Celebrate National Homebrew Day

In 1988, May 7 was announced before Congress as National Homebrew Day. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) created AHA Big Brew as an annual event to celebrate National Homebrew Day around the world. AHA Big Brew is held each year on the first Saturday in May.

Anyone can host a Big Brew event, so invite your friends and family, gather around the brew kettle and join in the global celebration of the greatest hobby there is—homebrewing!

2018 Big Brew Event Map

2018 Official Recipes

Founded by Charlie Papazian in 1978, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary in 2018. Many have referred to Charlie as the “father of homebrewing” because of his many lifelong achievements expanding the hobby into the cultural phenomenon it is today. The popularity of homebrewing has grown substantially since Charlie first taught the world to relax, don’t worry, and have a homebrew. On January 23, 2019, Charlie will exit the Brewers Association more than 40 years after founding the AHA.

This year’s Big Brew recipes were handpicked by Charlie himself, who offered two of his favorite beers for homebrewers all over the world to brew together on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Whether you choose to brew one of the official recipes or something of your own design, we encourage you to raise a glass to Charlie Papazian during the simultaneous toast at 1 p.m. EDT, 12 p.m. CDT.

Rocky Raccoon’s Honey Lager

Download PDF files for this recipe: Extract | All-Grain

From Zymurgy Jul/Aug 2016: “Rocky Raccoon’s Honey Lager became one of the most popular—perhaps the most popular—recipe in my book. The idea of adding honey was first introduced with this recipe, and professional brewers and most beer drinkers thought I was nuts to use honey in beer. And the name ‘Rocky Raccoon’ seemed to strike a chord in more ways than one.” →Read more

Dusty Mud Irish-style Stout

Download PDF files for this recipe: Extract | All-Grain

From Zymurgy Nov/Dec 2000: “Sure, we know that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make an Irish style stout every bit as worthy as the classic brands from around the world. Yes it is simple. Anyone can do it, but the element of experience and years of brewing add something special that is not quite definable except perhaps as brewers pride. Yet you can taste the difference, can’t you?” →Read more

Download Spanish versions of the 2018 Big Brew Recipes (.zip)

Celebrate Big Brew in 2018

Don’t miss the simultaneous toast at 1:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CT on May 5, 2018!

• 5 Tips for Hosting a Big Brew Event
• How to Brew: explore this section for brewing tutorials, tips on making better beer and tasty recipes.
• Go Brew Yourself: request pamphlets for the new brewer. Order deadline is Friday, 4/27/18. 
• AHA bookstore or AHA merchandise: pick up the latest homebrewing books or issues of Zymurgy magazine.

Share the Experience

Be sure to share your stories, pictures and videos from Big Brew on the AHA’s Facebook and Twitter. Tag your posts with #BigBrew.

If you enjoyed your Big Brew experience, join the AHA and participate in our other events!