Big Brew 2016 locations announced for WV

West Virginia homebrewing clubs will hold at least six Big Brew 2016 events around the state over the next couple of weeks to commemorate the 20th anniversary of National Homebrew Day. Founded by the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), National Homebrew Day is officially celebrated the first Saturday each May.

If you live near an organized event, plan to drop by and brew or just enjoy the camaraderie. You don’t have to be a homebrewer to participate. Just drop by. It’s a great place to learn more about the beer making art.

Join the nationwide simultaneous toast

A nationwide, simultaneous toast occurs at 1:00 p.m. EDT Saturday, May 7, and all homebrew and craft beer lovers are encouraged to participate, whether at a Big Brew event, at a bar, or at home.

AHA expects more than 11,000 beer enthusiasts from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Australia to hoist a glass in the toast this year.

Six WV Big Brew 2016 event dates set

While National Homebrew Day is officially May 7, West Virginia will see Big Brew events held on three separate days this year. These brewing events typically commence in the A.M. and run through the afternoon to early evening.

Sunday, May 1

• The Infamous Parkersburg Alers homebrewers club will meet in Parkersburg, WV, for an IPA Big Brew event hosted at the home of club memberJustin Logue. Contact Parkersburg Brewing Co. for details.
• Upper Northern Panhandle homebrew club “HOOCH” holds it event at the Winemakers Loft, located at 830 rear Main Street, Follansbee, WV. Setup starts at 10:30 AM and goes until they are done brewing (usually around 4-5pm).

Saturday, May 7

• The Greater Huntington Homebrewers Association (GHHA) and the Teays Valley Beer Drinkers and Homebrewers Association will join for an event at Cathy and Allen Gawthrop’s house in Teays Valley. Expect plenty of delicious brats, pot luck food and beer. Bring whatever you can. 10 AM – 6 PM.
•  Fairmont Homebrewers Club will celebrate at an event hosted by Heston Farm in Fairmont. Live music by The Skinnys. WV craft beers and food will be available for purchase. 9 AM – 6 PM.
• Harrison County Homebrewers Club will celebrate Big Brew with an event at the Veterans Park in Clarksburg. Plan a picnic. All day long.
• The Morgantown Area Society of Homebrewers (MASH) club will hold its event in Morgantown, WV. Bring a covered dish or some chips and dip. A grill and some burgers/dogs will be available. Kicks off at 11 AM.

Sunday, May 15

• Wheeling Alers’ Big Brew will take place at the new Brew Keepers brewery in Wheeling, WV. They will have a few club members brewing on site and Brew Keepers will hopefully be brewing a beer at the same time. A good chance to get a preview of this upcoming brewery. 10 AM – 5 PM.

This year’s homebrew recipes

Each year, AHA circulates two or more homebrew recipes as suggestions for homebrewers to make on Big Brew.

In honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot this year, AHA has selected as one of its two recipes a Northern German Altbier. The other recipe is a spiced beer.

Strike Team Chanukah Altbier follows the Reinheitsgebot’s  regulations by using only malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. The second recipe, a sessionable Summertime Ginger Ale, incorporates several ingredients that violate the German Purity Law – including wheat, honey, and ginger.

AHA estimates that there are over 1.2 million homebrewers in the United States. With one in every 200 adults in the U.S. now crafting their own beer, homebrewing has become one of the country’s fastest growing hobbies.

In West Virginia and throughout Appalachia, homebrew/enthusiast groups and clubs are found in most urban areas.

For more information about Big Brew check the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) website.