New Zealand Beer Awards celebrate 20th anniversary

The milestone was met with strong engagement from brewers across New Zealand and beyond, with the 2026 competition attracting 660 entries across 15 beer classes from 74 entrants. The consistency, technical excellence and creativity of entrants was recognised, with 85 per cent of entries achieving a medal – a 2.5 per cent increase on 2025.

Of those medals, 95 were gold, 212 silver, and 234 bronze. Melanie Kees, Executive Director for the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, commented: “While there is no denying that many businesses continue to face challenging market conditions, there are also countless positive stories emerging from our brewing community. These awards remind us that, even in difficult times, there remains much to celebrate.

“It really is a privilege to run these awards on behalf of the Brewers Guild and the wider brewing industry, providing an opportunity to recognise excellence, celebrate achievement, and reflect on the strength of the community that sits behind every beer poured. Congratulations to all medal winners and award recipients. Here’s to 20 years of advocacy, excellence, and championing our industry, and to an exciting future ahead,” she continued.

Standout achievements at this year’s awards were the eight Champion Award winners. Small, farm-based Waikato brewery Karamu Barrelworks took out top honours with the Overall Champion New Zealand Brewing Company award, while Emerson Brewing Company accepted both Champion New Zealand Large Brewery and Champion New Zealand Beer for Emersons Pride of the Plains.

Champion New Zealand Medium Brewery was awarded to Mount Brewing Co, while Shining Peak Brewing and Neck of the Woods Beer Co were named Champion New Zealand Small Brewery and Champion New Zealand Micro Brewery respectively. Based in Auckland, Steam Brewing Company accepted the title of Champion New Zealand Manufacturer. With the competition continuing to attract a growing number of entries from Australian breweries, dedicated gluten-free brewery TWØBAYS Brewing Co. was named Champion Australian Brewery – representing the first Champion Brewery trophy in the brewery’s history.

TWØBAYS Founder Richard Jeffares said: “To take out this award against some of the best-known names in Australian brewing is a real statement of where our quality stands. Three golds in three completely different styles – it’s incredible work from Kristian and his brewing team.”

Several Industry Awards were also handed out. Recipients include Hāpi Research Programme for the Future Award; Sawmill Brewery for the Community Award; b.effect Brewing Co for the Packaging Award; and Tracy Banner for the People Award.

Best in Class Trophy winners are as follows:

• International Lager: Happy Go Lager, Brave Brewing Co
• NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale & NZ Draught: The Trifecta, Mount Brewing Co.
• NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner: Emersons Pride of the Plains, The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd
• Amber, Dark Lager & Ale: Limited Release 44 – Red IPA, Parrotdog
• British & European Ale: Super Alpha – Pacific Pale Ale, North End Brewery
• International Pale Ale: Frankton Bright IPA, Good George Brewing
• India Pale Ale: Bravo!, Shining Peak Brewing
• Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale: Fog City, Good George Brewing
• Juicy/Hazy IPA: Float On, Brave Brewing Co
• Stout & Porter: Harley’s Irish Stout, Mount Brewing Co.
• Wheat & Other Grain: Emersons Ingrid Weizenbock, The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd
• Fruit & Flavoured: Norty Porter, Sprig + Fern Brewing Co.
• Specialty & Experimental: HOT BOX, Alchemy Street Brewing
• No, Low & Reduced Alcohol: ALL DAY ORIGINAL Non-alcoholic IPA, Bach Brewing Co.
• Wood & Barrel-Aged: Victory at Churly’s, Behemoth Brewing Company Ltd