New Zealand’s brewing industry raised a glass to the best of both worlds, with a small Waikato brewery and one of the country’s best-known Dunedin breweries taking out the top honours at the New Zealand Beer Awards 2026.
This year’s results – announced at a Gala Diner in Dunedin last night (Saturday 25 July) – show that scale is no barrier to excellence. Karamu Barrelworks, a small, boutique brewery in an old Waikato farmhouse, was named Overall Champion NZ Brewing Company. While, The Emerson Brewing Company took home Champion New Zealand Beer for Emerson’s Pride of the Plains.
The wins underline what the New Zealand Beer Awards – run by the Brewers Guild of NZ – are all about. This is the Awards 20th year celebrating Aotearoa’s best beers, breweries and brewers – whether they come from small operations or larger, well-established breweries. The Awards showcase the breadth of New Zealand beer — from creative, specialist styles through to beautifully made, sessionable beers that people know and love. Trophy winners were chosen from 660 beers made by 70 brewers assessed in Christchurch over three days in late June.
Overall Champion NZ Brewing Company, Karamu Barrelworks, is a boutique operation on a Waikato lifestyle block, where Daryl Bryant brews spontaneously fermented beers inspired by classic Belgian brewing methods. This year’s top accolade follows Karamu Barrelworks being awarded 2025 Champion New Zealand Micro Brewery.
Emerson’s enjoyed a hometown triumph in Dunedin, collecting four trophies – more than any other brewery. Emerson’s Pride of the Plains was named Champion New Zealand Beer and also won the NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner Trophy, while Emerson’s was named Champion NZ Large Brewery. Emerson’s also collected the Wheat & Other Grain Trophy for Emerson’s Ingrid Weizenbock – a beer named in tribute to Richard Emerson’s mother, Ingrid, affectionately known as the matron saint of Emerson’s.
As if proving the health of the brewing industry across the motu, the Champion Awards were bestowed upon brewers from Auckland to Otago. Champion NZ Medium Brewery, Mount Brewing Co of Mount Maunganui crafts bold, beers capturing the spirit of the maunga. Taranaki’s Shining Peak Brewing is Champion NZ Small Brewery, another proudly local brewer aiming to celebrate Taranaki’s people, history and culture in every pour. Neck Of The Woods Beer Co, 2026 Champion NZ Micro Brewery hails from Tauriko in Bay of Plenty – a welcoming venue with great craft beer. Champion NZ Manufacturer Steam Brewing Company from Auckland works with brewers to create exceptional beers.
Brews from across the Tasman are assessed in the Awards too; with Melbourne’s Two Bays Brewing Co receiving Champion Australian Brewery. Two Bays Brewing Co’s mission is to ensure people avoiding gluten can enjoy world-class craft beer, without compromising flavour.
New Zealand Beer Awards Head Judge, Tina Panoutsos congratulated brewers for the quality of their beers. “It’s clear that brewing quality remains a strong focus across the industry, with around 80% of
entries receiving a medal. Recognition with medals is a positive indication that beers were well made, showed good technical execution, and were closely aligned to style expectations.”
She made special mention of NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale and NZ Draught and Specialty and Experimental classes as standout categories. “These classes received a high proportion of gold medals, which speaks to the strength and the creativity and technical capability developing in the NZ industry. NZ hop-driven styles continue to show real confidence and definition, while the Specialty and Experimental beers demonstrated how brewers are pushing flavour, ingredients and process in thoughtful and well-executed ways.”
Emerson’s success and the Awards ceremony in Dunedin marked a milestone year for the industry. In 2026, the Brewers Guild of New Zealand and the New Zealand Beer Awards mark their 20th anniversary. In a full-circle coincidence, the Guild was started in Dunedin in 2006, when young brewer, Richard Emerson filed the papers to get things rolling.
The 20-year anniversary gives time to take stock, and Brewers Guild of New Zealand Chair,Brian Watson is optimistic. “Over the last 20 years, the world has changed tremendously, and our industry has seen incredible growth. New Zealand brewers consistently prove themselves to be highly resilient, passionate people driven by tenacity and integrity. While we’re facing a challenging economic climate – like many other sectors – that inherent resilience puts us in a remarkably strong position moving forward.”
“What’s more, the Guild is in an excellent position with money in the bank, allowing us to deliver a wide range of benefits to our members and champion our industry on the national stage. It’s this solid foundation that will see our brewers thrive through the next two decades,” Watson said.
This year the Guild hosted all of its major activities in Dunedin, with the BREWNZ 26 conference on Friday followed by a special breakfast, activities and the New Zealand Beer Awards Dinner at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday 25 July. The celebrations also coincide with another significant brewing anniversary for the city — the 150th anniversary of Speight’s.
ENDS.
The list of Champion, Trophy, and Industry Award winners is below. Photos of 3026 NZ Beer Awards judging are available for use from here.
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2026 CHAMPION AWARD WINNERS
Karamu Barrelworks, Overall Champion NZ Brewing Company
The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, Champion NZ Large Brewery
Mount Brewing Co, Champion NZ Medium Brewery
Shining Peak Brewing, Champion NZ Small Brewery
Neck Of The Woods Beer Co, Champion NZ Micro Brewery
Two Bays Brewing Co, Champion Australian Brewery
Steam Brewing Company, Champion NZ Manufacturer
The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, Champion New Zealand Beer, Emersons Pride of the Plains
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2026 TROPHY WINNERS
Brave Brewing Co, International Lager — Happy Go Lager
The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner — Emersons Pride of the Plains
Mount Brewing Co, NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale & NZ Draught — The Trifecta
Parrotdog, Amber/Dark Lager & Ale — Limited Release 44 – Red IPA
North End Brewery, British & European Ale — Super Alpha – Pacific Pale Ale
Good George Brewing, International Pale Ale — Frankton Bright IPA
Shining Peak Brewing, India Pale Ale — Bravo!
Brave Brewing Co, Juicy/Hazy IPA — Float On
Good George Brewing, Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale — Fog City
Mount Brewing Co, Stout & Porter — Harley’s Irish Stout
The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, Wheat & Other Grain — Emersons Ingrid Weizenbock
Sprig + Fern Brewing Co, Fruit & Flavoured — Norty Porter
Alchemy Street Brewing, Specialty & Experimental — HOT BOX
Bach Brewing Co, No, Low & Reduced Alcohol — ALL DAY ORIGINAL Non-alcoholic IPA
Behemoth Brewing Company Limited, Wood & Barrel Aged — Victory at Churly’s
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2026 INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS
Garage Project, Hāpi Research Programme, Future Award
Sawmill Brewery, Community Award
b.effect Brewing Co, Packaging Award
Tracy Banner, People Award
For further comment please contact;
Brewers Guild of New Zealand Executive Director, Melanie Kees melanie@brewersguild.org.nz 027 546 0888
