Flannelfest

Welcome to Flannelfest 2025! 

PLEASE EMAIL QUESTIONS TO THE HOMEBREWER COORDINATOR AT events@downtownjanesville.com

In order to provide the best possible experience for both our attendees and our Home brewers, we have provided some basic guidelines below for each Home brewer intending on entering into this year’s Home brewing competition. 

Each Brewer may enter up to 3 beers into the competition. We are limiting the number of beers in each category, so be sure to sign up as soon as you are committed to this event. 

Each brewer will receive 1 free admission for a guest that will allow them to sample all of the beers at the festival, a commemorative beer stein, and use of all the festival games. Home brewers and their co-brewers will not need a ticket to the event.

This year, Home brewers will in located outside, in the Homebrew Village. Each Brewer with receive lunch, beer and you’ll  receive a commemorative shirt declaring you an official home brewer of Flannelfest. Each brewer is allowed a co-brewer, the co-brewer is entitled to lunch and drinks but will not get a shirt. Co-brewers must be 21.

The competition will award a 1st and 2nd place winner in each beer category and in addition to the individual category awards, an overall Judge's and People's choice award will also be presented at the conclusion of the competition. Judging for this competition will be conducted by selected brewers from various microbreweries and done as a blind competition. 

Event set-up information

********** VERY IMPORTANT************
Home brewer are required to drop off 2 bottles or cans of each beer they plan to enter into the competition by February 13th at 2pm to Farmhouse Brew Supply located at 3000 Milton Ave Suite 109 Janesville, WI 53545. Judging will take place before Flannelfest to ensure all brewers get proper feedback on their beers. 

There should be no discernible markings or labels on any of the bottles.

Cans are acceptable.
*********************************************
Placement of your table at Flannelfast will be based on when you sign up for the competition. You will receive your placement when you check-in.

Home brewers are required to have their respective stations setup at Flannelfest by 11:45am. Any participants who have not setup/shown up by that time will not be eligible for the competition. You will be able to check-in and begin setting up as early as 9am and those that are ready to go will have the opportunity to try their hand at Axe throwing before the event kicks off!

Each home brewer will get half of a 6 foot table. So please be considerate when determining how to set up your distribution space if you bring only 1 beer. 

Home brewers should also expect to bring everything necessary to serve their beers. Flannelfest will be unable to provide competitors with tools, serving equipment, or storage for entries. Please plan accordingly!

We will provide ice for your kegs if needed.

You may sell merch but under no circumstance can you sell alcohol at this event. If you are you will be removed from the competition and event and not allowed back to future Flannelfest events as a brewer. Selling alcohol is illegal without a license and puts our license at risk. 

The Home brew competition will take place outside in The Home brew Village brought to you by The Looking Glass. You will be under 3 sided tents. There is no heat or electricity available. We strongly recommend you plan accordingly.

Being in the tents outside will provide the much needed space we have lacked in past years as this is the most popular portion of the event. It will also allow you as the home brewer to liven up your space as you see fit. We are even going to have a “best dressed tent” award, so have fun with it! Just remember there won’t be electricity. 

Have fun! As festival guests make their way to your table, don’t be shy to talk about your beer! Remember, this event shines the light on YOU, the home brewer. This is a day to give the public a chance to taste your creations! Have fun with the names of your beers and feel free to dress up to fit the day!