North Park Homebrew store named Shop of the Year
Article By Millie Shamburger, American Homebrewers Association
North Park’s Homebrew shop wins first-ever American Homebrewers Association, Homebrew Shop of the Year award.
The local Homebrew shop plays an integral role in a local home-brewing community. Not only does it supply ingredients and equipment to make beer at home, but it’s also a source of learning for newbies, a gathering spot for homebrew clubs, a host for local competitions, and so much more.
To recognize the importance of supply shops to their local communities and the greater homebrewing hobby, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has established
the Homebrew Shop of the Year Award. Presented at Homebrew Con, the Shop of the Year Award recognizes a homebrew shop that helps spread the homebrew gospel while providing a great customer experience.
This year, the first ever Home- brew Shop of the Year Award was given to The Homebrewer, a San Diego-based shop opened by George Thornton. The Homebrew- er earned top marks among 99 shops nominated by AHA mem- bers, with judges evaluating shops on community support, homebrew education, customer service, home- brew promotion, and responsible business practices.
Thornton and The Homebrewer team are known for their top-notch, consistent inventory of fresh ingredients and for fostering a welcoming educational environment– including classes for all levels of homebrewers! A majority of their staff are Cicerone and/or Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) certified, allowing them to provide knowledgeable brewing insight while maintaining a friendly, non-judgemental atmosphere.
But for the Homebrewer Shop it doesn’t stop there. Beyond the beer, The Homebrewer hosts neighbor- hood trash pick-ups, complete with discounted beers at the shop’s affiliated commercial brewery (Home Brewery Co.), helps support local art installations, and organizes a Homebrew festival fundraiser to showcase local Homebrewers’ creations while raising funds for a local school.
