First Annual Beer:30 Homebrew Contest at GastroFest, Hosted by Beer Apostle!

Update (2/10/14): Registrations is closed. You may still submit a registration and enter the 'wait list' for the competition. In the event one of the current participants has to pullout of the competition, we will contact those on the wait list in the order they registered.

Registration is now open for the 2015 Homebrew Competition at GastroFest. The competition is open to the first 12 homebrewers who complete the registration (below). If you're interested in entering your beer, please review the Contest Rules and Regulations before submitting a registration. Cheers and Good Luck!

Homebrew Competition Rules and Regulations:

Who is Eligible to Enter?

The competition is open to the first 12 homebrewers who complete the registration form below. Once all spots are filled, any additional registrants will be notified that they have been placed on a wait-list. If more than one person helped brew the beer, everyone who assisted must be listed on your entry form. Team beers are acceptable, but the entrant must have been an active participant in the brewing process.  Only one entry is allowed per ticket holder.  Beers brewed in commercially licensed facilities are ineligible. The winning beer(s) will only receive one medal, even if there were more than one people who brewed the beer.

Entry Fees

Entry fee is complimentary.

Online Registration

Your entry MUST be registered via the form below no later than February 17, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Brian at: Brian@thebeerapostle.com

Entry Requirements

Two bottles (22oz) of the same beer must be entered for the Judges Panel. Bottles must be labeled to include homebrewer's name, beer name, and beer style.

A minimum 2 gallons, maximum 5 gallons must be entered and available for sampling at GastroFest. Visitors will sample your beer and vote on the "People's Choice." for best homebrew.

Only beer, cider, or mead may be entered. No wine or liquor entries will be accepted.

The beer must be home brewed to enter.  No entries brewed at commercial facilities will be accepted.

You MUST be 21 to enter.

Event Schedule

• Competitors MUST be available to sample out their homebrew during BOTH hours listed below.
•  Hour #1: 2:45-3:45pm -- People's Choice Voting
•  Hour #2: 6:45-7:45pm -- People's Choice Voting; Judges Panel Critique

• (1) People's Choice Award and (1) Judges' Choice Award will be presented at 8:15pm.

Judging Information
There will be a panel of local "Beer Celebrities" to judge the entries. The Judges are:

• Brian Little, Beer Apostle
• Carolyn Graham, Brown Distributing
• Glen Wieger, Green Lion Festival
•  Kevin Burns, Beer:30
• Marc Wisdom, Jax Beer Guy
• Preben Olsen, Aardwolf Brewing Co.
• Regina Heffington, Silver Cow and Jax Brew Bitch
• Steve Halford, Pinglehead Brewing Co.  

Entries will be judged on aroma, appearance, taste, mouthfeel, and overall impression. The judges will taste, critique, and score the entries starting at 6:45pm at GastroFest. Winners of both the People's Choice and Judges' Choice will be presented at 8:15pm.




Register Now!

USGBC Green Social Event

 The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is hosting a FREE social gathering at the Aardwolf Brewery on June 10th at 6pm.

The USGBC's mission is to "create a sustainable region and green buildings for all within this generation." The social event takes place in San Marco inside the Aardwolf tasting room. The event is free for everyone, and will help to highlight some of the green-focused businesses and innovations that are going on around Jacksonville.

Enjoy a local vodka, have a beer, grab a bite to eat from The Happy Grilled Cheese, network, learn more about the USGBC, and have a good time while learning about local businesses.

While there, you'll hear from a few local business leaders, including:

• Philip McDaniel (CEO) and Brendan Wheatley (Head Distiller) of St. Augustine Distillery.
• Ben F Davis (Owner) of Intuition Ale Works 
• Aaron Alexander Glick of TransForm Jax 
• Shannon Blankinship of St. John's Riverkeeper 

Also, mark your calendar for October 4th. USGBC will be hosting the Green Lion Festival, which will also take place at Aardworlf. The event was a huge success last year as it brought in over 400 people. This year, the event is sure to be one you won't want to miss. There will be samples of local craft beer, liquor, and food. And best of all, it's all FREE!! Check http://www.usgbcnf.org/greenlionfestival for more information as the date gets closer!