Beer Creek is celebrating National Homebrew Day this Saturday with their first Big Brew event. Now in its 25th year running, the annual event created by the National Homebrew Association in the past has brought together homebrew enthusiasts, as well as the homebrew curious at shops, backyards, and breweries across the nation to brew beer and celebrate the joys of homebrewing. This year, Beer Creek Brewing Company has stepped up to host the larger of the Santa Fe events to do just that, as well as help out a local homebrewer and friend to the industry.

It has been several years since I’ve been to a Big Brew event, or made my own beer for that matter, but I can tell you that these events have always been excellent opportunities to learn about homebrewing, meet others with an infectious love for the art, or if you’re already a homebrewer, they can be a fantastic chance to bring your equipment and geek out with other like-minded individuals.

Beer Creek brewer (and former homebrew shop owner) Jami Nordby shared the following helpful information for folks looking to brew on Saturday.

“Homebrewers are welcome with their own rigs,” he said. “We’re going to have hot water and cold water for mash in and knock out. We have base grains available, pilsner and pale malt for the recipes. We’ve got Belma hops, Eldorado hops, and Bravo from Santa Fe Brewing.”

For other homebrew supplies, you can still grab them at Southwest Grape & Grain and Victor’s Homebrew & Grape Arbor.

Homebrewers will only need to bring their mash tun, boil kettle, burning system, fermenters (which they will have to take home with them at the end of the day), as well as supply their own yeast.

Not only will this be a great coming-together of the local homebrew community, maybe the first of the larger events in quite some time, but it’s also a benefit to help a brother-in-beer though some very tough times.

As you may have heard, local retired assistant fire chief and avid homebrewer Ted Bolleter recently lost his home and beloved family fur baby, Sol, to a fire in April, in which he also sustained multiple long-term injuries. The community has been very supportive so far, but the family could still use our help, and Beer Creek is giving us one more way to send good vibes and lend some aid.

“Fifty cents of every pint sold, as well as 100 percent of donations (for the ingredients) will also go to Ted and his family,” Beer Creek co-owner Rich Headley said.

With several members of the local homebrew clubs already signed up to attend, it’s already promising to be a great event for a great cause, with camaraderie and shop-talk aplenty. I also have it on good authority that it’s a barbecue weekend at the Creek. So, if homebrewing is your thing, or you’re interested in learning more about it from a ton of excellent brewers, while eating barbecue and sipping on the ol’ suds, or if you just want to come out to show some support, I couldn’t think of a better time and place to relax and have your first homebrew experience.

Doors are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the southern entrance open to homebrewers (only) and their equipment at 3810 NM-14, Santa Fe, NM.

To thinking globally, drinking locally, cheers!

— Luke

For more @nmdarksidebc news and unfiltered Untappd check-ins, follow me on Twitter @SantaFeCraftBro.