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.

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)

Porter-based Ale

This is loosely defined, as in the beginning days of this country, brewers had to make do with the ingredients at-hand. Hops weren't always in great supply, and fermentable adjuncts had to be used to make up their daily drink. Do some research, formulate an interesting brew. But the "base beer" style to build upon is a Porter. See the BJCP website for specific information. Look at styles 12, 20-23.

Mystery Grain Challenge

We will have more details soon, but like the Mystery Hop Challenge last year, we are working with Maltsters to obtain a historical type malt for clubs to use. We will reach out to the Club Reps with more information as this solidifies. If your club hasn't signed up a club representative, go to this link and register.