This challenge stems from an annual competition to find the best home brewers in the Maritimes. We’re taking it a step further and we want to find the best home brewer with the best home brew in Atlantic Canada!
4TH ANNUAL ATLANTIC HOMEBREW CHALLENGE STYLES
German Pilsner and Altbier. A portion of every brew needs to be partially mashed or steeped.
COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
GERMAN PILSNER
A pale, dry, bitter German lager featuring a prominent hop aroma. Crisp, clean, and refreshing, showing a brilliant gold color with excellent head retention. Straw to deep yellow, brilliant to very clear, with a creamy, long-lasting white head. Moderately to moderately-high flowery, spicy, or herbal hops. Low to medium grainy, sweet, or doughy malt character, often with a light honey and toasted cracker quality. Clean fermentation profile. The hops should be forward, but not totally dominate the malt in the balance. Initial malt flavor quickly overcome with hop flavor and bitterness, leading into a dry, crisp finish. Malt and hop flavors similar to aroma (same descriptors and intensities).
Vital Statistics:
IBU: 22 – 40
SRM: 2 – 4
OG: 1.044 – 1.050
FG: 1.008 – 1.013
ABV: 4.4% – 5.2%
ALTBIER
A moderately colored, well-attenuated, bitter beer with a rich maltiness balancing a strong bitterness. Light and spicy hop character complements the malt. A dry beer with a firm body and smooth palate. The color ranges from amber to deep copper, stopping short of brown; bronze-orange is most common. Brilliant clarity. Thick, creamy, long-lasting off-white head. Malty and rich with grainy characteristics like baked bread or nutty, toasted bread crusts. Should not have darker roasted or chocolate notes. Malt intensity is moderate to moderately-high. Moderate to low hops complement but do not dominate the malt, and often have a spicy, peppery, or floral character.
Vital Statistics:
IBU: 25 – 50
SRM: 9 – 17
OG: 1.044 – 1.052
FG: 1.008 – 1.014
ABV: 4.3% – 5.5%
PAST WINNERS
2020 WINNER
Hazy McHazeface
Trevor McLean
2019 WINNER
Tingles Sichuan Stout
Lady Scotia Brewing (Chelsea Meisner)
2018 WINNER
D Rock’s Dunkel
Derek Wood
Where is my local Gahan House?
We have Gahan House locations in Charlottetown, Halifax, Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, and St. John’s.
How do I submit a beer into the Atlantic Home Brew Challenge?
To submit a brew you must drop it off by March 3, 2023 to your local Gahan House with a completed submission form. There is also a $30 submission fee to enter a beer into this challenge that must be paid via Eventbrite upon drop off.
How do I pay my submission fee?
You need to register and pay online through this Eventbrite link! Once this is paid and your beer dropped off, you will receive a complimentary Atlantic Home Brew Challenge t-shirt from that Gahan House location (not bad, eh?!).
Should I label my entries?
Yes – please put your name, your beer name, your order confirmation and beer style on each beer bottle you drop off. You must drop off at least 3 x 355mL or larger bottles (max 650ml package)
Is there a limit to the amount of entries I can submit?
Yes – you can submit one entry per style
Are there any beer recipe rules?
Only two. Your beer must qualify as one of two styles: German Pilsner or Altbier and a portion of every brew need to be partially mashed or steeped.
Can anyone submit a beer?
Yes! As long as you are not a certified brewer or brew for your career (and you are over the age of 19).
Can multiple people submit a beer together?
Absolutely! We’re all about partnerships. The person/ team listed on the submission form claims the prize.
What are the prizes?
The Grand Champion (best overall beer) will receive $500 cash and a limited edition can release in partnership with The Gahan House.
The top 5 in each style will receive the following:
1st – $300 cash
2nd – $150 cash
3rd – $100 cash
4th – $100 Murphy Hospitality Group gift card
5th – $50 Murphy Hospitality Group gift card
When are prizes awarded?
Prizes will be awarded on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 12pm online through www.facebook.com/gahanbeer
Additional questions?
Email homebrewchallenge@gahan.ca
ALL BEERS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY
REFRIGERATED AFTER DROP OFF.
Please note this challenge is only
open to residents of Atlantic Canada.