The Brew Times
Celebrate National Homebrew Day: A Toast to the Art of Brewing
May 7 marks a special day for beer lovers everywhere—National Homebrew Day! First declared by the U.S Congress in 1988, National Homebrew Day honors the creativity, passion, and community spirit that define the homebrewing world. Each year, thousands of brewers, from seasoned experts to first-time hobbyists, come together to celebrate the craft that brings people and pints closer together. To amplify the festivities, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) created Big Brew, an annual event held on the first Saturday in May. In 2025, Big Brew fell on May 3, and it promises to be a day filled with brewing, learning, and raising a glass in unison across the globe. What Is National Homebrew Day? A Celebration of Craft and Community National Homebrew Day isn't just about brewing beer—it's about celebrating a movement. Homebrewing has grown far beyond a backyard curiosity; today, an estimated 1.2 million Americans are part of the vibrant homebrew community. For many, it's a way to experiment, share, and take pride in crafting something truly personal. Big Brew is the perfect extension of this spirit. Each year, homebrewers everywhere synchronize their efforts, participate in live brewing sessions, and swap tips and stories. At noon local time, participants pause to raise a glass together, symbolizing a worldwide toast to the craft we all cherish. 2025's Official Big Brew Recipe: Big Blimp! Barleywine This year's featured recipe for Big Brew is the award-winning Big Blip! Barleywine by Donna and Larry Reuter, two celebrated names in homebrewing. A bold, hoppy, high-gravity ale, this recipe captured gold at both the 2019 and 2023 National Homebrew Competition Final Rounds. It's a brew that exemplifies the creativity and quality celebrated on National Homebrew Day. At Mr. Beer, we're excited to join the celebration with Big Blimpin, our own take on this iconic barleywine. Big Blimpin' brings rich complexity and bold character to your brew day—whether you're brewing solo, hosting a brew party, or joining a local club event. Read more about our big brew-along on The Brew Times. Why Homebrewing Is the Ultimate Hobby—And Why Mr.Beer Is the Perfect Place to Start If you've ever thought about trying your hand at homebrewing but felt intimidated by the equipment, let's clear up a common myth: you can get a complete kit for around $45, and it'll have everything you need to brew your first batch. It's an easy, low-risk way to dip your toes into the hobby. At Mr. Beer, we specialize in helping new brewers succeed. Our kits are designed for simplicity and quality, making them perfect for beginners and seasoned brewers alike. Here's why you should pick up a kit and start on the ultimate hobby: 1.) It's Easy to Get Started If you can follow instructions, keep things clean, and treat your yeast well, you can make beer that rivals (or even surpasses) the bottles lining your local shop. It's not rocket science—it’s brew science—and you don’t even need to know the science part to make great beer. 2.) You'll Appreciate Beer More Homebrewing transforms how you see and taste beer. You'll move beyond labeling beers as just "light" or "dark" and start recognizing the difference between ales and lagers, understanding flavor profiles, and detecting what makes a beer truly exceptional, or what causes an off taste. 3.) It Fits Your Schedule Brewing a batch doesn't require endless hours. Basic extract brewing takes only a few hours to spread out over several weeks, and even all-grain brewing only adds a few more. It's the perfect hobby for busy people who want a big reward without a huge time investment. 4.) You Control the Creativity Homebrewing puts you in charge. Clone your favorite commercial beers. Add cherries to an IPA. Brew a historic recipe you found online. Test out ingredients that you'll never find on store shelves. If you can dream it, you can brew it. With our curated Recipe Kits, you get the perfect starting point—whether you're recreating a classic or crafting something totally your own 5.) It's Affordable and Accessible No need for fancy gadgets, brewing beer is a simple and affordable way to try something new without making a big commitment. With Mr. Beer by your side, starting your homebrew journey has never been easier or more rewarding. So why not make 2025 the year you finally take the plunge? How to Celebrate National Homebrew Day 2025 As National Homebrew Day approaches, now is the perfect time to dive into the world of homebrewing or take your craft to new heights. On May 3, 2025, and again on the official day of May 7, let's honor the tradition, the community, and the creativity that make homebrewing so special. Raise a glass, brew a batch, and be part of the story. Cheers to National Homebrew Day!
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From Tech to Tap: Kicking Off My Brewing Adventure at Mr. Beer
Hey everyone, I’m Matt, the new Marketing Manager here at Mr. Beer! You’re going to be seeing my name on a lot of these articles, so I figured a proper introduction was in order. My goal is to make Mr. Beer more accessible to you, our brewers, and to help build an even stronger community around homebrewing. Me Also Me My journey here wasn’t exactly traditional—I started out as a systems administrator (yes, basically that computer guy from the old SNL skit… “Move!”). It was a great experience, but I found my real passion in building websites and helping businesses grow. That made the transition to digital marketing an easy choice. Plus… BEER! I was drawn to Mr. Beer because it’s more than just another business—it’s a passion project, a craft, and a community I can get behind. There’s something special about taking simple ingredients and turning them into something worth sharing. The creativity, the process, and the culture around homebrewing are what make it so exciting. I’m thrilled to be part of the Mr. Beer family and to dive into this world with all of you. I’m Excited to Learn and Grow I won’t pretend to be a homebrewing expert—yet. I’m here to learn, experiment, and most importantly, have fun along the way. Since the world has become more hands-on in recent years, there’s never been a better time to dive into homebrewing. There’s just something satisfying about creating something from scratch, tweaking it, and making it your own. My Love for Bold, Flavorful Beers (And a New Experiment in the Works!) If you ask me what my go-to beers are, it’s an easy answer—Dark Ales (See Newcastle Brown Ale) and Porters (see Black Butte Porter & Breckenridge Vanilla Porter). Unfortunately, Newcastle isn’t what it used to be and they’re all really hard to find. That just fuels my passion to bring back those deep, smooth, and flavorful beers that seem to have taken a backseat to hop-heavy styles. And I’m not just talking about it—I’m doing something about it. Right now, I’ve got an Irish Cream Porter brewing—my personal contribution to the cause. It’s still fermenting, so I have no idea how it’s going to turn out, but hey, that’s part of the fun. If it’s great, I’ll take full credit. If it’s not… well, let’s just say it was a "collaborative effort." Stay tuned for updates on that little experiment. Let’s Make This a Conversation I don’t want this to be a one-way street. I’m here to build a connection with the Mr. Beer community. So tell me—what do you want to see more of? What do you love about Mr. Beer? What can we improve? Whether you’re a seasoned brewer or just getting started, I want to hear from you. Drop a comment, send a message, or just shout at your screen and hope I hear it. We’re also going to start engaging more on social media, so hit us up there! What’s Next? As I settle in, I’ll be working on new ways to bring fresh content, exciting ideas, and fun brewing challenges to the Mr. Beer community. Whether that means tips, recipes, or deep dives into beer styles, I want to create content that actually helps you on your brewing journey. So stick around, grab a pint, and let’s make some great beer together. Cheers!
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