Homebrew competitions are a great way to get some feedback on the beers, ciders and meads you’ve been making, and potentially win some new brewing gear (or an endless supply of t-shirts).

If you’re the competitive type, Brewer of the Year tracks all the wins at Canadian competitions, and ranks everyone to find out who’s the best Canadian homebrewer of the year. They also track the homebrew club with the most points, so that’s something to encourage your club to get behind as well!

To learn more about running your own homebrew competition, head over to How to Run a Competition.

Competition Calendar

Last updated: Feb 21, 2026

Stay tuned to this page as we receive information from clubs with regards to their 2025 competition plans! Please visit the official website of each competition for the latest details.

If you would like your competition featured on this page, and don’t see it listed, please send us an email about it.

Feb 2026

Cowtown Yeast Wranglers – Homebrew Round-Up
Calgary, AB
Entry Limit: 450
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Oct 9 – Feb 16
Drop-off/Shipping: Feb 6 – Feb 20
Judging: Feb 22 – Mar 1
Awards: Mar 21
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

April 2026

ALES Club – Ales Open
Regina, SK
Entry Limit: 300
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Feb 28 – Apr 1
Drop-off/Shipping: Mar 26 – Apr 10
Judging: Apr 20 – 25
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

VanBrewers – VanBrewers Awards
Vancouver, BC
Entry Limit: 250
Styles Accepted: All beer styles only
Registration: Mar 9 – Apr 10
Drop-off/Shipping: Apr 1 – Apr 10
Judging: Apr 18 – Apr 19
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

June 2026

Edmonton Homebrewers Guild (EHG) – Aurora Brewing Challenge
Edmonton, AB
Entry Limit: 300
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Apr 15 – Jun 7
Drop-off/Shipping: TBD
Judging: Jun 13 – TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

July 2026

Ottawa Homebrew Society (OHBS) – National Homebrew Challenge
Ottawa, ON
Entry Limit: 300
Styles Accepted: Beer, mead only
Registration: May 1- Jun 17
Drop-off/Shipping: TBD
Judging: July 11 – TBD
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

August 2026

Battle River Brewer – Sizzlin’ Hop Summer Showdown
Battle River, AB
Entry Limit: 100
Styles Accepted: IPAs Only (21{A,B,C,} 22A)
Registration: Jul 17 – Aug 26
Drop-off/Shipping: Aug 19 – 26
Judging: Aug 26 – 28
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

September 2026

MontreAlers – Montrealers Ale and Lager Throwdown (M.A.L.T.)
Montreal, QC
Entry Limit: 150
Styles Accepted: All beer styles only
Registration: Aug 1 – Sept 19
Drop-off/Shipping: Sept 5 – 19
Judging: Sept 26 – TBD
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

Red Deer Brewers Annual Homebrew Competition
Red Deer, AB
Entry Limit: 150
Styles Accepted: All beer styles only
Registration: Jul 13 – Sept 21
Drop-off/Shipping: Sept 14 – 23
Judging: Sept 24 – TBD
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

October 2026

Saskatoon Headhunters Brewing Competition
Saskatoon, SK
Entry Limit: 250
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Aug 29 – Oct 3
Drop-off/Shipping: Sept 20 – Oct 5
Judging: Oct 13 – TBD
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

GTA Brews – Brew Slam
Toronto, ON
Entry Limit: 650
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: ~Aug
Drop-off/Shipping: ~Oct
Judging: ~Oct
Awards: ~Nov
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

November 2025

Winnipeg Brew Bombers – Pro/Am Brew Challenge
Winnipeg, MB
Entry Limit: 300
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, or mead
Registration: ~Sept
Drop-off/Shipping: ~Oct
Judging: ~Nov
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*

On Hiatus

True Grist’s Blazing Paddles Homebrew Competition
Guelph-Cambridge-Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

Canuck Cider Cup
Hillier, ON