
Big Brew is an event unlike any other. First celebrated in 1998 as a way to commemorate National Homebrew Day, the AHA estimates that over 10,000 gallons of beer will be brewed at a Big Brew event in 2019. Each event is different, and we encourage you to use this event planning guide to make your Big Brew a success!
Plan your Big Brew celebration
- Register your Big Brew event with the AHA.
- Designate brew leaders and recruit fellow organizers to help you plan the event.
- Identify a location with brewing stations for your brew day.
- Connect with your local brewing community and invite them to be involved.
- If your organization/business is willing, we encourage you to plan your Big Brew event with a charitable element. Partnering with a local food pantry or housing shelter to host a canned food, or coat drive is a great aspect to add to your brew day.
March
- Order FREE copies of Go Brew Yourself, the AHA’s introduction to homebrewing pamphlet.
- Set up a meeting with confirmed participants & fellow organizers. Determine who is responsible for outreach, promotion, ingredients, brewing, catering (if applicable), etc.
- Download the Big Brew 2019 poster and fill out relevant information. Hang posters in beer-centric places around town (homebrew shops, brewpubs, breweries, restaurants, grocery stores, etc).
- Post the event information on your organization/business website, and other community-focused websites in your area.
Early April
- Send a save-the-date reminder to your email contacts and local homebrew clubs. Tell them to share the event with their friends!
- Create a Facebook event for your Big Brew event and invite your contacts. The AHA provides downloadable Big Brew social media imagery (.zip) to use in your posts on all social platforms.
- Register your event on well-known homebrewing or beer-focused websites, and on locally-focused beer blogs.
- Promote the official 2019 Big Brew recipes so that your brewers can plan ahead.
Late April
- Send a second message to your email contacts reminding them to participate
- Highlight any updates or fun plans on social media to reinforce your email reminder.
- Request a list of local media contacts from the AHA, and invite them to your event with this editable Big Brew press release.
- Confirm that all brewing equipment and ingredients are ready to go.
- Ensure the information on your website is up to date.
Week of Big Brew
- Final event reminders on social media using #Big Brew
- Follow up with local media via phone or email and invite their coverage of your event again.
After Big Brew
- Thank everyone for attending and tell them to save the date for May 2, 2020
- Send pictures of your event to the AHA. Your Big Brew event might make an appearance in Zymurgy!
