For the first time, the annual Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest  will feature a battle of “East vs. West.” The 2015 contest will select one creative homebrew from each side of the Mississippi.

Winners will be announced at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, with  entries from two winning home brewers — as well as one Samuel Adams employee winner — available in the Samuel Adams LongShot variety six-pack in 2016.

Those interested in entering can visit samueladams.com/longshot for contest rules, regulations and information. The homebrew submission window is May 1- 16, 2015.

Samuel Adams has hosted the annual LongShot homebrew contest for nearly 20 years to celebrate American homebrewers.

Past LongShot American Homebrew Contest winners have gone on to become professional brewers, turning their homebrewing hobby into a full-time career. The most recent example is Cesar Marron, winner of the 2013 LongShot American Homebrew Contest, who opened Sketchbook Brewing Company inEvanston, IL following his win.

The American Homebrew Contest variety six-pack with winning brews from the 2014 winners will be available nationwide in select retail stores this spring. That year’s winners include Forestville, California resident Greg Rasmussen,Smithtown, New York resident Matthew Knott and Brooklyn, NY resident and Samuel Adams employee John Marra. The variety pack will include two bottles each of Greg’s “Raspy’s Robust Porter,” Matthew’s “Smokehouse Rauchbier” and John’s “Dark Night in Brooklyn” Dunkelweiss. 

About the 2014 winners:

• Greg Rasmussen’s“Raspy’s Robust Porter”: This traditional robust porter is full of complex malt flavors: cocoa, coffee, toffee, and slight vanilla. This mahogany porter has a roasty and chocolate aroma. The beer is complemented by slight citrus and earthy notes from US and UK hops.
• Matthew Knott’s“Smokehouse Rauchbier”: This deep-copper-colored Rauchbier has smoky, slightly savory flavors with a malty sweetness and roastiness. The smoky flavors are balanced by a light toffee malt character and slight citrus from the hops. The brew finishes with a lingering smokiness, sweetness and subtle hop character.
• John Marra’s“Dark Night in Brooklyn” Dunkelweiss: This beer is brewed with a traditional Bavarian yeast that contributes to the variety of aromas and flavors. The aroma is notes of tropical fruits and clove. The malted wheat contributes a bright clean cereal note, which complements the spicy flavors of clove, nutmeg, banana and a slight sweetness.