Homebrew Competition 2026 Entry Rules and Conditions
Overview
The Homebrew Competition 2026 celebrates the skill, creativity and diversity of homebrewers across the UK &
Ireland. The competition is run broadly in line with SIBA beer style guidelines, with simplified category groupings to ensure fair, consistent and accessible judging. This competition is co-hosted by Howe Beer Project and Doghead Brewing Co.
All beers are judged blind by an experienced panel of brewery owners, industry professionals and a qualified beer
cicerone. Every short listed entry will receive written feedback and a completed scoresheet.
Eligibility
- The competition is open to amateur homebrewers resident in the UK & Ireland over the age of 18.
- All beers must be home-brewed by the entrant to an original recipe, no clones, and be all grain. No extract or kit beers.
- Beers produced on commercial brewing systems or brew‑on‑premise facilities are not eligible.
- Entries must not have been commercially sold.
- Each entrant may submit up to two beers for judging. Additional entries will not be accepted.
Key Dates
- Online registration closes: 1st March 2026
- Entries must be received by: 14th March 2026 – Late entries will not be accepted
- Finalists will be notified by: 1st April 2026
- Final judging & awards: Saturday 4th April 2026
Beer Styles & Categories
Beer styles are assessed using SIBA-style expectations for balance, flavour, aroma, appearance and technical
execution. Entrants must select the most appropriate category when registering. (entries will not be reclassified so choose carefully).
The categories are as follows, your beer must fit into one of these categories;
| Lagers, including; ● British Lager ● International Lager ● German Lager ● Czech Lager ● Pilsner ● Helles ● (All lager styles up to 6.4% ABV |
| Ales, including; ● British Ales ● Pale Ales ● Amber/Red/Brown Ales ● Strong Ales |
| IPAs, including; ● Traditional IPA ● American IPA ● NEIPA/Hazy ● DIPA/TIPA/Imperial IPA ● Black/White/Rye IPA |
| Stouts, including; ● Porter ● Stout ● Oatmeal ● Milk ● Dry ● Export ● Imperial Stout |
| Specialised/Continental, including; ● Barley Wine ● Sours ● Belgian/French/German non-Lagers ● Wheat Beers ● Saison ● Trappist ● Fruit/Spice/Smoked/Wood-Aged/Experimental |
How to Enter
- Register online via the entry form. Entries are limited to two beers per entrant.
- Follow the link to pay and finalise your entry.
- If your entry is accepted, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Label all bottles or cans in line with the instructions provided in your confirmation email.
- Submit four bottles or cans per entry for judging.
- Deliver or ship entries to Howe Beer Project, clearly marked “Howe Homebrew Comp”.
The Organisers reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not meet the competition requirements. Entries are only confirmed once payment has been received.
Entry Fees
- £8 for the first entry
- £4 for the second entry
Judging
- Judging begins on 21st March 2026.
- The top three beers in each category will progress to the final judging round. Finalists will be notified by April 1st via email.
- Final judging for category and overall winners will take place on Saturday 4th April 2026 at Howe Beer Project.
- Category winners advance to judging for the overall winner.
Awards & Prizes
Category Winners
A Category Award and prize will be presented to the top entrant in each category. Category winners will advance to judging for the overall winner.
Local Brewer Awards
To support and encourage the local brewing community, a Local Brewer Award and prize will be presented to the top Fife‑based entrant in each category.
Overall Winner Award
The overall winner will be invited to co-produce their winning beer on the Howe Beer Project commercial brewing system.
Detailed Terms and Conditions
- This competition is co-hosted by Howe Beer Project Ltd. and Doghead Brewing Co. (the Organisers).
- The Homebrew Competition 2026 is open to anyone within the UK & Ireland who is over 18.
- Only two entries are permitted per entrant.
- Anyone who wishes to enter must complete an entry form. The form must be completed by 1st
March 2026 (midnight). The Organisers reserve the right to deem any late, incomplete, or
inappropriate entry invalid. - Entrants acknowledge that the Organisers shall not be held responsible for any technical
failures that may result in any entry being lost, damaged, or not properly registered. The
competition is limited to 60 entries. These entries will be judged by brewery owners, a
qualified beer cicerone and other judges, at the discretion of the Organisers. - The finalists will be judged on the 4th of April at Howe Beer Project. Each finalist will be given
written feedback from the judges. The judges’ decision will be final. - All entries must be received at Howe Beer Project by the 14th March 2026. Any received after
this date will not be eligible for entry into the competition. - All finalists will be notified by email by the 1st of April 2026.
- All winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on the 4th of April. (If you are not
attending on the 4th, you will be notified following the awards ceremony by email). - Any personal data submitted to the Organisers will be processed in accordance with any
applicable data protection legislation and Howe Beer Projects Privacy Notice which is
available at Privacy Policy - The overall winner will have the opportunity for their recipe to be brewed at Howe Beer
Project. To claim this prize, the overall winner will need to consent to share their recipe with
Howe Beer Project Ltd. and consent to Howe Beer Project Ltd. selling the beer made from the
recipe, at their discretion. Additional details regarding this consent will be provided
separately to the overall winner. - The Organisers reserve the right to cancel, amend or suspend the competition, or any part of
it (including these Terms and Conditions) as required by circumstances. - The winner will be announced on the 4th of April and notified by email in writing (using the
details provided at entry) and will be invited to arrange a brew day with Howe Beer Project.
Howe Beer Project will not be liable for any failure or inability to contact a winner nor the
brewer’s availability to attend a brew day on the dates provided. - The Organisers cannot accept responsibility for, or liability arising from, entrants taking part
in the competition. Howe Beer Project gives no warranty or guarantee in relation to the
overall prize and accepts no responsibility or liability for prizes being amended. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, the Organisers exclude liability for all loss, damage or claim arising
as a result of a participant’s entry into the Competition or use of the prizes (save in the case
of death or personal injury caused by negligence). - By entering the Competition, entrants agree to hold the Organisers harmless for liability,
damages or claims for injury or loss to any person or property, relating to, directly or
indirectly, participation in this Competition, or claims based on publicity rights, third party
intellectual property rights, defamation or invasion of privacy.
