Some of the biggest names in craft brewing got their start in homebrewing and it’s certainly a great way to develop your beer palate.

(Pic: Brews.com)

Bendigo local Justin McPhail has set himself the goal of developing Bendigo as an alternative to Melbourne in the craft beer scene. He knows its a tough gig, but as the saying goes, “The journey of a thousand miles starts and ends at the pub”.

Justin knows the potential that homebrewing has to kickstart craft brewing and soin conjunctionwith Basement Bar owner Scott Seymour, is organising a Bendigo homebrew competition with a public tasting component and is keen for all local homebrewers to get behind it to advance the cause of Better Beer for Bendigo.

Homebrewers from Bendigo and surrounds can enter for free and members of the public can get in for $10. The event will consist of 10 homebrewers showcasing a maximum of 3 different brews they have made, so for $10 members of the public get to taste plenty of different – and, hopefully, very good – homebrew, and have the opportunity to judge these beers. There will be different categories for prizes, including the judges award, and the most popular award based on public vote.

Homebrewers interested in entering can get an entry form by emailing basementbar@live.com.au. Entries close 20 May 2011 and there are just 10 places available for the first event.

Members of the beer drinking public should get along to The Basement Bar on 21 May from 3pm to sample the best that the Bendigo homebrew scene has to offer.