Entries open for NZ Beer Awards 2025

Entries have opened for The New Zealand Beer Awards 2025, New Zealand’s premier beer competition.

Now in its 19th year and managed by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, the event celebrates excellence in brewing and industry-wide achievements.

The competition is open to commercial brewers of all production sizes across New Zealand and Australia. Last year, the awards attracted over 700 entries from more than 70 exhibiting breweries, and organisers anticipate another strong turnout this year.

The New Zealand Beer Awards offer brewers the opportunity to compete across a variety of categories, including champion brewery trophies, industry awards, and beer style trophies, culminating in the Champion New Zealand Brewing Company and Champion New Zealand Beer. This year will also see the introduction of a new Champion Australian Brewery trophy.

Entries close on Friday 27 June and judging will take place at Riccarton Park in Christchurch in July, supported by a dedicated team of nearly 60 volunteers.

Guild Executive Director Melanie Kees says, "The New Zealand Beer Awards are a well-oiled machine, thanks to judges, trainee judges, stewards, and staff who work together to pour, serve, taste, and score the hundreds of entries. This event wouldn’t be possible without their passion and, of course, the generous sponsors who help bring it to life each year."

Winners will be announced at The New Zealand Beer Awards Gala Dinner in Christchurch on 2 August.

W: Find entry details at brewersguild.org.nz