Held annually, the Brewers Guild of New Zealand Beer Awards are held in esteem worldwide due to the reputation of all involved in judging, organising and staging the event. With a world class selection of judges, the diversity of background and quality of judge ensures that the Awards have a huge reputation across the globe as one of the most prestigious accolades a brewer can win.
Celebrating success and quality in beer, we will soon be publishing the 2024 Entry Guide which will outline the full details including the classes, trophies and industry awards.
Champion New Zealand Brewing Company
Champion New Zealand Beer
Champion Large New Zealand Brewery
Champion Medium New Zealand Brewery
Champion Small New Zealand Brewery
Champion Micro New Zealand Brewery
Champion International Brewery
Champion Manufacturer
International Lager
NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner
NZ IPA, NZ Pale & NZ Draught
Amber/Dark Lager & Ale
British & European Ale
International Pale Ale
India Pale Ale
Juicy/Hazy IPA
Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale
Stout & Porter
Wheat & Other Grain
Fruit & Flavoured
Specialty & Experimental
No, Low & Reduced Alcohol
Barrel & Wood-Aged
The New Zealand Beer Awards celebrates and recognises quality not only in beer but in the broader organisations and individuals that make the New Zealand brewing industry so vibrant.
To enter the industry awards below, please check out the Competition page and enter through the NZBA24 entry portal.
Packaging is a critical component in determining the commercial success of a brewing business. Design, aesthetics and utility all play a significant role in getting great beer in the hands of the consumer. The Packaging Award recognises the achievements of New Zealand brewing businesses in this important aspect of our industry.
The Tourism Award aims to raise the standard of beer tourism experiences in New Zealand and recognises an outstanding contribution by brewing businesses and operators to enhancing the beer experience for domestic and international tourists.
The award for Brewing Sustainability honours businesses from throughout the grain to glass supply chain in New Zealand that are implementing projects, policies and initiatives that have a positive impact on the environment.
Kiwis are born innovators, and we believe innovation is worth celebrating. The Morton Coutts Award for Innovation is a celebration of the creative Kiwi spark. The award is designed to recognise individuals with smart ideas and out-of-the-box innovations.
Enter the Morton Coutts Award for Innovation – HERE
Dates
20 May Entries Open
28 June Entries Close
3 August Winner announced at the Awards Gala Dinner
| Expressions of Interest for Judges and Stewards Open | 8 March 2024 |
| Expressions of Interest for Judges and Stewards Close | 4 April 2024 |
| Online Entries Open | 8 May 2024 |
| Online Entries Close | 16 June 2024 |
| Send Entries to GVI Logistics, Christchurch | 20 – 26 June 2024 |
| Judging – Riccarton Park, Christchurch | 3 – 5 July 2024 |
| Awards Presentation Evening, Auckland | 3 August 2024 |
Please note: Guild members receive a discounted rate to enter the NZBA (your Guild membership needs to be paid in full, or monthly payments need to be set up to access the discounted rate).
Entries are NOW CLOSED.
Now in its 18th year, the New Zealand Beer Awards (NZBA) recognises excellence in the production of beer, and in the broader brewing industry. The NZBA are the most prestigious awards in New Zealand’s brewing industry.
The NZBA are open to any brewery or beer brewing business in New Zealand. You do not have to be a Brewers Guild Member to enter the NZBA. International entries are also accepted in the International categories. Please see the Entry Guide for full details.
NZBA24 Entries are NOW CLOSED
Morton Coutts Award for Innovation Entries Close 28th June, Enter – HERE
If you’re interested in entering the NZBA, please take the time to read carefully over the Entry Guide. You may find it helpful to have the 2023 (US) Brewers Association Style Guidelines on hand also.
New Entry guide and Style Guidelines have now been updated for 2024.
You will again be using the online portal entry to submit your entries. For some help and tips on using the portal, please read over the below Entry Portal Help document.
NZBA24 Entry Portal Help document
NZBA24 Online Entry Portal
If you need support using the entry portal, please email competition@brewersguild.org.nz
| Online Entries Open | 8 May 2024 |
| Online Entries Close | 16 June 2024 |
| Send Entries to GVI Logistics, Christchurch | 20 – 26 June 2024 |
| Judging – Riccarton Park, Christchurch | 3 – 5 July 2024 |
| Awards Presentation Evening, Auckland | 3 August 2024 |
Please note: Guild members receive a discounted rate to enter the NZBA (your Guild membership needs to be paid in full, or monthly payments need to be set up to access the discounted rate).
Our ‘Steward to Judge’ program began in 2019 and aims to support members of industry in development toward becoming a Judge as well as expanding the pool of qualified beer judges in New Zealand. It also provides the opportunity to participate and learn about beer competitions.
Typically, stewards will undertake a minimum of two years as a Steward prior to moving on to the role of Trainee Judge. Trainee Judges will typically undertake a minimum of two years as a Trainee prior to moving on to the role of Judge. Entry is required at the Steward stage first.
Progression to each stage will be based on (but not limited to) merit and feedback – progression is not guaranteed nor automatic (we always receive more applications than places available. Not every person will be selected every year). You may be asked to provide a written reference from a Brewers Guild senior judge to support your application for progression to the next stage. Other considerations will include whether the individual is directly involved in brewing and whether they have gained experience in stewarding or judging in other jurisdictions, this may change the length of time a participant spends at each stage before they progress.
Brewers Guild Stewards are essential to the integrity of the Awards and are responsible for ensuring the judging process is professional and seamless, with a focus on pouring and delivering exhibits to the judging table.
Through the role of Steward, participants gain an invaluable insight to the process for managing and judging a large and complex Beer Awards. Stewards are a crucial part of our competition which we are very grateful for.
Please note, you do not have to have an interest in Judging or be a participant in the Steward to Judge Program to Steward at the NZBA.
We always receive more applications than places available. Not every person will be selected every year (participation in the competition previously does not guarantee your selection for the upcoming or future years competitions).
While being selected as a participant is a privilege – (and we ask that you treat it as such) we are very grateful for everyone involved who gives up their time to volunteer for the competition. We could not run the competition without you! Both Stewarding and Judging are key components to running a successful competition.
The Selection Process for our Judges & Stewards is able to be viewed HERE
As an industry we are very fortunate to have such great partners who support, sponsor and cheer our brewers, breweries and beers on from the sidelines! Without the ongoing support of our generous sponsors the New Zealand Beer Awards would not be the world-class beer competition it has become!
Not only do our sponsors support the awards, but they often give their time, knowledge and expertise to help support the industry.
So, from us to you – Cheers, and thank you for the ongoing support!
We have sponsorship opportunities available for those businesses and corporate partners who want to be a part of thie year’s New Zealand beer Awards. There are sponsorship opportunities for Beer Trophies and Industry Awards. As always, first right of refusal goes to the previous years sponsors and then then opportunities will be released.
The Sponsorship Prospectus for 2024 is now available, if you would like a copy please email melanie@brewersguild.org.nz
You can view the Catalogue of Results from previous years of the New Zealand Beer Awards by clicking on the following annual links:
2023,
2022,
2021,
2019,
2018,
2017,
2016,
2015,
2014,
2013,
2012,
2011,
2010,
2009,
2008,
2007
You’ll find many of these breweries and beers in beautiful places all across New Zealand. To find out more about the breweries and where you can visit them check out the NZ Ale Trail.
The VOICE of New Zealand's brewing industry.
