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The '''Maltose Falcons Homebrewing Society''' (aka "The Falcons") is recognized as the longest running active [[Homebrewing|homebrew]] club in the United States. Founded in 1974.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kelleher |first=Kathleen |date=1992-10-02 |title=A Work in Progress : For the Maltose Falcons, one of the nation's largest, oldest and most competitive clubs of home brewers, beer is always |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-02-va-183-story.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> in [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles|Woodland Hills]], [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California,]] by Merlin Elhardt and John Daume,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ortega |first=Eric |date=2017 |title=THE GOLDEN STATE OF BREWING: CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE IN THE AMERICAN BREWING INDUSTRY. PART II |url=https://breweryhistory.com/journal/archive/172/California2.pdf |journal=Brewery History |issue=172 |pages=14–15}}</ref> the club helped legalize homebrewing in America and provided a model of club activities used by other American homebrew clubs.
The '''Maltose Falcons Homebrewing Society''' (aka "The Falcons") is a non-profit organization founded in 1974<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kelleher |first=Kathleen |date=1992-10-02 |title=A Work in Progress : For the Maltose Falcons, one of the nation's largest, oldest and most competitive clubs of home brewers, beer is always |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-02-va-183-story.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> in [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles|Woodland Hills]], [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]. Recognized as the oldest active [[Homebrewing|homebrew]] club in the United States<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ortega |first=Eric |date=2017 |title=THE GOLDEN STATE OF BREWING: CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE IN THE AMERICAN BREWING INDUSTRY. PART II |url=https://breweryhistory.com/journal/archive/172/California2.pdf |journal=Brewery History |issue=172 |pages=14–15}}</ref>, it played a pivotal role in the legalization of homebrewing, established a model of educational and promotional activities for later clubs and promoted the rise of the American [[Craft brewing|Craft Brewing]] industry<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stoller |first=Gary |title=Oldest Homebrew Clubs Helped Spark The Craft Beer Explosion |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystoller/2025/06/27/oldest-homebrew-clubs-helped-spark-the-craft-beer-explosion/ |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>.


The Falcons were involved in lobbying for state and federal legislation that legalized homebrewing, including H.R. 1337 signed by President Carter in 1978<ref name=":2" />.
The club promotes homebrewing through education, competitions and community-building activities. Second in age only to the [https://durdenparkbeer.org.uk/ Durden Park Beer Circle] in London (founded in 1971) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Are The Falcons? |url=https://www.maltosefalcons.com/pages/about-us |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Maltose Falcons |language=en}}</ref> the Falcons predate the 1978 founding of the [[American Homebrewers Association|American Homebrewers Association (AHA)]] by [[Charlie Papazian]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duncan |date=2025-03-07 |title=Director's Cut: The AHA Is Going Independent! |url=https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/zymurgy/directors-cut-the-aha-is-going-independent/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=American Homebrewers Association |language=en-US}}</ref>.


The club has been recognized nationally, winning the [[Anchor Brewing Company|Anchor Brewing]] “Homebrew Club of the Year” award multiple times and receiving the [[American Homebrewers Association]] Radegast Award in 2015.
The club is a founding member of the [https://calhomebrewers.org/ California Homebrewers Association (CHA)] and an AHA Registered Club.


⚫
=== Legal Efforts ===
Membership is open to any person of legal drinking age with an interest in home brewed beverages including beer, mead, cider, kombucha, seltzer and wine.
⚫
'''Legalization:''' The club was founded prior to the legalization of homebrewing both in California and the United States. The Falcons worked with other early clubs, including the [https://www.draughtboard.org/ Draught Board], [https://www.undergroundbrewers.org/ Underground Brewers of Connecticut] and the San Andreas Malts, and homebrewers like Lee Coe and Nancy Crosby<ref>{{Cite web |last=says |first=Rick Herron |date=2013-05-21 |title=The Audacity of Hops: The Cliff Notes |url=https://tomacitelli.com/2013/05/21/the-audacity-of-hops-the-cliff-notes/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=TomAcitelli.com |language=en}}</ref> to legalize homebrewing at the State and Federal level. Efforts succeeded with California Governor [[Jerry Brown]]'s signing of "The Bates Bill<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Walls |first=Patrick |date=2017-05-27 |title=Bill Owens: A US Craft Beer Pioneer, 1982-2001 |url=https://digital.sandiego.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=theses |journal=USCD Theses}}</ref>" and President [[Jimmy Carter]]'s signing of H.R. 1337 in 1978.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2019-09-30 |title=Jimmy Carter: American homebrew hero? |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/jimmy-carter-american-homebrew-hero |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=americanhistory.si.edu |language=en}}</ref> Legalization allowed the open discussion of small scale brewing, leading to growth of the hobby and the nascent craft beer industry<ref>{{Cite web |title=OAH {{!}} The Craft Beer Explosion: Why Here? Why Now? |url=https://www.oah.org/process/craft-beer-dighe/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>.

⚫
=== Legalization Efforts ===
⚫
The club was founded prior to the legalization of homebrewing both in California and the United States. The Falcons worked with other early clubs, particularly the [https://www.draughtboard.org/ Draught Board] and the San Andreas Malts, and homebrewers like Lee Coe<ref>{{Cite web |last=says |first=Rick Herron |date=2013-05-21 |title=The Audacity of Hops: The Cliff Notes |url=https://tomacitelli.com/2013/05/21/the-audacity-of-hops-the-cliff-notes/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=TomAcitelli.com |language=en}}</ref> to legalize homebrewing at the State and Federal level. Efforts succeeded with California Governor [[Jerry Brown]]'s signing of "The Bates Bill<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Walls |first=Patrick |date=2017-05-27 |title=Bill Owens: A US Craft Beer Pioneer, 1982-2001 |url=https://digital.sandiego.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=theses |journal=USCD Theses}}</ref>" and President [[Jimmy Carter]]'s signing of H.R. 1337 in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-30 |title=Jimmy Carter: American homebrew hero? |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/jimmy-carter-american-homebrew-hero |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=americanhistory.si.edu |language=en}}</ref> Legalization allowed the open discussion of small scale brewing, leading to growth of the hobby and the nascent craft beer industry<ref>{{Cite web |title=OAH {{!}} The Craft Beer Explosion: Why Here? Why Now? |url=https://www.oah.org/process/craft-beer-dighe/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>.

⚫
In 2015 and 2016, the club worked with the CHA to change California's rules to allow homebrew in licensed establishments (bars, breweries, restaurants, festivals)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Help Protect Your Rights - Contact Your Representatives! {{!}} Maltose Falcons |url=http://www.maltosefalcons.com/content/help-protect-your-rights-contact-your-representatives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504082445/http://www.maltosefalcons.com/content/help-protect-your-rights-contact-your-representatives |archive-date=2015-05-04 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=www.maltosefalcons.com |language=en}}</ref>. These changes legalized homebrew club meetings at local breweries and clubs pouring at non-profit beer festivals <ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Andy |title=AB 2172: Signed Into Law |url=https://www.calhomebrewers.org/ab-2172-signed-into-law/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=California Homebrewers Association |language=en-US}}</ref> which allowed public participation in meetings outside of member's homes and the continuation of both the [https://nchfinfo.org/ Northern] and [https://calhomebrewers.org Southern California Homebrewers Festivals.]

=== Club Governance ===
The club is incorporated as a [[501(c)(7) organization]] in California with publicly published [https://www.maltosefalcons.com/pages/by-laws-of-the-maltose-falcons By Laws]. Board members, including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership, Publicity, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster and Grand Hydrometer, are elected on an annual basis and serve from October to October. Board members are awarded a free year of membership after their service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=By Laws of the Maltose Falcons |url=https://www.maltosefalcons.com/pages/by-laws-of-the-maltose-falcons |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Maltose Falcons |language=en}}</ref>


⚫
'''Homebrew Usage:''' In 2016, the club worked with the [https://calhomebrewers.org California Homebrewers Association] to change state rules to allow homebrew in licensed establishments (bars, breweries, restaurants, festivals)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Help Protect Your Rights - Contact Your Representatives! {{!}} Maltose Falcons |url=http://www.maltosefalcons.com/content/help-protect-your-rights-contact-your-representatives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504082445/http://www.maltosefalcons.com/content/help-protect-your-rights-contact-your-representatives |archive-date=2015-05-04 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=www.maltosefalcons.com |language=en}}</ref>. These changes legalized homebrew club meetings at local breweries and clubs pouring at non-profit beer festivals <ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Andy |title=AB 2172: Signed Into Law |url=https://www.calhomebrewers.org/ab-2172-signed-into-law/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=California Homebrewers Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== '''Club Activities''' ===
=== '''Club Activities''' ===
The club runs multiple activities through the course of the year to promote homebrewing and craft beer. This includes monthly educational meetings, virtual happy hours<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drew |date=2020-06-23 |title=Maltose Falcons Homebrew Club Launches Weekly Happy Hour to Support Local Breweries |url=https://hopped.com/stories/articles/doing-good-maltose-falcons-weekly-happy-hour |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Hopped |language=en-US}}</ref> and brewing sessions<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verive |first=John |date=2014-01-14 |title=L.A.'s original home brew club Maltose Falcons is turning 40 with a bang |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-las-original-home-brew-club-maltose-falcons-turning-40-with-a-bang-20140114-story.htm |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>, as well as annual festivals and competitions. Meetings are open to the public with other events requiring membership.
'''Meetings:''' The membership meets monthly for an educational seminars and beer sharing. Meetings contain segments dedicated to beer education, business, lunch and homebrew tasting. Additional meetings dedicated to specific topics (e.g. Mead) are held separately.

'''Virtual Happy Hours:''' Beginning in April 2020, the club holds a monthly online happy hour with a partner brewery to promote the local brewing industry<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drew |date=2020-06-23 |title=Maltose Falcons Homebrew Club Launches Weekly Happy Hour to Support Local Breweries |url=https://hopped.com/stories/articles/doing-good-maltose-falcons-weekly-happy-hour |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Hopped |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Festivals:''' It hosts three camping festivals with homebrew and dinner every year (Mayfaire, Sunfest, Oktoberfest)

'''Competitions:''' Two public competitions (Doug King Memorial, The Mayfaire) and five internal competitions.

'''Public Brewing:''' They conduct periodic brewing demonstrations at the Home Beer, Wine, Cheese Making Shop and host "March Mashness" lessons at member's homes during March. The name continues homebrewers word play. (see [[March Madness|March Madness)]] They also brew collaboration beers with commercial breweries like Firestone Walker and Sierra Nevada <ref>{{Cite web |last=Verive |first=John |date=2014-01-14 |title=L.A.'s original home brew club Maltose Falcons is turning 40 with a bang |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-las-original-home-brew-club-maltose-falcons-turning-40-with-a-bang-20140114-story.htm |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>


===The Mayfaire Competition===
===The Mayfaire Competition===
Since 1979, the club has held an annual public competition that is the nation's oldest continually running homebrew competition. It was originally named "Springfest" (as opposed to the club's other fest - Oktoberfest.) It was changed in 1987 to Mayfaire to better reflect when the festival occurred.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-25 |title=Oldest U.S. Homebrew Club turns 40 in '14, partners with Eagle Rock and Firestone Walker - BeerPulse |url=https://beerpulse.com/2013/12/oldest-u-s-homebrew-club-turns-40-in-14-partners-with-eagle-rock-and-firestone-walker-2090/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> A number of winners have moved into the professional brewing world.
Since 1979, the club has held an annual public competition that is the nation's oldest continually running homebrew competition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-25 |title=Oldest U.S. Homebrew Club turns 40 in '14, partners with Eagle Rock and Firestone Walker - BeerPulse |url=https://beerpulse.com/2013/12/oldest-u-s-homebrew-club-turns-40-in-14-partners-with-eagle-rock-and-firestone-walker-2090/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> A number of winners have worked extensively in the hobby or moved into the professional brewing world.


Since 1990 the Best of Show winner has been awarded "The Bird"<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Dreams to Reality – Five Suits Brewing |url=https://fivesuits.com/from-dreams-to-reality/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> - a black statuette based on "[[The Maltese Falcon (1941 film)|The Maltese Falcon]]", the club's name sake and inspiration for the mascot's name, "Hashiell Dammett".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bostick |first=Kirbe |date=2018-02-15 |title=Party Time: Homebrew Club Bars |url=https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/how-to-brew/party-time-homebrew-club-bars/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=American Homebrewers Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
Since 1990 the Best of Show winner has been awarded "The Bird"<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Dreams to Reality – Five Suits Brewing |url=https://fivesuits.com/from-dreams-to-reality/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> - a black statuette based on "[[The Maltese Falcon (1941 film)|The Maltese Falcon]]".


The Mayfaire serves as one of three competitions that awards points for medals towards the Sierra Nevada California Homebrewer of the Year Award<ref>{{Cite web |last=DuRose |first=Jenny |date=2009-01-01 |title=QUAFFers Guide to Homebrew Competitions The 2009 Competition Season |url=https://quaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-27-09_Meeting_Notes.pdf |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Quaff.org}}</ref>
The Mayfaire serves as one of three competitions that awards points for medals towards the Sierra Nevada California Homebrewer of the Year Award<ref>{{Cite web |last=DuRose |first=Jenny |date=2009-01-01 |title=QUAFFers Guide to Homebrew Competitions The 2009 Competition Season |url=https://quaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-27-09_Meeting_Notes.pdf |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Quaff.org}}</ref>
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==== Notable Past winners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Champions |url=https://www.maltosefalcons.com/pages/hall-of-champions |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Maltose Falcons |language=en}}</ref> ====
==== Notable Past winners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Champions |url=https://www.maltosefalcons.com/pages/hall-of-champions |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Maltose Falcons |language=en}}</ref> ====
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
⚫
* 1985, 1986, 1987 - John Maier - founding brewmaster of Rogue Ales
* 1979, 1980,1984,1989 - Brent Wilson - The first winner (and most victories overall)
⚫
* 1985, 1986, 1987 - John Maier - future brewmaster of Rogue Ales
* 1993 - Norman Dickenson - Inaugural governing committee member for the independent BJCP
* 2002, 2003, 2007 - Jamil Zainasheff - Ninkasi Award winner, beer author and podcast host, founder of Heretic Brewing.
* 2002, 2003, 2007 - Jamil Zainasheff - Ninkasi Award winner, beer author and podcast host, founder of Heretic Brewing.
* 2005, 2006 - Mike McDole - podcaster and beer educator
* 2005, 2006 - Mike McDole - podcaster and beer educator
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Members notable for their work in the hobby or professional brewing world include:
Members notable for their work in the hobby or professional brewing world include:


* John Aitchison - [https://www.tavernservice.com/ Tavern Services], Nationally ranked beer and mead judge and educator<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-10 |title=About |url=https://homebeer.com/contact-info/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=HOMEBEER.COM |language=en}}</ref>
* Drew Beechum - author, [https:///www.experimentalbrew.com Experimental Brewing podcast], founding board member of the [[American Homebrewers Association|AHA]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duncan |date=2025-03-07 |title=Director's Cut: The AHA Is Going Independent! |url=https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/zymurgy/directors-cut-the-aha-is-going-independent/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=American Homebrewers Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Drew Beechum - author, [https:///www.experimentalbrew.com Experimental Brewing podcast], founding board member of the [[American Homebrewers Association|AHA]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duncan |date=2025-03-07 |title=Director's Cut: The AHA Is Going Independent! |url=https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/zymurgy/directors-cut-the-aha-is-going-independent/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=American Homebrewers Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Chuck Bennett - designer of [[Sierra Nevada Brewing Company|Sierra Nevada Brewing]]'s early labels<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryson |first=Lew |date=2020-01-14 |title=Seen Through a Glass: Sierra Nevada is 40 -- an interview with Ken Grossman |url=https://lewbryson.blogspot.com/2020/01/sierra-nevada-is-40-interview-with-ken.html |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Seen Through a Glass}}</ref>
* Chuck Bennett - designer of [[Sierra Nevada Brewing Company|Sierra Nevada Brewing]]'s early labels<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryson |first=Lew |date=2020-01-14 |title=Seen Through a Glass: Sierra Nevada is 40 -- an interview with Ken Grossman |url=https://lewbryson.blogspot.com/2020/01/sierra-nevada-is-40-interview-with-ken.html |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Seen Through a Glass}}</ref>
* Michael Bowe - founder of [https://angelcitybrewery.com/ Angel City Brewery]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullpint |first=Franny |date=2012-06-06 |title=Angel City Names New Brewmaster, Changes Ensue |url=https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/angel-city-names-new-brewmaster-changes-ensue/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The Full Pint - Craft Beer News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Michael Bowe - founder of [https://angelcitybrewery.com/ Angel City Brewery]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullpint |first=Franny |date=2012-06-06 |title=Angel City Names New Brewmaster, Changes Ensue |url=https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/angel-city-names-new-brewmaster-changes-ensue/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The Full Pint - Craft Beer News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Bruce Brode - major contributing author of the [[Beer Judge Certification Program]] Style Guidelines<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brode |first=Bruce |date=1999 |title=Beer Judge Certification Program Guide to Beer Styles |url=https://www.bjcp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/beerstyles.pdf |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=BJCP.org}}</ref>
* Paul Camusi - co-founder of [[Sierra Nevada Brewing Company|Sierra Nevada Brewing]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Clemens |first=Randy |date=2014-10-15 |title=On the House |url=https://lamag.com/drinking/house |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref>
* Paul Camusi - co-founder of [[Sierra Nevada Brewing Company|Sierra Nevada Brewing]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Clemens |first=Randy |date=2014-10-15 |title=On the House |url=https://lamag.com/drinking/house |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref>
* John Daume - co-founder of the club, owner of the [https://homebeerwinecheese.com/ Home Beer Wine Cheese Making Shop]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bosch |first=Rodney |date=2000-01-01 |title=Creative Spirits |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jan-01-me-49573-story.html |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* John Daume - co-founder of the club, owner of the [https://homebeerwinecheese.com/ Home Beer Wine Cheese Making Shop]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bosch |first=Rodney |date=2000-01-01 |title=Creative Spirits |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jan-01-me-49573-story.html |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Merlin Elhardt - discovered German lagers while stationed overseas, founded the organization to make better German style beers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-25 |title=Key Players in the Craft Beer Movement |url=https://blog.marvelrefrigeration.com/bob-the-beer-engineer/key-players-in-the-craft-beer-movement/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The Marvel Life |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Merlin Elhardt - discovered German lagers while stationed overseas, founded the organization to make better German style beers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-25 |title=Key Players in the Craft Beer Movement |url=https://blog.marvelrefrigeration.com/bob-the-beer-engineer/key-players-in-the-craft-beer-movement/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The Marvel Life |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Mark Jilg - founder of [https://craftsmanbrewing.com/ Craftsman Brewery]<ref name=":1" />
* John Maier - retired brewmaster at [[Rogue Ales]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Lisa |date=2011-03-17 |title=John Maier – Born To Be Rogue |url=https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/john-maier-born-be-rogue/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The Beer Connoisseur® |language=en-US}}</ref>
* John Maier - retired brewmaster at [[Rogue Ales]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Lisa |date=2011-03-17 |title=John Maier – Born To Be Rogue |url=https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/john-maier-born-be-rogue/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The Beer Connoisseur® |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Cyrena Nouzille - founder - LadyFace Ale Companie, [[Brewers Association]] Board Member<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cyrena Nouzille |url=https://www.brewersassociation.org/profile/cyrena-nouzille/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250520233720/https://www.brewersassociation.org/profile/cyrena-nouzille/ |archive-date=2025-05-20 |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=Brewers Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Maribeth Raines - founder of [https://www.brewbound.com/breweries/great-beer-co Great Beer Company], Brewtek Yeast<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2022-03-06 |title=The Story Behind Denny's Favorite 50 - Wyeast 1450 |url=https://www.homebrewfinds.com/the-story-behind-dennys-favorite-50-wyeast-1450/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Homebrew Finds |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Jeremy Raub - founder of Eagle Rock Brewery, the first new brewery to open in LA City in 60 years<ref>{{Cite web |title=Age Verification – Eagle Rock Brewery |url=http://www.eaglerockbrewery.com/our-story/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |language=en}}</ref>
* J. Howard Standing - donated the original "Bird" statue, designed the [[California state tartan|California State Tartan]]
* Marty Velas - founder of [https://www.fanaticbrewing.com/ Fanatic Brewing]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roark |first=Cortney |title=Velas' lifetime of brewing leads to dream come true in Fanatic Brewing Co. |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/money/business/2018/03/05/velas-lifetime-brewing-leads-dream-come-true-fanatic-brewing-co/358610002/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Marty Velas - founder of [https://www.fanaticbrewing.com/ Fanatic Brewing]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roark |first=Cortney |title=Velas' lifetime of brewing leads to dream come true in Fanatic Brewing Co. |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/money/business/2018/03/05/velas-lifetime-brewing-leads-dream-come-true-fanatic-brewing-co/358610002/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Skip Virgilio - co-founder of [[AleSmith Brewing Company|AleSmith Brewing]]<ref name=":1" />
* Skip Virgilio - co-founder of [[AleSmith Brewing Company|AleSmith Brewing]]<ref name=":1" />

Revision as of 20:52, 28 June 2025

Maltose Falcons Homebrewing Society
Formation1974; 51 years ago (1974)
FounderMerlin Elhardt, John Daume
TypeNonprofit
Legal status501(c)(7) organization
PurposeLearning to make the best beer possible
HeadquartersWoodland Hills, California
Membership150 (2025)
President
Tiffany Ashrafi
Websitemaltosefalcons.com

The Maltose Falcons Homebrewing Society (aka "The Falcons") is a non-profit organization founded in 1974[1] in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. Recognized as the oldest active homebrew club in the United States[2], it played a pivotal role in the legalization of homebrewing, established a model of educational and promotional activities for later clubs and promoted the rise of the American Craft Brewing industry[3].

The Falcons were involved in lobbying for state and federal legislation that legalized homebrewing, including H.R. 1337 signed by President Carter in 1978[4].

The club has been recognized nationally, winning the Anchor Brewing “Homebrew Club of the Year” award multiple times and receiving the American Homebrewers Association Radegast Award in 2015.

Legalization: The club was founded prior to the legalization of homebrewing both in California and the United States. The Falcons worked with other early clubs, including the Draught Board, Underground Brewers of Connecticut and the San Andreas Malts, and homebrewers like Lee Coe and Nancy Crosby[5] to legalize homebrewing at the State and Federal level. Efforts succeeded with California Governor Jerry Brown's signing of "The Bates Bill[6]" and President Jimmy Carter's signing of H.R. 1337 in 1978.[4] Legalization allowed the open discussion of small scale brewing, leading to growth of the hobby and the nascent craft beer industry[7].

Homebrew Usage: In 2016, the club worked with the California Homebrewers Association to change state rules to allow homebrew in licensed establishments (bars, breweries, restaurants, festivals)[8]. These changes legalized homebrew club meetings at local breweries and clubs pouring at non-profit beer festivals [9]

Club Activities

The club runs multiple activities through the course of the year to promote homebrewing and craft beer. This includes monthly educational meetings, virtual happy hours[10] and brewing sessions[11], as well as annual festivals and competitions. Meetings are open to the public with other events requiring membership.

The Mayfaire Competition

Since 1979, the club has held an annual public competition that is the nation's oldest continually running homebrew competition.[12] A number of winners have worked extensively in the hobby or moved into the professional brewing world.

Since 1990 the Best of Show winner has been awarded "The Bird"[13] - a black statuette based on "The Maltese Falcon".

The Mayfaire serves as one of three competitions that awards points for medals towards the Sierra Nevada California Homebrewer of the Year Award[14]

"The Bird" Trophy - Hashiell Dammett
"The Bird" Trophy - Hashiell Dammett

Notable Past winners[15]

  • 1985, 1986, 1987 - John Maier - founding brewmaster of Rogue Ales
  • 2002, 2003, 2007 - Jamil Zainasheff - Ninkasi Award winner, beer author and podcast host, founder of Heretic Brewing.
  • 2005, 2006 - Mike McDole - podcaster and beer educator
  • 2008, 2012 - Mike Mraz - founder of Mraz Brewing
  • 2015, 2017 - Nick Corona - founder of Five Suits Brewing

Other Competitions

The Falcons run two additional competitions: The Doug King Memorial Lager and Speciality Beer Competition and an Oktoberfest Competition[16]. They also ran the defunct Los Angeles County Fair Homebrew Competition[17] (1988-2014)

Awards and Accolades

Over the years the club and members have won a number of awards at the State and National level

  • 1988 - John Maier - National Homebrewer of the Year from the AHA.[18]
  • 1989 - Anchor Brewing's California Homebrew Club of the Year[1]. The club would win this award again in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2011[19] and 2014[20]
  • 1999 - Tom Wolf wins the second Masters Championship of Amatuer Brewing[21]
  • 2015 - Wins the AHA's Radegast Homebrew Club of the Year Award[22]
  • 2023 - Drew Beechum awarded the AHA Governing Committee Recognition Award[22]

Notable Members

Members notable for their work in the hobby or professional brewing world include:

References

  1. ^ a b Kelleher, Kathleen (1992-10-02). "A Work in Progress : For the Maltose Falcons, one of the nation's largest, oldest and most competitive clubs of home brewers, beer is always". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  2. ^ Ortega, Eric (2017). "THE GOLDEN STATE OF BREWING: CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE IN THE AMERICAN BREWING INDUSTRY. PART II" (PDF). Brewery History (172): 14–15.
  3. ^ Stoller, Gary. "Oldest Homebrew Clubs Helped Spark The Craft Beer Explosion". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
  4. ^ a b "Jimmy Carter: American homebrew hero?". americanhistory.si.edu. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  5. ^ says, Rick Herron (2013-05-21). "The Audacity of Hops: The Cliff Notes". TomAcitelli.com. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  6. ^ Walls, Patrick (2017-05-27). "Bill Owens: A US Craft Beer Pioneer, 1982-2001". USCD Theses.
  7. ^ "OAH | The Craft Beer Explosion: Why Here? Why Now?". Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  8. ^ "Help Protect Your Rights - Contact Your Representatives! | Maltose Falcons". www.maltosefalcons.com. Archived from the original on 2015-05-04. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  9. ^ Carter, Andy. "AB 2172: Signed Into Law". California Homebrewers Association. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  10. ^ Drew (2020-06-23). "Maltose Falcons Homebrew Club Launches Weekly Happy Hour to Support Local Breweries". Hopped. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  11. ^ Verive, John (2014-01-14). "L.A.'s original home brew club Maltose Falcons is turning 40 with a bang". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  12. ^ "Oldest U.S. Homebrew Club turns 40 in '14, partners with Eagle Rock and Firestone Walker - BeerPulse". 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  13. ^ "From Dreams to Reality – Five Suits Brewing". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  14. ^ DuRose, Jenny (2009-01-01). "QUAFFers Guide to Homebrew Competitions The 2009 Competition Season" (PDF). Quaff.org. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  15. ^ "Hall of Champions". Maltose Falcons. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  16. ^ Li, Kathy Yan (2020-03-04). "Canadian Invasion—A look into an American homebrew club". Canadian Homebrewers Association. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  17. ^ "Fairplex Records". oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  18. ^ Abatzoglou, Anna (2016-08-22). "John Maier: 1 Brewmaster, 20,000 Brews By the Sea". CraftBeer.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  19. ^ geokills (2010-12-04). Maltose Falcons - Anchor Home Brew Club of the Year Announcement with Bob Brewer. Retrieved 2025-06-24 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ Davis, Cullen (2014-12-01). "We Win" (PDF). Brews & News. 40 (11): 1–4.
  21. ^ "MCABWinners1999 – Master Championship of Amateur Brewing". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  22. ^ a b "American Homebrewers Association Awards". American Homebrewers Association. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  23. ^ Duncan (2025-03-07). "Director's Cut: The AHA Is Going Independent!". American Homebrewers Association. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  24. ^ Bryson, Lew (2020-01-14). "Seen Through a Glass: Sierra Nevada is 40 -- an interview with Ken Grossman". Seen Through a Glass. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  25. ^ Fullpint, Franny (2012-06-06). "Angel City Names New Brewmaster, Changes Ensue". The Full Pint - Craft Beer News. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  26. ^ a b Clemens, Randy (2014-10-15). "On the House". LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  27. ^ Bosch, Rodney (2000-01-01). "Creative Spirits". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  28. ^ "Key Players in the Craft Beer Movement". The Marvel Life. 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  29. ^ Morrison, Lisa (2011-03-17). "John Maier – Born To Be Rogue". The Beer Connoisseur®. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  30. ^ Roark, Cortney. "Velas' lifetime of brewing leads to dream come true in Fanatic Brewing Co". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
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