Victoria's open homebrew competition
Category winners will meet in one final, blind judging round to find the beer that best combines style accuracy, technical quality and overall execution.
The 2027 format
Best of Show is no longer a separate themed knockout entry. Your beer earns its place by winning an eligible prize category.
Every entry is assessed blind against its declared style. Entrants receive written feedback from their initial judging panel.
If a category spans multiple flights, the leading beers meet in a mini Best of Show. Judges compare the beers directly—scores from different panels are not compared.
The first-place beer from each eligible prize category advances to a final blind tasting by an experienced panel.
What wins?
The beer that best combines style accuracy, technical quality and overall execution.
The panel compares the category winners directly. The highest score from first-round judging does not automatically win.
How judging flows
Stage 1
Beers are judged blind against their declared styles. Each panel puts its leading beers forward.
Stage 2
When a category has multiple flights, the leading beers are compared side by side to decide the category winner.
Stage 3
Eligible category winners meet in one final blind tasting. One beer is named Beerfest Best of Show.
Start planning
Categories and final event details are still to come. These core entry requirements are already settled.
New for 2027
Previous Beerfest entries required one bottle or can. This year, each entry must be dropped off before the competition with two correctly labelled bottles or cans of at least 500 mL each; 750 mL bottles or cans are preferred. One is used for initial judging and any category comparison. The second is held for Best of Show if the beer wins its category.
Brewers may enter up to two beers in each prize category, but may enter a particular BJCP style only once per category.
Entrants must be Victorian residents. Entries must be handcrafted by hobbyist brewers using private equipment—not commercial or Brew on Premises facilities.
Every entry receives written feedback from its initial judging panel. Mini-BOS and final Best of Show rounds determine placings but do not generate additional scoresheets.
About Beerfest
Beerfest is Melbourne Brewers' annual homebrew competition and Victoria's longest-running open craft brewing competition. It welcomes first-time entrants, seasoned competitors, judges, stewards and curious visitors from across the state.
Judging matters, but so does catching up, talking beer and sharing what everyone has been brewing.
Keep an eye on the taps
Prize categories, event details and entry dates will be published here. Club news and announcements also appear on Melbourne Brewers' Substack.
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