Retailer Toolkit: AHA Homebrew Shop of the Year

2023 AHA Homebrew Shop of the Year is sponsored by BSG HandCraft

The Homebrew Shop of the Year Award is an honor that is given to one homebrew retailer every year by the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). BSG HandCraft is proud to be back as the official sponsor of the award in 2023. 

The AHA announces the winner of the Homebrew Shop of the Year Award annually during the National Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony at Homebrew Con.

This award is given to a homebrew shop that demonstrates excellence in the following categories: 

  • Local homebrew community support
  • Education
  • Customer service & engagement
  • Promotion of homebrewing to the public
  • Responsible business practices

How to Get Nominated for the Award

Homebrewers all over the country are encouraged to nominate their favorite homebrew shop and tell the selection committee about why their local shop deserves to win. 

Your customers must be AHA members in order to nominate your shop. The deadline to submit a nomination is May 5, 2023.

→ Homebrew Shop of the Year 2022 Nomination Form

Promotional Assets for Retailers

Let us help you spread the word that you want to be nominated!

As the official sponsor of the award, BSG HandCraft has partnered with the American Homebrewers Association to develop several promotional materials that you can use to encourage your customers to nominate your business:

  • Digital & social media artwork
  • Editable posters & flyers

Find these assets under the “For Shops” section of the AHA website

Who Determines the Winner

Once all of the nominations are received from homebrewers around the US, the American Homebrewers Association Governing Committee reviews the nominations and determines a winner based on the judging criteria outlined by the AHA.

The positive things that your customers say about your shop are very important in the judging process – so encourage your customers to tell the AHA why they think your shop deserves to win on the nomination form!

Winning the Award

Besides the gratification that comes with being appreciated by your customers, the Homebrew Shop of the Year Award winner will receive a considerable amount of media coverage once a press release is issued by the American Homebrewers Association.

In addition to the exposure that comes from winning the award, BSG HandCraft is proud to support the winning shop by providing:

For the Winning Shop: Rahr malt

The winning homebrew shop will receive a full pallet (x40 55lb bags) of their Rahr malt of choice from BSG HandCraft.

Estimated retail value: $3,360 USD

For One of Your Customers: $1,000 Shopping Spree at Your Business

To incentivize homebrewers to be nominating their favorite homebrew shop, BSG HandCraft will be gifting a $1,000 gift certificate to one person who nominates the winning shop. 

Multiple people can nominate the same shop. The gift certificate winner will be chosen at random from the list of people who nominated the winning shop.

2023 Winner:

2023 Homebrew Shop of the Year: Gnome Brew | Chicago, IL

2022 Winner:

2022 Homebrew Shop of the Year: Micro Homebrew | Kenmore, WA

Previous Winners:

2018

The Homebrewer

San Diego, CA

2019

Bitter & Esters

Brooklyn, NY

2020

The Brew Hut

Aurora, CO