Fire up your brewing kettles, Margaret River’s greatest brewing battle is back for 2022

Homebrewers are encouraged to submit their personal crafts to the Margaret River Brewhouse’s annual Backyard Brewing Tournament, with entries now open for 2022. Now in it’s seventh year, the competition has become an icon among locals with this year set to be its biggest to date. This year, homebrewers from across the State will have their beers judged by an all-star panel of industry experts and legends including Margaret River Brewhouse’s own brewing cohort Caitlin Ellis and Joe Grieg, Artisans famed owner and brewer Brian Fitzgerald, WA brewing icon Jeremy Good, Senior Brewer with Running with Thieves Reuben Herriman and beer journalist Jono Outred. Together, the panel will determine whose brew is the best in the west, with the winner receiving a swag of prizes which includes having their beer brewed at Brewhouse and served on tap, as well as Statewide distribution in cans. Brewhouse owner Iliya Hastings said she hoped the competition would bring like-minded people together. “Our Backyard Brewing tournament is a community event, banding together brewers from across the region and further afar to share their passion and craft their own beer,” she said. The tournament culminates in a sell-out awards night which celebrates and recognises all the brewers who entered, with all tournament winners announced on the night. The Backyard Brewing Tournament has inspired many past winners to pursue their brewing aspirations, including 2016 winner Chris De Chaneet who believes the competition is a great way for homebrewers to improve their skills. “Entering your beer in the tournament is a great way to improve your homebrewing,” he said. “If you are serious about making the best beer possible, entering a competition encourages you to critique your brewing process with the aim of improving quality and consistency. “The feedback from judges can be useful to improve your homebrewing and if your beer is awarded a medal, you have bragging rights for years.” To enter visit atwww.margaretriverbrewhouse.com.au/backyardbrewing.