The Hogtown Brewers Brewer of the Year (BOTY) Competition

Each year members of the Hogtown Brewers are encouraged to compete for the honor of Hogtown Brewer of the Year (BOTY). The winner is awarded a $100 gift certificate and possession of the BOTY Keg for the year. Additionally the BOTY will have their name permanently affixed to the BOTY Keg for all to revere. The Second place finisher receives a $75 gift certificate; third place receives a $50 gift certificate. Winners can choose between certificates from Hoggetowne Ale Works, Hearts Homebrew or The Homebrew Den or other prize awards as determined by the Executive Committee.

To encourage member participation in the BOTY program, additional prizes of lesser value may be awarded to BOTY participants finishing outside the top three. The number and value of these prizes are at sole discretion of the Executive Committee and will be determined at the end of the competition year.

Event Participation Requirement

Starting 2006 a new requirement has been added for BOTY participants. Each BOTY competitor must participate in a minimum of one homebrew competition as judge, steward, event organizer or general participant. Participation in our own Hogtown Brew Off or any of several In-club Open competitions provides brewers with many opportunities to meet this requirement. This requirement may also be met by participation in any American Homebrewers Association (AHA) sponsored homebrew competition if so desired.

Hogtown Brewers In-club Open Competitions

In order to qualify for the Brewer of the Year award, brewers must enter at least one of the several In-club Open Competitions held throughout the year. Club members are also encouraged to participate in judging the in-club entries, including those who have entered beers in the competition. The semi-annual In-club competitions provide an excellent opportunity to gain skills in judging, and to get feedback about the beers that members have entered. Official BJCP score sheets will be used and judging will be conducted as it would in any other AHA sponsored competition including Best of Show judging. Competition results will be compiled and posted to the Hogtown Brewers website and completed score sheets will be returned to entrants. No limit shall be placed on the total number of entries allowed per member although only two entries per each BJCP category will be permitted for a single competition.

Each entry requires two bottles accompanied by a properly completed entry form. The entry form includes bottle ID forms which must be affixed to the entry with rubber bands.

All bottle shapes, sizes and color are acceptable for In-club competitions including those with raised lettering. The Hogtown Brewers consider the In-club competition a learning experience and thus choose not to prohibit entries based on container specifications. Entrants should keep in mind that non-standard bottles will not be accepted for AHA sponsored competitions and therefore as a best practice we encourage members to bottle at least a portion of every batch in competition ready bottles.

AHA/BJCP Sanctioned Competitions

In order to qualify for the Brewer of the Year award, brewers must enter at least one of the many AHA/BJCP sanctioned competitions held throughout the year.  In all likelihood points will need to be earned at many of these events to win the coveted BOTY honor. Club members are responsible for reporting participation and winnings to the Competition Czar and for guaranteeing their cumulative point earnings are accurate.

Brewers are encouraged to visit the Competition Calendar page often to learn about regional competitions and to allow sufficient time for brewing, bottling and conditioning your wares.Brewers are also encouraged to visit the AHA and BJCP calendars of sanctioned competitions, which list upcoming competitions throughout the United States and Canada.

AHA Club-Only Competitions

The Club-Only Competition program offers AHA registered homebrew clubs an opportunity to compete nationwide with other homebrew clubs. Each competition concentrates attention on a specific style of beer or mead, giving clubs the opportunity to educate their members in these styles by focusing on them at club meetings or tasting events.

All AHA registered homebrew clubs are eligible to compete. Only one entry may be entered from each club. Procedures for selecting a club's entry are determined by the club, and vary widely; some clubs choose an entry during an informal tasting, while larger clubs often run a formal competition. This entry is then sent to the appropriate judging site.

BOTY competitors are not required to participate in this program but BOTY points can be earned if they choose to do so. The Competition Czar will announce Club-Only categories to members in advance of each event and will be responsible for setting deadlines and coordinating the entry selection/judging which will represent the club. Links are provided on this page to the AHA Club Only competition page along with the required entry and bottle ID forms.

AHA National Homebrew Competition (NHC)

The NHC is the world's largest international competition that recognizes the most outstanding homebrewed beer, mead and cider being produced by amateur brewers in the Untied States and Canada.

The first round of the competition is judged at 10 regional sites. The best of beer and mead entries by homebrewers advance to the second round of the competition where they're judged at the AHA National Homebrewers Conference. Winners of the competition are awarded gold, silver or bronze medals in 29 style categories.

BOTY points may be earned by medaling in the first and second rounds of this competition. Second round winners will receive an additional bonus point for recognition of their superior achievement at Nationals.

Masters Championship of Amateur Brewing (MCAB)

The Masters Championship of Amateur Brewing exists to advance the art and science of amateur brewing, by:
1. Identifying and recognizing excellence and achievement among amateur brewers.
2. Promoting and encouraging high-quality, locally-run amateur brewing competitions and events in all regions of North America.
3. Providing opportunities for all amateur brewers to advance their skills, be it through competition, judging, or education.
4. Encouraging communication and cooperation between local amateur brewing clubs.
5. Fostering understanding and advancement of the beer evaluation process, and
6. Promoting public awareness and recognition of the craft of amateur brewing.

Brewers that qualify to compete for MCAB honors will earn BOTY points plus a bonus point should they medal. The bonus point is awarded in recognition of their superior achievement at this prestigious homebrew event. MCAB is by invitation only and brewers must have won first place in a MCAB Qualifying Style Category at a MCAB Qualifying Event. For more information including a list of qualifying events and rules visit the MCAB website.

In Case of Tie - Sudden Death Smackdown

In the unlikely event of a tie for any of the first three BOTY places the Executive Committee shall convene and determine the method of the tie-breaker. Committee members are encouraged to have fun with method selection however each of the competitors must agree with the decision of the Exec Committee. This tie-break method shall be referred to as the "Sudden Death Smackdown" and under no circumstances will the tie be allowed to stand. A clear winner must be selected for each of the top three BOTY places.

Competition Czar

In-club deadlines and submission requirements are the responsibility of the Competition Czar. These requirements shall be posted (email and web) well in advance of the competition to provide ample opportunity for club members to participate. It is also the responsibility of the Competition Czar to compile and post the competition results and to keep running records of BOTY points. It is each club member's responsibility to guarantee the accuracy of this published competition record and to notify the Competition Czar of participation and winnings from outside competitions.

Brewer of the Year point award levels

HTB In-club Open Competitions (2 or 3 held per year)

3 points for First place
2 points for Second place
1 point for Third place

AHA/BJCP Sanctioned Competitions

3 points for First place
2 points for Second place
1 point for Third place
1 point for Honorable Mention

AHA Club Only Competitions

3 points for First place
2 points for Second place
2 point for Third place
1 point for Honorable Mention

Best of Show Beer Awards (any competition including HTB In-club)

3 points for First place Best In Show
2 points for Second place Best of Show
1 points for Third place Best of Show

Best of Show Mead Awards (any competition including HTB In-club)

1 point for First place Best In Show
(no points for 2nd or 3rd)

AHA National Homebrew Competition

First Round

3 points for First place
2 points for Second place
1 points for Third place

Second Round

4 points for First place
3 points for Second place
2 points for Third place

Masters Championship of Amateur Brewing (MCAB)

4 points for First place
3 points for Second place
2 points for Third place