We gather the second Thursday of every month to share brews, swap recipes, and geek out over fermentation
science with fellow enthusiasts.
🏆
Award-Winning Club
Seven-time Nebraska Shootout Homebrew Competition champions. Our members consistently bring home medals at
local and national events.
📚
Education & Resources
From your first extract kit to advanced all-grain techniques, our experienced members are here to guide
every step of your brewing journey.
🤝
Community First
We're more than a club — we're a family of passionate brewers dedicated to craft, camaraderie, and great
beer right here in Omaha.
About the Club
Who we are & what we brew
Our Story
Homebrewers Local 402 was founded in 2012 by a small group of passionate craft beer lovers right here in
Omaha, Nebraska. What started as informal garage sessions quickly grew into one of the most active homebrew
clubs in the Midwest.
Named after Omaha's iconic 402 area code, we're deeply rooted in the local community. Today our membership
spans beginners and veteran brewers alike, united by a love of craft and collaboration.
We meet on the second Thursday of every month at locations around the metro area. Members share their
latest
brews, discuss techniques, and welcome anyone interested in learning the art of homebrewing.
Nebraska Shootout Championships
We're proud to be one of the most decorated clubs in the state of Nebraska. Our
members have taken home the Nebraska Shootout club championship title seven times:
2017201920202021202220242025
Members have also earned individual medals across
nearly every BJCP style category at state, regional, and national competitions.
By the Numbers
25+Members
7Shootout Championships
12+Years Active
200+Medals Won
Membership
Individual — $30/yr
Full access to all meetings, resources, group buys, and the members-only recipe library. Voting rights
included.
Family — $40/yr
Covers your entire household. Perfect if you have a brew partner at home. All individual benefits apply.
Student — $15/yr
Available to any full-time student 21+. Same benefits as individual membership at a reduced rate.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Common Questions
Do I need experience to join? ▾
Absolutely not! We welcome brewers of all skill levels — from complete beginners who've
never brewed a batch to seasoned veterans with decades of experience. Many of our most valuable
contributions come from newer members bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
When and where do you meet? ▾
We meet on the second Thursday of each month. Meeting locations rotate around the Omaha
metro area — typically at member homes, local breweries, or community spaces. The exact address for each
meeting is sent to members via email and posted on our event calendar a week in advance.
What should I bring to my first meeting? ▾
Just yourself and a positive attitude! If you have a homebrew you'd like to share, bring it
along — but it's not required at all. We always have plenty to taste and people eager to talk beer. You're
also welcome to bring a commercial beer you enjoy to share and discuss.
How much does membership cost? ▾
Annual dues are $30 for an individual membership, $40 for a family/household membership,
and $15 for full-time students 21+. Dues help cover club expenses, competition entry fees and shipping, and
a yearly membership gift (glassware, hats, shirts, etc).
Can I attend a meeting before joining? ▾
Yes! We encourage you to come to a meeting or two as a guest before committing to
membership. We want you to get a feel for the club culture and make sure it's a good fit. Reach out via our
Contact page and we'll send you details for the next gathering.
Do you do group equipment or ingredient purchases? ▾
Yes! One of the major perks of membership is access to our group buy program. We regularly
coordinate bulk purchases of grain, hops, yeast, and equipment at significant discounts. Members receive
announcements about upcoming group buys through our newsletter.
How do competitions work for club members? ▾
Members are encouraged to enter the Nebraska Shootout Homebrew Competition and other
regional events throughout the year. Our club submission collectively counts toward the club championship
standings. We also hold internal club competitions and style-specific challenges to sharpen your brewing
skills year-round.
Is there a minimum age requirement? ▾
Yes. In compliance with Nebraska state law, all members must be 21 years of age or older.
This applies to all meetings, events, and activities involving the sampling of alcoholic beverages.
Founders & Officers
The people who keep the club running
Club Officers
BD
Bryan Dort
President
CC
Clark Cheney
Vice President
JG
Justin Gerharter
Secretary
JC
Justin Cadwell
Treasurer
TM
Tom Mendick
Competition Coord. and Education
JM
John Matousek
Social Chair
Founding Members
Homebrewers Local 402 was established in
2012 by a dedicated group of Omaha homebrewers who believed the city deserved a world-class homebrew club. We
honor our founders for building the community we enjoy today.
DB
Derek Babb
Co-Founder
MM
Mark Milne
Co-Founder
SS
Scott Schemahorn
Co-Founder
CC
Clark Cheney
Co-Founder
DH
Denny Hynek
Co-Founder
MH
Mike Hall
Co-Founder
AG
Aaron Gunning
Co-Founder
Event Calendar
What's brewing this season
Upcoming Events
Apr11
Monthly Club Meeting — April
Saturday, 4/11 - Our 2nd annual Bockfest. Come poke some beers along with our usual monthly business —
check email for details.
Monthly Meeting
May02
Big Brew Day
Saturday, May 2nd - at Kros Strain brewing. Check your email for details as we get closer to the date.
Special Event
May14
Monthly Club Meeting — May
Thursday, May 14th - Monthly tasting, recipe swap, and club business. Location TBA — check email for
details.
Monthly Meeting
Jun6
Benson Beerfest
A beerfest in the streets of the Benson area. Local 402s will be
serving.
Special Event
Jun27
Beer on the Boardwalk
Saturday, June 27th - A beerfest at Fontenelle Forest.
Special Event
Jul25
Nebraska Shootout
Saturday, July 25th - The annual competition for Nebraska Homebrew clubs only.
Special Event
Photos
Moments from the homebrew scene
Gallery
Snapshots from our meetings, competitions, and brew
days over the years.
MEMBER
PHOTOS · SUBMIT YOUR BEST SHOTS TO THE CLUB EMAIL
Recipe Manager
Import and browse club BeerSmith recipes
// Upload BeerSmith XML File
📄
Drop your BeerSmith XML here
or click to browse — .xml files only
📎—
Supports: BeerSmith 2 & 3 XML exports. Multiple recipes per file are handled.
Each import is wrapped in a transaction — a failed recipe won't affect others in the same file.
