Brewing for Gold

Welcome to Brewing for Gold, a blog dedicated to documenting my year-long adventure in the 2025 Circuit of America Homebrew Competition. Homebrewing is more than just a hobby for me—it’s a passion, a craft, and a way to connect with others who share a love for creating something truly unique.

This year, I’ve decided to take my brewing to the next level by competing in one of the most exciting homebrew circuits in the country. The Circuit of America is an incredible opportunity to test my skills, refine my recipes, and learn from some of the best brewers out there. While my ultimate goal is to climb to the top of the leaderboard, this journey is just as much about the process as it is about the results.

In this blog, I’ll be sharing every step of my experience:

 

• • Preparation for Competitions: Bottling, shipping, and meeting submission deadlines.

• • Recipe Development: From brainstorming ideas to perfecting the final brew.

• • Judging and Feedback: What the judges say and how I’ll use their insights to improve.

• • Interviews with the very best – Meeting and hear from the top home brew competitors anywhere on the planet!

• • Lessons Learned: The triumphs, the challenges, and the surprises along the way.

I’ll also include behind-the-scenes looks at the competitions, interviews with fellow homebrewers, and tips for anyone looking to get started in the world of competitive brewing.

Will I end up at the top of the heap? Probably not—but I’m ready to give it my best shot. Along the way, I’m sure there will be plenty of laughs, unexpected twists, and invaluable learning experiences.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, a homebrewing enthusiast, or just curious about what goes into crafting award-worthy beer, I hope you’ll find something here to inspire and entertain.

Cheers to the 2025 Circuit of America—let’s see where this adventure takes us!

About Me

My name is Ben. As of today, I am a Master Homebrewer’s Program Grand Master 1. I have been brewing beer since 2016 and have brewed over 500 batches of beer. Brewing is not just a passion for me but also a craft I continually strive to perfect. I love to compete and am thrilled to embark on this journey to make a good run at the Circuit of America. Win or lose, join me for the journey.