Dominion Cup 2026
Thank you for your interest in the Dominion Cup 2026 organized by , Richmond, VA.
You only need to register your information once and can return to this site to enter more brews or edit the brews you've entered. You can even pay your entry fees online if you wish.
Thanks and Good Luck To All Who Entered the Dominion Cup 2026!
There are 464 registered entries and 403 registered participants, judges, and stewards.
As of 12:39 PM, EDT, there are 21 received and processed entries (this number will update as entries are picked up from drop-off locations and organized for judging).
Rules
The Dominion Cup is the homebrew competition hosted by the James River Homebrewers every year. This is our 34th year putting on what we hope is one of the best homebrew competitions in the region. Please read carefully to the rules for this year.
We are limiting the total entries to 450. We will return to requiring 2 bottles per entry. The cost per entry is $12. Note that you must pay for your entry in order to reserve your spot. We will not be issuing refunds for entries that are paid for but not received. As our competition fills up quickly, you are taking someone else's spot if you don't get your entries in, so it is important to enter what you plan to send. For extraordinary circumstances, contact the competition organizer.
*** ENTRY LIMITS PLEASE READ ***
We will limit the number of entries per brewer during the first week of registration (6/13- 6/20) to 4 entries. At that point, we will determine based on entries received to date the number that we will increase the limit to. We are doing this to help ensure as many folks can register as possible as we have often filled up in only a couple of hours.
All entries should be in 12 oz brown glass bottles, however green and clear glass will be accepted. We cannot accept larger bottles or swing-type caps due to the need to have uniform storage for the beers. We will also accept cans this year as long as there are no identifying marks on the cans and they take up the same space as a 12 oz bottle.
Exception: Mead and Cider ONLY may also use up to 750mL wine bottles in addition to the above.
The competition will be open to all Beer Styles, as well as Mead and Cider from the 2021 BJCP Guidelines.
Winners will be announced on the website and through social media after the Best of Show round is complete. Score sheets will be scanned into the website (or filled out electronically), but will not be delivered in person unless picked up during the competition final round.
*** NEW THIS YEAR - FUNKTASTIC MEADS BOTTLE ROYALE: FUNK IT Competition ***
In addition to the normal mead competition, we are excited to be working with Funktastic Meads to host the Bottle Royale: Funk It competition.
To Enter the Bottle Royale, simply Choose Style "MF1" which has been added specifically for this competition.
Click here for more information on the Bottle Royale: Funk It competition including detailed entry requirements, prizes, and background
NOTE: There is a limit of 1 entry per person for the Bottle Royale. You may also enter your mead as a standard BJCP style category if you want it evaluated for the traditional Dominion Cup Mead Table and BOS.
Entries for Bottle Royale should include full recipe, OG/FG, and an unattached bottle label (labels are optional but a unique name and well-designed label could be the deciding factor for this special category)
Judging Sessions
Bottle Sorting
Sunday, July 19, 2026 1:00 PM, EDT
Wednesday Evening Prelim
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 6:30 PM, EDT
Thursday Evening Prelim (TBD)
Thursday, August 6, 2026 6:30 PM, EDT
Friday Evening Prelim (TBD)
Friday, August 7, 2026 6:30 PM, EDT
Saturday Morning Main Session
Saturday, August 8, 2026 9:00 AM, EDT
Saturday Afternoon Main Session
Saturday, August 8, 2026 1:00 PM, EDT
Competition Official
You can send an email to any of the following individuals via Contact.
- Steve Jarrett — Competition Coordinator
Sponsors
James River Homebrewers is proud to have the following sponsors for the Dominion Cup 2026.
Judging Sessions
Wednesday Evening Prelim
08/05/2026 6:30 PM, EDT.
Thursday Evening Prelim (TBD)
08/06/2026 6:30 PM, EDT.
Friday Evening Prelim (TBD)
08/07/2026 6:30 PM, EDT.
Saturday Morning Main Session
08/08/2026 9:00 AM, EDT.
Saturday Afternoon Main Session
08/08/2026 1:00 PM, EDT.
Non-Judging Sessions
Bottle Sorting
07/19/2026 1:00 PM, EDT
Account Registration Open
Account registrations accepted 06/13/2026 12:00 PM, EDT through 07/18/2026 5:00 PM, EDT.
Registrations for judges or stewards accepted 06/13/2026 12:00 PM, EDT through 07/25/2026 5:00 PM, EDT.
Entry Registration Closed
Entry Drop-Off Open
Please pay attention to the notes provided for each drop-off location. There could be earlier deadlines for some drop-off locations listed, particular hours when entries are accepted, certain individuals to leave your entries with, etc. All entrants are responsible for reading the information provided by the organizers for each drop-off location.