TRACK BREWING X THE MALT MILLER

HOP HARVEST HOMEBREW COMPETITION 2026

Entries open Wednesday at 9am – 24th June.

Fresh hop season only comes around once a year, and this year we’re teaming up with Track Brewing Co. to celebrate it with a homebrew competition built around one of the most exciting times in the brewing calendar.

Whether you’re growing hops in the garden, sourcing fresh hops from a local hedgerow, or brewing with whole cone hops from further afield, this competition is your chance to showcase what harvest-time brewing is all about.

We’ve opened 100 entries across two categories, with judging taking place at Track Brewing’s Hop Harvest Festival in Manchester this October.

THE CATEGORIES

Fresh Hop

Brew a beer using unkilned fresh hops.

These can be home-grown, locally sourced, foraged or obtained directly from a hop farm if you know a friendly hop grower. Fresh hop beers are all about timing, seasonality and making the most of hops at their most vibrant.

Whole Cone

Brew a beer using commercially available whole cone hops.

Any hop variety is welcome and any beer style is fair game. We simply want to see what you can create when brewing with whole flower hops.

WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?

Anything goes when it comes to style.

Track Brewing’s judging panel will be looking for great beer first and foremost. The beers that progress furthest will demonstrate excellent aroma, flavour, balance, drinkability and a clear expression of hop character.

This is not about brewing to a style guideline. It’s about brewing the best beer you can.

YOUR ENTRY INCLUDES

Every entry purchased includes:

• Competition entry
• A can of Track Brewing Sonoma
• An 11g pack of WHC Pub Yeast (which doesn’t have to be used in the recipe)
• Full competition administration and judging
• Feedback from the judging process

We recommend adding any ingredients you need for your competition brew to your basket before checking out so everything can be shipped together.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & RULES

Each entrant must submit:

• 3 x cans or bottles (440ml or 500ml preferred)
• Overview of their recipe, including hop varieties used and for the wet hop beer, where they have been sourced from. – PLEASE ENSURE YOUR ENTRY NUMBER IS ADDED TO THIS AND NO IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
• For the fresh hop beer, a small pellet addition for bittering is permitted, however the focus of the beer should remain on fresh hops.
• Clearly labelled with your order number only (this is your entry number) & which category you have brewed for – either “FRESH HOP” or “WHOLE CONE HOP”
• No names or identifying information on the packaging
• Shipping deadline – Entries need to at Track Brewing Co. by Friday 16th Oct

JUDGING & RESULTS

Entries will be judged by representatives from Track Brewing Co., The Malt Miller and invited guest judges.

The first round of judging will take place behind closed doors before the finalists are selected.

Winners will then be announced at Track Brewing’s Hop Harvest Festival in Manchester on Saturday 24th October 2026.

PRIZES

There will be winners in both categories, along with additional runners-up prizes.

The overall winning brewer will also have the opportunity to work with Track Brewing Co. on bringing their beer to life on a commercial scale (recipe dependant)

Further prize details will be announced soon.

IMPORTANT

• Maximum 100 entries available
• One entry per person
• UK entrants only
• Over 18s only
• Entries close once sold out or when the submission deadline is reached

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Good luck, and happy harvest brewing.