Homebrewers from the states of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and Uruguay are competing for medals in Porto Alegre.
One of the things I love most about the world of homebrewing is that you don't need a brewery, a bar, or any intention of selling a single bottle. This weekend, October 10th and 11th, Porto Alegre will host the 14th State Competition of ACervA Gaúcha, the association of homebrewers from Rio Grande do Sul, and many of the recipes originated in garages, with equipment assembled at home.
The competition typically receives between 100 and 200 entries, and in 2026, there's an exciting development: for the first time, it will cross the border, with the participation of the Uruguayan Homebrewers Club. The Uruguayans already account for nearly 15% of the entries and participate both in the competition and as judges. The invitation arose from a meeting between homebrewers from Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay during a competition in Paraguay.
The judging follows the guidelines of the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program), with the entries divided into approximately a dozen categories, and judges from various regions of Brazil, including São Paulo, Paraná, and the North of the country. The beers that stand out the most advance to the "Best of Show" category, which determines the top three, and the gold medal winner qualifies for a national competition the following year, during the Blumenau Beer Festival.
The most fun part is on October 11th, starting at 2:00 PM: the awards ceremony at 4Beer, located in the Quarto Distrito (Avenida Polônia), with live music and socializing. Admission is free, and drinks are paid for at the bar. Stepping onto the stage, receiving the medal, and then enjoying a beer with it pinned to your chest – it's hard to imagine a better way to conclude a homebrewing competition.
Competition page: https://beerawardsplatform.com/xiv-concurso-estadual-acerva-gaucha
Source: GZH
The competition typically receives between 100 and 200 entries, and in 2026, there's an exciting development: for the first time, it will cross the border, with the participation of the Uruguayan Homebrewers Club. The Uruguayans already account for nearly 15% of the entries and participate both in the competition and as judges. The invitation arose from a meeting between homebrewers from Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay during a competition in Paraguay.
The judging follows the guidelines of the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program), with the entries divided into approximately a dozen categories, and judges from various regions of Brazil, including São Paulo, Paraná, and the North of the country. The beers that stand out the most advance to the "Best of Show" category, which determines the top three, and the gold medal winner qualifies for a national competition the following year, during the Blumenau Beer Festival.
The most fun part is on October 11th, starting at 2:00 PM: the awards ceremony at 4Beer, located in the Quarto Distrito (Avenida Polônia), with live music and socializing. Admission is free, and drinks are paid for at the bar. Stepping onto the stage, receiving the medal, and then enjoying a beer with it pinned to your chest – it's hard to imagine a better way to conclude a homebrewing competition.
Competition page: https://beerawardsplatform.com/xiv-concurso-estadual-acerva-gaucha
Source: GZH
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