Homebrew Con 2026 is back—and yes, the world’s biggest homebrew party is returning in full force. After a pause since 2023, your newly independent American Homebrewers Association and our incredible volunteer leaders are beyond ready to raise a pint with you in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. This marks the 46th year of Homebrew Con, and we’re coming back strong.
Join us June 19–20, 2026, with the National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony and Knock-Out Party on June 20 at the Renaissance, and all other conference events hosted at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville.
HBC is volunteer-run and sponsorship-fueled. Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting? Apply to sponsor/exhibit, get more information, or reach out to Eric Vicharelli at partnerships@homebrewersassociation.org.
Registration
Registration is $334.95 per person, and you must be an AHA member to attend (because this party is for the people who make this all possible). Grab your ticket NOW—HBC is smaller this year, and we do anticipate a sellout.
Schedule
| Date | Event | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 6/18 | NHC Judging | TBD | TBD |
| Thursday 6/18 | Exhibitor and Club Night Move In | 10:00am | 6:00pm |
| Thursday 6/18 | Registration | 3:00pm | 6:30pm |
| Thursday 6/18 | AHA Club Officer Boot Camp | 3:30pm | 5:30pm |
| Thursday 6/18 | Various Brewery Tours | TBD | TBD |
| Date | Event | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 6/19 | Exhibitor and Club Night Move In | 7:00am | 12:00pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Registration | 8:00am | 5:00pm |
| Friday 6/19 | BJCP Exam (Beer Written)* | 9:00am | 10:30am |
| Friday 6/19 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 9:30am | 10:15am |
| Friday 6/19 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 10:30am | 11:15am |
| Friday 6/19 | BJCP Exam (Cider Judging)* | 11:00am | 12:30pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 11:30am | 12:15pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 12:30pm | 1:15pm |
| Friday 6/19 | AHA General Session + Justin Crossley Headline Speaker! | 1:30pm | 2:30pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Homebrew Expo and Homebrew Hospitality | 2:30pm | 9:00pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 2:30pm | 3:15pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 3:30pm | 4:15pm |
| Friday 6/19 | BJCP Member Meeting | 3:30pm | 4:30pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Ignite Talks | 5:00pm | 7:00pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Club Night | 6:00pm | 9:00pm |
| Friday 6/19 | Club Night Tear Down | 9:15pm | 11:00pm |
| Date | Event | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 6/20 | Registration | 7:30am | 3:00pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Club Night Tear Down | 7:30am | 10:30am |
| Saturday 6/20 | BJCP Exam (Mead Judging)* | 9:00am | 10:30am |
| Saturday 6/20 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 9:00am | 9:45am |
| Saturday 6/20 | BJCP Exam (Beer Judging)* | 11:00am | 12:30pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 10:00am | 10:45am |
| Saturday 6/20 | Homebrew Expo and Homebrew Hospitality | 11:00am | 3:00pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 11:00am | 11:45am |
| Saturday 6/20 | Ignite Talks | 11:30am | 2:30pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 12:00pm | 12:45pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 1:00pm | 1:45pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | AHA Member Gathering | 1:00pm | 2:00pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Brewers Talks and Product Demos | 2:00pm | 2:45pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Exhibitor Move-Out and Club Night Teardown | 4:00pm | 9:00pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | NHC Awards Ceremony Doors Open (Hosted at The Renaissance) | 5:30pm | 6:00pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | NHC Awards Ceremony (Hosted at The Renaissance) | 6:00pm | 7:30pm |
| Saturday 6/20 | Knock Out Party (Hosted at The Renaissance) | 7:30pm | 8:30pm |
Note About BJCP Exams
- Pre-registration is required directly through the BJCP. A Homebrew Con ticket is not required. Sign up with the BJCP here.
- Questions about BJCP exams? Contact the BJCP Exam Director at exam_director@bjcp.org. AHA staff cannot answer questions about BJCP exams.
- These exams take place during Homebrew Con but are not part of conference registration. If you’d like to attend the conference, purchase your Homebrew Con ticket separately while supplies last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Homebrew Con Basics
What is Homebrew Con 2026?
Homebrew Con is the ultimate gathering of homebrewers from around the world: two days of learning, sharing, community, and celebrating the hobby we all love.
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Dates: June 19–20, 2026
NHC Final Round Judging: June 17–18, 2026
What is new at Homebrew Con this year?
Homebrew Con 2026 is expected to be a smaller, more intimate event with approximately 1,000 attendees, and a sell-out is likely. That is different from 2022 and 2023, which each welcomed approximately 1,300 attendees.
This year’s event will feel more festival-style than traditional professional conference: expect wristbands instead of badges, a smaller but highly engaged Homebrew Expo, Homebrew Hospitality inside the Expo area, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow homebrewers.
What does full conference registration include?
Full conference registration includes two full days of conference fun, Brewers Talks, Ignite Talks, Homebrew Expo, Homebrew Hospitality, Club Night, the National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony, and the Knock Out Party at the Renaissance downtown.
Is there a one-day registration option?
No, Homebrew Con 2026 does not offer one-day registration. Full conference registration is the only registration option.
Does registration include meals?
Homebrew samples are included. Meals are not included, though light snacks will be available during the NHC Awards.
Additional food options and dining details will be shared closer to the event. Asheville has no shortage of good eats; find recommendations at ExploreAsheville.com.
Where can I find the latest schedule?
The latest Homebrew Con schedule is available at HomebrewCon.org.
Is there a keynote speaker?
This year, Homebrew Con will feature a Headline Speaker rather than a traditional keynote. Justin Crossley is our Headline Speaker. He will present during the AHA General Session on Friday.
Are commemorative beer bottles being handed out at check-in?
No. Commemorative beer bottles will not be distributed at attendee check-in this year. Additional information about special offerings from the Brew Billies will be shared when available.
What transportation is recommended from the Asheville airport?
If you are flying into Asheville Regional Airport, Lyft or Uber is recommended for transportation to hotels and downtown locations.Public bus transportation is also available.
For more travel information, visit ExploreAsheville.com.
Club Night & Personal Homebrew
What is Club Night?
Club Night is dedicated to celebrating homebrewing and homebrew clubs. Clubs from across the country bring elaborate setups to showcase their best homebrew offerings, often with creative themes, costumes, tap setups, and serious homebrew pride.
Attendees sample beverages served by the exhibiting clubs, while club members themselves become the stars of the evening. Expect approximately 20–40 clubs pouring and showing off what makes the homebrew community so special.
Think beer festival meets neighborhood block party.
Can I bring a guest to Club Night?
Yes. A limited Club Night Social Ticket is available as an add-on for AHA members who register for Homebrew Con.
Club Night Social Tickets are limited to 200 total and are available on a first-purchased, first-secured basis. One guest ticket is available per full conference registrant. If your guest is not currently an AHA member, the Social Ticket includes a complimentary two-month AHA membership.
Does a Club Night Social Ticket include access to the NHC Awards Ceremony?
No. A Club Night Social Ticket provides access to Club Night only.
Access to educational sessions, conference programming, and the National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony is included only with full conference registration due to venue capacity and safety requirements. The NHC Awards Ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel does not have capacity beyond full conference attendees.
If you would like to watch the NHC Awards on Saturday evening but are not registered for the full conference, keep an eye out for the livestream link closer to the event.
I am attending Homebrew Con for the first time and am not part of a club. Can I share my homebrew?
Absolutely. Personal homebrew inside the Civic Center is permitted for sensory analysis and educational sharing during the event, whether or not you are serving in an officially scheduled capacity.
Please limit personal beverages to a modest amount: no more than four bottles or cans per registered attendee.Plan to carry them in a backpack or small bag and share organically with fellow attendees.
What is the Club Portal?
This year, all clubs serving homebrew in an officially scheduled capacity will use a new Club Portal.The primary contact listed on the club application will receive portal access to add club members, submit the beverages being served, and manage club participation details.
Homebrew Expo & Homebrew Hospitality
What should I expect from the Homebrew Expo this year?
Expect a smaller, more intimate Homebrew Expo with highly engaged exhibitors. Marketplace conditions mean fewer suppliers are exhibiting this year, but attendees can still expect meaningful conversations, resources, and homebrew-focused connections.
The Homebrew Expo will also be open during Club Night. Check the official schedule for timing.
What is Homebrew Hospitality?
Homebrew Hospitality is a combined version of the former Social Club and Meetup experiences.This year, it will take place inside the Homebrew Expo area.
Thank You to Our 2026 Homebrew Con Sponsors
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