The IBU Open is an annual AHA/BJCP-sanctioned homebrew competition hosted by the Iowa Brewers Union.
IBU has held the competition every year since 2000, first called the Heartland Homebrew Contest. Each year homebrewers from around the Midwest and across the nation enter hundreds of beers to be judged. Entries in the recent years have averaged over 400 total. BJCP ranked judges from across Iowa and neighboring states attend the competition each year to help judge the hundreds of homebrewed beers, meads, and ciders. The Iowa Brewers Union has partnered with Confluence Brewing Company in Des Moines to host the IBU Open.
The 23rd annual IBU Open will be held in February of 2023 at Confluence Brewing Company. Judging will take place from February 27th through March 4th with winners announced during an award ceremony (live-streamed on our Facebook page) . Winners receive custom medals for first, second, and third in category as well as an amazing handmade award for Best of Show.
The IBU Open is part of the High Plains Brewer of the Year Circuit
The IBU Open competition committee for 2023 are:
- Zack Rice โ Competition Coordinator
- Aaron Reif โ Head Steward
- Tony Schubert โ Head Judge
- KC McKinney โ Head Cellar Master
- Scott Taylor โ Ceremony Coordinator