Big Brew is Coming - May 3

April 28, 12:44 PMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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What do Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Israel, Kenya, The Netherlands, Russia and the USA all have in common when it comes to beer?  On Saturday, May 3 there will be homebrewers in each of these countries participating in Big Brew.    You can too.   

Check out the list of registered Big Brew sites and join homebrewers who will be celebrating the fun.  Last year there were over 9000 gallons of homebrew made by more than 4000 participants at 242 sites on four continents worldwide.  The popularity of homebrewing beer is trending up.  The American Homebrewers Association estimates that over half a million Americans will make homebrew this year.   The rest of the world’s beer enthusiasts have been fascinated with the beer culture transformation the United States has undergone over the last 30 years.  Many still find it hard to believe that the United States is the best place to be enjoying beer these days.  It is.

Why all the brewhaha?   Homebrewing has been a phenomena that has bred beer enthusiasts and inspired most of today’s small craft brewers.   My extensive assessment indicates that over 95% of today’s American craft brewers have their roots with homebrewing.

It is Big Brew Day worldwide and since 1979 it's also National Homebrew Day in the USA.  The U.S. Congress made it official with their own proclamation in 1988.   There are many reasons to celebrate.  If you are inclined to love beer and the people who respect and make it themselves, check out the Big Brew site nearest to you and join in on the fun.  You're invited.

What's in my glass?

Each year the American Homebrewers Association offers one or two Big Brew recipes to celebrate a particular theme.  This year homebrewers will be brewing Fullers (of London) Chiswick Bitter honoring Michael Jackson, the world-renowned beer writer, who passed away in August 2007. At his local pub, the Andover Arms in Hammersmith, London, Chiswick Bitter was often Michael's beer of choice.  I can personally say, that there were many sessions I had with Michael over pints of Chiswick.

This Big Brew Day, I'll be raising the closest beer I can get my hands on to toast homebrewers and Michael Jackson, a man who celebrated beer and brewing by appreciating the brewers' efforts and extolling their virtues in his writing. 

Unfortunately, I'll actually be in the UK on May 3, but I homebrewed a 5 gallon batch of beer this past weekend.  It is currently fermenting and enjoying life.