AHA Membership

Dr Malt · 10-24-2007, 06:29 PM

Anyone here a member of the American Homebrewers Association? If so, do you feel you get value out of for the price of membership? What do you find of value particularly?

Dr Malt

**olllllo** · 10-24-2007, 06:36 PM

I got it for the GABF and NHC discounts. The restaurant discount might be more useful in other parts of the country. I don't frequent the AZlisted ones, mostly chain breweries. Zymurgy is a good read.

In short, if you go the the conferences, it's a must.

Fish · 10-24-2007, 06:45 PM

I was a member this year but I may not renew. I read Zymergy but I don't find it a must read. I think there is only one place locally that will give an AHA discount but I have never been.

**EdWort** · 10-24-2007, 06:49 PM

If you join, you can get discount at BJ's

Actually, the mag & discounts on food, beer, & conferences pay for membership.

BJ's Brewpub took Silver this year at GABF for the Pirahhna Pale Ale. It's a tasty beer and I'm fortunate to travel where there are located, plus we're getting one here in Austin.

**olllllo** · 10-24-2007, 06:51 PM

Just to add. Sometimes you can get a AHA discount at places not listed. Worked a few times for me.

**EdWort** · 10-24-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olllllo

Just to add. Sometimes you can get a AHA discount at places not listed. Worked a few times for me.

Good idea. Like Grandma used to say, "Fragen kostet nichts".

srm775 · 10-24-2007, 07:02 PM

I joined a long time ago and cancelled my membership within a few months. I didn't find any value in it. I don't want to become a beer judge, attend any of the conferences or participate in the competitions. The books and materials I received as part of my membership was literally 20-25 years old.

As a matter of fact, the pub discount was one benefit that was brand new (they literally just launched) at the time I joined but there weren't many participants in the area. 5-6 years later ... there's the same number of particpants listed, that's even after I emailed them, at the time, a huge list of pubs with contact info to try and recruit. Zymurgy isn't bad, but I've found forums MUCH more informative, better exchange of ideas.

IMHO, you're better off finding a local brew club. You'll get so much more and probably pay less.

RoaringBrewer · 10-24-2007, 07:20 PM

My 2007 membership probably paid for itself at least 3-4 times...

As if the magazine subscription enough wasn't cool...

I went to Dogfish about 5-6 times during the year, Rock Bottom 5-6 times over the past year, and a few others (Barley Creek) in my area on the list...

15% off food and drink adds up quick when you are spending $50-100 a pop... And I only paid $30ish (?!) for the membership if I recall. I need to renew before January 08...

Cheesefood · 10-24-2007, 09:45 PM

Illinois is ignored by most craft brewers, and I never see any events in my area other than tastings at the Map Room in Chicago. There are no craft beer fests or anything of the like. I feel hurt and neglected by the beer world.

**Yuri_Rage** · 10-24-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesefood

Illinois is ignored by most craft brewers, and I never see any events in my area other than tastings at the Map Room in Chicago. There are no craft beer fests or anything of the like. I feel hurt and neglected by the beer world.

+1 for New Mexico. Especially southern NM. I was going to join and go to Nationals in Denver this year, but it didn't work out. There are only 3 listings for AHA pub discounts in the entire state, and they're all in the northern part of the state. Looks like I'll be moving further into the beer vacuum next spring with a relocation to Del Rio, TX, so it seems that AHA membership won't pay off for this homebrewer, either.