NCHF 15: Founding Fathers

Four Score and seven years ago... wait, that's was later. This year we return to the beginning of... Our great nation? Our great brewing traditions? See what you can do with home brewing around this idea!

What better way to kick off the festival than "Hoppy Hour"?

Enjoy appetizers and many different homebrews with old friends and new, surrounded by the beautiful redwoods at Lake Francis Resort.

Camping under the trees and stars

Only a short walk from the festival grounds, including a beautiful lake for boating, swimming and fishing.

Fantastic Raffle Prizes!

Last years grand prize: a new 14.4 gal Conical Fermenter from More Beer! Grain, hops, hats, brewing hardware are just a few items we raffle off during the festival. The more tickets you buy, the more you can win!

Hear from the best brewers in the craft brewing industry!

Sampling, critiques, techniques and brewing trends are some of the topics covered by our panel of invited experts.

Friday Night Brewers Dinner

Sean Paxton, the fabulous "Homebrew Chef" is back! He'll once again dazzle us with a gastronomic/zymurgistic experience few others will ever taste. Tickets for this event go fast, so once sales start, don't be late!

The main festivities are on Saturday

The festival takes place on the beautiful Lake Francis fest grounds on a natural grass field, surrounded by pines and redwoods in the lower Sierra foothills.

Festival Event Information

The Northern California Homebrewers Festival is full of events aside from tasting all the fabulous home brews and food at all the club booths. Be sure to check these out during the fest.

This year, the theme for NCHF 15 is "Our Founding Fathers"

What does this mean? Well, that's up to you! Typically clubs decorate their booths, and often themselves, to reflect the theme. Clubs also try to best one another for "Best Booth Theme" and "Best Booth Food", which all makes for great beer, great food, and a fantastic time for all!

As if that weren't enough, we select two "theme beers" for the Club Keg Competition. Check out the Club Keg Competition page for more details.

Hoppy Hour

Friday afternoon features Hoppy Hour which takes place in the Lake Francis "town square". Hoppy Hour once again two fantastic clubs will be pouring some of their finest beers, in addition to some fantastic appetizers. This is a time for us to gather together and catch up with one another while we sample a beer or three.

Event Speakers

Saturday afternoon offers talks by nationally known speakers from the professional and amateur circles. Past speakers have included Fritz Maytag, Fred Eckhardt, Byron Burch, Fal Allan, Ken Grossman, Vinnie Cilurzo, and Matt Bryndilson, to name a few.

Festival Entertainment

Bring your guitar, harmonica or tambourine and join the jam band Saturday night (no accordions please).

Contact Us

Need to reach us? Here is our email address:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Friday Night Brewers Dinner

Most fest goers are familiar with the famous Friday Night Brewers Dinner hosted by the incredible Homebrew Chef, Mr. Sean Paxton. Stay tuned for more information as the festival draws near.

Tickets for Friday Night Brewers Dinner will go on sale with general ticket sales late June. There are a limited number of seats available, so don't wait too long!

Club Keg Competition

In keeping with this year's theme, the annual NCHF keg competition will feature two styles:

  • Porter-based style
  • Mystery Grain Challenge

Clubs can enter their beer in the competition up to 11 AM on Saturday. Judging is by popular vote, open to all festival participants, begins at noon, and finishes at 4 PM. There will also be a panel of judges to decide best of show among the winners of the two styles.

A club can enter 1 beer in each category. Corny Kegs only!

You must provide, for each beer entered:

  • Gas cylinder and gas disconnect and hose
  • Beer liquid disconnect, preferably with threaded disconnect (not barbed)

Read more...

Logo Competition

All the logo design entries for the next years' festival will be on display for popular vote by you, the festival attendees. Help decide which logo will reign supreme on t-shirts and commemorative glasses!

Do you have a great idea for a logo? Next year's theme for Festival 16, 2013:

"Space: The Beer Frontier"

For more information see our page on Logo Competition Rules.