California Mid-State Fair opens entries for home brewing competitions
Events invite Central Coast residents to submit beer, cider, perry, and wine
– The California Mid-State Fair announced the return of its 2026 Central Coast Home Brew Competition and Home Winemaking Competition, both scheduled to take place in May.
The competitions invite home producers to submit beer, cider, perry, and wine for evaluation by local judges. Organizers said the events provide an opportunity to participate in one of the fair’s longest-running traditions.
The Central Coast Home Brewing Competition will include beer, cider, and perry entries made by home brewers from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Judges will evaluate entries based on aroma, appearance, and flavor. Organizers select judges locally for their knowledge and experience, and participant feedback is a focus of the event.
Registration for the home brewing competition opens Feb. 24 and closes May 1. Organizers will accept physical entries May 4 through May 8. Judging is scheduled for May 17, with results announced May 19.
The Central Coast Home Winemaking Competition will include wines made by home winemakers from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Monterey counties. Judges will evaluate entries across six categories, including white, red, dessert, sparkling, and fruit wines, based on appearance, aromatics, and taste. The California Mid-State Fair recognized Baker Wine & Grape Analysis, ETS Laboratories, The Vintner’s Vault, and Humdinger Brewing for supporting the event.
Registration for the home winemaking competition opens Feb. 24 and closes April 17. Organizers will accept physical entries April 20 through April 24. Judging is scheduled for May 1, with results announced May 5.
Entry information and competition details are available at midstatefair.com/fair/contests.
The 2026 California Mid-State Fair will run July 15 through July 26 in Paso Robles. The theme is “Back to the ’80s!”
