The Competition

The idea

Unlike most beer festivals, here, home brewers are the stars. We invite all amateur brewers to enter for your chance at $10,000 in cash prizes. Entry is open to anyone (except those who produce alcoholic beverages in a commercial setting). The only cost is your beer and your time.

The rules

Complete contest rules and eligibility can be found HERE.

  • The 2024 Hoppy Possum is open to just 75 brewers.

  • No professional brewers will be allowed to compete. Anyone working for a commercial producer of alcoholic beverages who’s job duties include any aspect of production, will not be permitted to compete.

  • Each brewer must serve beer/mead/cider/etc. of their own creation

  • 10 gallons of each beer entry is required

  • 5 gallons of each non-beer(cider, mead, etc.) entry is required

  • Brewers are allowed up to three entries

  • For every entry, the brewer will receive one complimentary ticket to the festival

  • The top five beer entries will be determined by popular vote. Those top five entries will move on to a final judging panel to determine winners. No style guidelines, no BJCP judges, just your beer up against that of your peers.

    • First place $5,000

    • Second place $1,600

    • Third place $800

    • Fourth place $400

    • Fifth place $200

  • The top three non-beer entries will be determined by popular vote. Those top three entries will move on to a final judging panel to determine winners.

    • First place $1000

    • Second place $700

    • Third place $300

The entry

Brewers who wish to participate in the 2024 Hoppy Possum: Southern Brewer Cup must complete an online application. Applications to compete/serve will be accepted beginning January 15, 2024. To apply please complete the form on the Brewer Application Page. All entries will be processed electronically. No brewer is approved to serve at the Hoppy Possum until they receive email confirmation that their application has been approved. Applications will be approved at the sole discretion of event organizers. By participating, the brewer agrees to be fully unconditionally bound by these rules.