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: March 30, 2025
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.
March 2025
Cowtown Yeast Wranglers – Homebrew Round-Up
Calgary, AB
Entry Limit: 550
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Jan 8 – Mar 08
Drop-off/Shipping: Feb 17 – Mar 5
Judging: Mar 8 – 16
Awards: Mar 22
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*
April 2025
ALES Club – Ales Open
Regina, SK
Entry Limit: 400
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Feb 28 – Apr 11
Drop-off/Shipping: Mar 31 – Apr 11
Judging: Apr 21 – 26
Awards: Apr 29
*NOTE: ALES Open is not included in Brewer of the Year circuit for 2025*
May 2025
VanBrewers – VanBrewers Awards
Vancouver, BC
Entry Limit: 250
Styles Accepted: All beer styles only
Registration: April 21 – May 26
Drop-off/Shipping: May 12 – 26
Judging: May 31 – Jun 1
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*
June 2025
Edmonton Homebrewers Guild (EHG) – Aurora Brewing Challenge
Edmonton, AB
Entry Limit: 300
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Apr 15 – Jun 2
Drop-off/Shipping: May 26 – Jun 5
Judging: Jun 7 – 9
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*
July 2025
Ottawa Homebrew Society (OHBS) – National Homebrew Challenge
Ottawa, ON
Entry Limit: 300
Styles Accepted: Beer, mead only
Registration: June 1, 2025
Drop-off/Shipping: July 20, 2025
Judging: July 25 – 27
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*
Battle River Brewer – Sizzlin’ Hop Summer Showdown
Battle River, AB
Entry Limit: 100
Styles Accepted: IPAs Only (21{A,B,C,} 22A)
Registration: June 1
Drop-off/Shipping: July 21-25
Judging: July 26 – Aug 1
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*
September 2025
MontreAlers – Montrealers Ale and Lager Throwdown (M.A.L.T.)
Montreal, QC
Entry Limit: 150
Styles Accepted: All beer styles only
Registration: ~July
Drop-off/Shipping: ~Aug-Sept
Judging: Sept 27
Awards: TBD
*Brewer of the Year circuit competition*
October 2025
Saskatoon Headhunters Brewing Competition
Saskatoon, SK
Entry Limit: 250
Styles Accepted: All beer, cider, mead
Registration: Aug 30 – Oct 4
Drop-off/Shipping: Sept 21 – Oct 5
Judging: Oct 13-18
Awards: Oct 18
*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: Aug 20 – Oct 22
Drop-off/Shipping: Oct 13 – 22
Judging: Oct 23 – 26
Awards: Nov 7
*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 18
Judging: Oct 24 – 26
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 30 – Oct 25
Drop-off/Shipping: Oct 27 – Oct 31
Judging: Nov 2
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