, and the entry qualifies to advance to the Final Round of the National Homebrew Competition.

Final Round Awards

Medals

Brewers with entries placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the NHC Final Round receive gold, silver, or bronze (respectively) National Homebrew Competition medals.

Competition Awards

Ninkasi Award

Named for the Sumerian Goddess of Beer, this award is given to the brewer having the most wins in the Final Round of the National Homebrew Competition. Brewers earn points toward the award by placing in the 23 beer categories, the 3 mead categories, and the 2 cider categories during the Final Round. Gold Medals earn 6 points, Silver Medals earn 4 points and Bronze Medals earn 2 points. At least 2 points must come from an entry in a beer category to qualify for this award. See Part III - Section C(5) of the 2013 Rules and Regulations for Ninkasi tiebreaker details.

Homebrew Club of the Year

The Homebrew Club of the Year award goes to the club that earns the most points in the six AHA Club-Only Competitions and in both rounds of the National Homebrew Competition. Clubs earn points on a 12-8-4 basis for first, second, and third place in the Club-Only Competitions, and earn points on a 6-4-2 basis for first, second, and third place in both the First and Final Rounds of the National Homebrew Competition.

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. To be eligible, clubs must have a minimum of 5 club members entering the First Round, and a minimum of 2 club members advancing to and at least one entry placing in the Final Round of the competition. Six points are awarded for a first place, four points for a second place and two points for a third place. See Part III - Section C(7) of the 2013 Rules and Regulations for tiebreaker detailes.

Homebrewer of the Year

Homebrewer of the Year is the best-of-show beer judged best from all gold medal winners in all 23 beer categories.

Meadmaker of the Year

Meadmaker of the Year is the best-of-show mead judged from all gold medal winners in all three mead categories.

Cidermaker of the Year

Cidermaker of the Year is the best of show cider judged from the gold medal winning ciders in the two cider categories.

Photos © Brewers Association