Mashing-In News: Homebrew & Fresh Hop Competition Seasons
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 — Michael Keaton turns 74 today!
From homebrew competitions in Tacoma to fresh hop fests in Seattle, from Bay Area closures to big national expansions, today’s craft beer news captures both the challenges and innovations shaping the industry—locally and beyond.
Grit & Grain Podcast Dives Into Homebrew Competition Season
Episode 158 of the Grit & Grain Podcast spotlights homebrew competition season, featuring Dustin Striplin of Browns Point Homebrew Club discussing the return of their all-dark-beer Lights Out! contest and Phil Saurer introducing the new All-American Homebrew Competition focused on U.S.-developed styles, while also sharing the behind-the-scenes work and challenges of organizing these events and how brewers can enter for feedback and recognition. (Grit & Grain Podcast)
21st Amendment Brewery to Close San Leandro Facility After 25 Years
21st Amendment Brewery, a Bay Area staple founded in 2000, will shut down operations at its San Leandro production facility by early November 2025 after a financial backer withdrew support, though founders Shaun O’Sullivan and Nico Freccia hope to keep the San Francisco taproom and brewpub open as long as staffing allows. (VinePair)
Washington Beer Awards Revives Standalone Fresh Hop Competition
The Washington Beer Awards have revived their standalone Fresh Hop Competition, with online registration running September 9–18, entries due in early October, judging on October 12, and medals awarded October 16 at Growler Guys in Lake City—recognizing fresh hop beers in their prime across at least nine categories, separate from the main competition. (Northwest Beer Guide)
Seattle’s Growler Guys Kicks Off Six-Week Fresh Hop “Fresh-tival”
The Growler Guys in Seattle is celebrating fresh hop season with its annual six-week Fresh-tival, running from September 3 through October 16, 2025, featuring dozens of fresh hop beers on tap, a wide range of other styles, and culminating with the Washington Fresh Hop Awards Ceremony on October 16. (Washington Beer Blog)
The 10 Greatest Brewing Innovations of All Time
In the latest Book of Lists installment, Beervana highlights the 10 most important brewing innovations of the past 10,000 years—from hops and lager yeast to steam power and Pasteur’s pure yeast cultures—showing how each reshaped the way beer is made, preserved, and enjoyed. (Beervana)
Pure Project Taps Frigid.Cloud to Cut Brewing Energy Use
San Diego’s Pure Project Brewing has partnered with Australian startup Frigid. Cloud to slash energy use at its Vista facility—saving up to 24,000 kWh annually—while proving that smart brewing tech can deliver both sustainability and award-winning beer, celebrated with the release of their collab hazy IPA Cloud Pleaser. (The Brewer Magazine)
Garage Beer Secures Major Investment to Drive Nationwide Expansion
Garage Beer, the fastest-growing independent light beer brand in the U.S., has secured a strategic investment from Durational Capital Management to fuel nationwide expansion, while keeping Travis and Jason Kelce and Andy Sauer as operators and major shareholders, and adding industry veterans Bill Hackett (ex-Constellation) and Rich Pascucci (ex-Pabst) to its board. (PRNewsWire)
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