2026 Homebrew Competition

The Cream City Homebrew Competition is a Best of Show-style competition, put on to showcase the talents of the Metro Milwaukee homebrewing community.

The competition features an initial round of judging which will determine 10 finalists, who served a case of their beer to the public at an event on Saturday, May 2nd. Entry into the competition, as well as entry to the event, is free and open to the public.

A panel of celebrity beer judges awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place beers, plus an award for crowd favorite. The winning recipe will be commercially brewed and served at Gathering Place Brewing. Other prizes include gift certificates for Gathering Place and tickets to the Lager & Friends beer festival on May 30th, 2026.

Register Today
2025 Finalists and Winners

The Details 

  • All entries must be handcrafted products, containing ingredients available to the general public, and made using private equipment by hobbyist brewers (i.e., no use of commercial facilities or Brew on Premises operations, supplies, etc.).

  • Open to all beer styles. Brewers will be asked to specify a BCJP style when registering. Judges will use style as a guideline and will group entries into similar styles for the initial round.

  • The competition will be limited to 100 entries. Each brewer may submit up to 2 entries.

  • Entrants will submit two 12oz bottles (or one 22oz bottle) of beer for the first round. Bottles should have no labels and caps should be blacked out. Bottle labels should be attached with a rubber band.

  • 10 chosen finalists will provide a case (24 12oz bottles, 12 22oz bottles, 2.25 gal in a keg) of selected beer for public consumption at the finals on May 2, 2026.

  • Recipes are not required to submit a beer but please note any special ingredients. 

  • The Best of Show winner will provide their recipe to Gathering Place Brewing Company, who reserves the right to adjust the recipe. Beer brewed by the Gathering Place Brewing Company remains property of the Gathering Place Brewing Company.

The competition is free and open to all amateur homebrewers aged 21+.

Dates

  • April 17th: Registration closes - SAMPLES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THIS DATE

  • April 20th: First round judging

  • April 22nd: Entrants will be notified of the first round results

  • May 2nd: Final round showcase and awards ceremony at Gathering Place Brewing

Prizes

  • 1st Place: Brew day with Gathering Place team and a release party in the Gathering Place taproom; 2 tickets to Lager & Friends beer festival on May 30, 2026

  • 2nd Place: $50 Gathering Place gift card; 2 tickets to Lager & Friends beer festival on May 30, 2026

  • 3rd Place: $25 Gathering Place gift card; 2 tickets to Lager & Friends beer festival on May 30, 2026

  • Crowd Fav: $25 Gathering Place gift card; 2 tickets to Lager & Friends beer festival on May 30, 2026

Drop Off Location: April 1-17 during taproom hours
Gathering Place Riverwest - 811 E Vienna Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Gathering Place Tosa - 7208 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Sahale Ale Works - 1505 Wisconsin Ave #170, Grafton, WI 53024

Shipping Info
Entry bottles accepted at our shipping location from April 1-17th. Ship entries to:
Gathering Place Brewing Company
Cream City Homebrew Competition
811 E Vienna Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53212

Gathering Place Brewing is not responsible for entries that are lost or damaged in transit. Please note that it is illegal to ship entries via the US Postal Service (USPS).