MONROE — Two members of local homebrewing club Cheese City Brewers & Vintners in Monroe recently had their beers selected to advance in the American Homebrewers Association National Homebrewing Competition. 

Logan Cisewski, Monroe, received first place in the American Wild Ale category and second place in the American Porter category. Donald Chell, Belleville, received third place in both the Wood-Aged Beer and European Sour Ale categories. 

Both men will now compete with other home brewers across the country for the Best of Show at the American Homebrewers Association Homebrew Con 2019 or “Brew England,” held in Providence, Rhode Island from June 27 to 30.

The AHA was founded in 1979, shortly after the signing of H.R. 1337, which legalized homebrewing. Just 34 entries were submitted in that first competition in 1979. In 2018, over 8,400 entries from 3,500 homebrewers across 19 countries submitted their beers for judging.

The nonprofit Cheese City Brewers & Vintners Homebrew Club was founded in Monroe in 2013 as a place for like-minded people with a passion for making their own beer, to gather together to promote the hobby. They meet on the first Wednesday of each month at Bartels & Co Tap on the east side of the Square to have tastings of their own beers as well as rare commercial offerings. 

The club usually meets several times a year to brew, especially for the AHA’s “Big Brew Day” on the first Saturday in May, the AHA’s “Learn to Homebrew Day” on the first Saturday in November, as well as other times.