THE BREWSPAPER / BREW NATION HEADING TO SAN DIEGO

DEFENDING CHAMPION—San Diego (site of 2015 American Homebrewers Assn. convention) is also home to Kelsey McNair, who last year at the AHA competition in Grand Rapids, won a gold medal for his India Pale Ale, Hop-Fu!  As an amateur brewer, McNair has AHA gold medals for his brews in 2010 and 2012 with a silver medal in 2013.  Kelsey (shown here in this WestCoaster Magazine photograph) has signed a lease on a brewery site in San Diego’s brewstoric North Park neighborhood.  The opening of North Park Beer Company sometime this year means McNair is going pro, which has to be good news for other India pale ale brewers around the country.

SAVE THE DATE—Next month the 2015 AHA National Homebrewers Conference will be held in San Diego.  Eyes of brew nation will focus on this sunny cul de sac city, whose homebrew roots have spawned more than 100 independent craft beer breweries in the last decade.

WHAT:           For the first time since 2011, the American Homebrewers Association National Homebrewers Conference takes place in sunny San Diego. Homebrewers will flock to what has been described as the “hoppiest place on Earth” for three days of homebrewing culture, companionship and competition. Special seminars and events cater to beer enthusiasts and amateur brewers of every level.

The 37th annual conference is also home to the final round of judging in this year’s National Homebrew Competition, the world’s largest beer competition, which recognizes the most outstanding homebrewed beer, mead and cider 

produced by amateur brewers worldwide.           

WHO:              An estimated 4,000 attendees will have the opportunity hear from over 70 presenters, including keynote speaker Tomme Arthur of California-based Port Brewing Company and The Lost Abbey, who is widely regarded as one of the leaders of the American craft brewing renaissance. Presenters include other pioneering and veteran homebrewers, Cicerones, mead makers and more.

WHEN:           Thursday, June 11 – Saturday, June 13

                          Times vary. For a full schedule of events,

                          visit the conference schedule.

WHERE:         Town and Country Resort & Convention Center

                        500 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA 92108

WHY:              The American Homebrewers Association has worked on behalf of the homebrewing community since 1978 and celebrates a membership of more than 44,000 homebrewers and beer enthusiasts. This fun and educational gathering brings together homebrewing fans and friends from across the country to broaden their brewing skills and knowledge, while enhancing the community’s camaraderie.

Being next door to the San Diego Trolley Fashion Valley station, the

Town & Country Hotel is not located within walking distance of this amazing craft 

beer city's brewcentric hot spots like Downtown or hipster North Park.  

But when convention free time is available those 'hoods are easily reached by 

your car rental or trolley, taxi, city bus, Lyft or Uber.