CANADIAN HOMEBREW DAY: Meet the 2025 Homebrew Heroes!
Celebrating Canadian Homebrew Day with passion, precision, and a whole lot of yeast!
At Escarpment Labs, we truly believe that homebrewers are the backbone of the brewing industry. You'd be remiss to find a homebrewer that isn't as passionate as they are precise, full of curiousity, and eager to learn. That’s why, for Canadian Homebrew Day 2025, we launched our first-ever Homebrew Heroes contest — a chance to spotlight three homebrewers who inspire us with their dedication, creativity, and community spirit.
We received so many thoughtful entries, and choosing just three wasn’t easy. But these stories stood out for their heart, history, and impact. Join us in celebrating this year’s Homebrew Heroes!
James Kennedy (Toronto, ON)
Why do you homebrew? What keeps you coming back to it?
"Doing things yourself is important. I started brewing because it sounded fun and there was the prospect of saving money, but we all know that's not what keeps homebrewers brewing. I enjoy the process, it's relaxing. We've all got stressful jobs, but brewing isn't one of them. It's a little bit art, a little bit science, but I think I keep brewing because my beer is good and it's nice having a light lager on tap at home.
Brewing can be a portal to another world. I know that sounds corny (keg-hahaha), but it's accurate. A recipe can transport you through time to the early brewing on the 20th century, or further back, the first lagers, or the Trappist monk's daily ration, George Washington's beer recipe (disgusting it turns out), or even the recreation of Egyptian raisin honey beers. With so many yeast strains now available, and all the grain and hops, it's possible to brew any beer from any place, anywhere in the world.
Unlike making your own wine or cider, brewing offers the possibility of exact replication. You can consistently make an identical copy of a commercial beer with the right water, malt, hops, and yeast. If I really want a Dogfish Head Sea Quench in Ontario this summer I can have it. Brewing crosses borders and takes you any place you want to go, regardless of trade wars, tariffs, politics, or distance. I love it."
What makes you a Homebrew Hero?
"It's tough to sell myself as a homebrew hero, I'm sure many are more dedicated to the hobby than I am--I'd look to our club officers as an example. As for me, I've maintained the hobby consistently for over 10 years. Trends have come (Cold IPA is an over hopped lager), and gone (Milkshake IPAs), and stayed (hazies.) Consistency is important in many things, but especially brewing things.
I've discussed this idea of the 'homebrewer's arc' with members of our club, GTA Brews. Essentially, a brewer comes out hot, brewing like the madman, getting better with each brew, maybe winning a medal or two, refining, improving, and eventually becoming consistent. After all the new gear and upgrades, numerous medals, endless compliments from friends and colleagues, the apex creeps up on the brewer. The brews start coming fewer and fewer, the gear gets dusty, then packed further away into storage. And for many, that's it. The next time it comes out, it's going up on marketplace.
I've hit my plateau but I haven't given up. I still brew regularly (once every 1–2 months), and in addition to trying new recipes (recently a British Brown jacked up with Frangelico), I continue to refine my favourites—Euro lagers, cream ales, North American light lagers, American amber— just absolutely crushable beers that are as good in the summer heat as they are with a heavy meal in the dead of winter. Always have a keg on tap, always have a back-up lagering. I've settled into a groove that is achievable. I still submit beer to comps, help out the club with all the graphic design and branding, share my beer with friends, and encourage others to continue past the apex. I know that's not Superman stuff, but I think Clark Kent does good work too."
Dominique Labre (Gloucester, ON)
Why do you homebrew? What keeps you coming back to it?
"I've been homebrewing for over 7 years. I started brewing after I asked a friend—who served his beer at my wedding—to teach me about beer making! I fell in love with making beer and very quickly upgraded my system from a stove top to a full-on 3-vessel system.
I find homebrewing to be the perfect hobby! It's artistic, creative, deeply scientific and complicated but also communal. It gets people to gather, share, and educate each other to better our beer and improve the range of skills we all want to have to be better brewers!"
What makes you a Homebrew Hero?
"In 2022 I founded the Ottawa Homebrew Society, a homebrewers club that focuses on meeting monthly, sharing brews and teaching each other's brewing tips and tricks!
And in the few years we've been around, we’ve taken the Homebrew Competition circuit by storm by placing 3rd place behind the two largest homebrew clubs in Canada!
I've been the competition director of multiple local and national homebrew competitions. I’ve also finished my Level 3 Prud’homme Beer Sommelier Certification this year.
My goal with that will be to continue to educate the public and my homebrew club on the joy of food and beer as the perfect pairing for all meals/occasions and for all times of the year! I want to continue to grow the OHBS, continue to compete on the national circuit, help spread the joy of homebrewing and hope to continue to judge both homebrew and professional beer competitions."
Wuilmer Venegas (Toronto, ON)
Why do you homebrew? What keeps you coming back to it?
"For me, homebrewing isn’t just a hobby. It’s my space of freedom, where I disconnect from daily stress and reconnect with myself. Every batch is a conscious pause — a way to create, to learn, and to enjoy. I keep brewing because it brings me peace, challenges me."
What makes you a Homebrew Hero?
"I started homebrewing five years ago during the pandemic, following the loss of a loved one. Brewing became a way to cope with grief and isolation—it gave me purpose, creativity, and a space to heal. I never imagined how quickly it would grow: just a year in, I won second place in a national competition, and soon after became a BJCP judge, participating as a steward and staying deeply involved in the homebrew community.
When I moved to Canada in 2022, my passion only grew. This country has given me so much knowledge, inspiration, and a vibrant brewing community that welcomed me with open arms. In my first year here, I was honoured to win Toronto Brewer of the Year, and for two consecutive years I've placed in the Top 10 for Canada BOTY. But beyond medals, what drives me is learning, growing, and sharing with others.
I believe I should be one of this year’s Homebrew Heroes because my journey reflects the resilience, passion, and community spirit that homebrewing represents. I'm committed to keep learning and giving back to the Canadian homebrew scene that has already given me so much."
From all of us at Escarpment Labs: Happy Canadian Homebrew Day!
To our winners, and to every homebrewer out there who’s passionate about the craft—thank you. Your commitment, creativity, and curiosity drive this industry forward.
