2024 Central Oregon Pro-Am Brewing Challenge
Winning homebrews to be brewed with commercial breweries and served in November
The Central Oregon Homebrewers Organization (COHO) is giving homebrewers the chance to take their craft to the next level by partnering with commercial breweries to scale up their best recipes on pro systems. Imagine trying your own beer on tap at one of Central Oregon’s best breweries, and sharing the results with friends, family, and people you don’t even know yet.
That is the concept for the second biennial Central Oregon Pro-Am Brewing Challenge, pairing homebrewers with commercial breweries to craft unique beers and compete for top honors at a people’s choice judging.
This competition is open to any Oregon resident homebrewer age 21 or older and is not limited to any particular category or style of beer, within the below guidelines. The beers will not be judged to a specific Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) style, but for technical merit and appeal for commercial brewing. Full guidelines can be viewed as the competition website and include:
Up to three entries may be submitted. It is possible for one brewer to have multiple winning entries.
Any style is acceptable; however, process and ingredients should consider feasibility for commercial brewing. Note: not all breweries can accommodate lagers.
A brief description of the beer is required. BJCP style is requested for flighting purposes only, not for judging. A complete printed recipe must be provided.
Entrants may designate a charity to receive part of the competition proceeds. Charities should have 501(c)(3) status and a presence in Central Oregon. They must be organized for the public benefit and are subject to approval by the COHO board and the participating brewery.
Entries are $15 per entry.
Participating breweries include 10 Barrel, Bridge 99, Bevel Craft Brewing, Boneyard Beer, Crux Fermentation Project, Deschutes Brewery, GoodLife Brewing, Bend Brewing Company, Spider City Brewing, Sunriver Brewing, Wild Ride Brewing, and Worthy Brewing. This may be subject to change.
The deadline for registration is July 26th, 2024, and beers can be dropped-off (or mailed in) from July 17–26. Drop-off locations are available in Portland, Eugene and Bend (see competition website for locations).
Judging will be August 6 with a panel of judges consisting of professional brewers and other beer experts, and participating breweries will choose which homebrewer’s winning beer they will brew. Brewing these winning beers will take place from late August through early October as scheduling allows, to be served at the breweries’ taprooms and a special Pro-Am People’s Choice event held at the Boneyard Pub in Bend on November 9.
For full details and rules, please visit the competition website page at https://beerawardsplatform.com/2024-co-pro-am.
Central Oregon Homebrewers Organization was founded in 2005 in Bend as a means for homebrew enthusiasts to educate themselves and others about brewing beer, wine, and other fermented beverages. The goal of the club is to associate ourselves with like minded individuals that have a thirst for knowledge and an appetite for an enjoyable time. The club is open to the public, and anyone with an interest is encouraged to participate. Visit cohomebrewers.org for more information.