By the end of the Butler Brew Fest 2010, a home brewer will be chosen to represent Butler in a nationwide competition: the Sam Adams Longshot American Homebrew Contest.

Pat Bricker of Connoquenessing said he would have liked to take part in the competition, but since he's helping to organize Brew Fest 2010, he didn't think it would be proper to do so.

Tricia Sheakley at the Days Inn in Butler is helping organize the Brew Fest as well.

Bricker's 3 B's Tobacco & Brew in the Point Plaza carries all the necessities for home beer brewing.

Bricker did, however, brew five kegs of beer himself just for guests to sample at this first-time event planned for 3 to 9 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Days Inn, Route 8, south of Butler.

The Sam Adams company will produce the national winner's beer as a craft beer.

"A craft beer is made in smaller quantities than a Budweiser or a Miller," Bricker said, "kind of like Sam Adams is made, similar to a microbrew."

Since home brews are handcrafted in small batches, their makers tend to experiment a little more, Bricker noted. "They make many more different styles," he said.

Also in attendance at the Butler Brew Fest will be more than 20 microbrewers including: Sam Adams Boston Brewing, North Country Brewing, Hofbräuhaus, Penn Brewery, Sly Fox Brewery and Erie Brewing, among others.

This may be the first such event, but "This is something we hope goes on for a long time," Bricker said. "Here's your chance to taste a wide variety of microbrews."

The fee to enter the contest is $5 per brew entry, and entrants will be admitted free to the festival.

There will be winners in nine different categories, and then an overall winner who will be entered into the national event.

The deadline to enter the contest is Oct. 30. To register, call the Days Inn at 724-287-6761 or 3 B's Tobacco & Brew at 724-287-1935.

Tickets for Brew Fest 2010 are $15 in advance or $18 at the door. Food will be available.