New Zealand\u2019s brewing industry raised a glass to the best of both worlds, with a small Waikato brewery and one of the country\u2019s best-known Dunedin breweries taking out the top honours at the New Zealand Beer Awards 2026.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s results \u2013 announced at a Gala Dinner in Dunedin on 25 July \u2013 show that scale is no barrier to excellence. <\/p>\n
Karamu Barrelworks \u2013 a small, boutique brewery in an old Waikato farmhouse \u2013 was named Overall Champion NZ Brewing Company, while The Emerson Brewing Company took home Champion New Zealand Beer for Emerson\u2019s Pride of the Plains.<\/p>\n
This is the Awards\u2019 20th year celebrating Aotearoa\u2019s best beers, breweries and brewers \u2013 whether they come from small operations or larger, well-established breweries. <\/p>\n
The Awards showcase the breadth of New Zealand beer \u2014 from creative, specialist styles through to beautifully made, sessionable beers that people know and love. <\/p>\n
Trophy winners were chosen from 660 beers made by 70 brewers assessed in Christchurch over three days in late June.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
This year\u2019s top accolade follows Karamu Barrelworks being awarded 2025 Champion New Zealand Micro Brewery.<\/p>\n
Emerson\u2019s enjoyed a hometown triumph in Dunedin, collecting four trophies \u2013 more than any other brewery. Emerson\u2019s Pride of the Plains was named Champion New Zealand Beer and also won the NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner Trophy, while Emerson\u2019s was named Champion NZ Large Brewery. <\/p>\n
Emerson\u2019s also collected the Wheat & Other Grain Trophy for Emerson\u2019s Ingrid Weizenbock \u2013 a beer named in tribute to Richard Emerson\u2019s mother, Ingrid, affectionately known as the matron saint of Emerson\u2019s.<\/p>\n
As if proving the health of the brewing industry across the motu, the Champion Awards were bestowed upon brewers from Auckland to Otago. <\/p>\n
Champion NZ Medium Brewery, Mount Brewing Co of Mount Maunganui crafts bold, beers capturing the spirit of the maunga. <\/p>\n
Taranaki\u2019s Shining Peak Brewing is Champion NZ Small Brewery, another proudly local brewer aiming to celebrate Taranaki\u2019s people, history and culture in every pour. <\/p>\n
Neck Of The Woods Beer Co, 2026 Champion NZ Micro Brewery hails from Tauriko in Bay of Plenty \u2013 a welcoming venue with great craft beer. Champion NZ Manufacturer Steam Brewing Company from Auckland works with brewers to create exceptional beers.<\/p>\n
Brews from across the Tasman are assessed in the Awards too; with Melbourne\u2019s Two Bays Brewing Co receiving Champion Australian Brewery. Two Bays Brewing Co\u2019s mission is to ensure people avoiding gluten can enjoy world-class craft beer, without compromising flavour.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Beer Awards Head Judge, Tina Panoutsos congratulated brewers for the quality of their beers. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clear that brewing quality remains a strong focus across the industry, with around 80% of entries receiving a medal,\u201d she says. \u201cRecognition with medals is a positive indication that beers were well made, showed good technical execution, and were closely aligned to style expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Panoutsos made special mention of NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale and NZ Draught and Specialty and Experimental classes as standout categories. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese classes received a high proportion of gold medals, which speaks to the strength and the creativity and technical capability developing in the NZ industry. <\/p>\n
\u201cNZ 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emerson\u2019s success and the Awards ceremony in Dunedin marked a milestone year for the industry. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The 20-year anniversary gives time to take stock, and Brewers Guild of New Zealand Chair, Brian Watson is optimistic. <\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last 20 years, the world has changed tremendously, and our industry has seen incredible growth,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand brewers consistently prove themselves to be highly resilient, passionate people driven by tenacity and integrity. While we\u2019re facing a challenging economic climate \u2013 like many other sectors \u2013 that inherent resilience puts us in a remarkably strong position moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s 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\u2019s this solid foundation that will see our brewers thrive through the next two decades.\u201d<\/p>\n
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2026 CHAMPION AWARD WINNERS<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2026 TROPHY WINNERS<\/p>\n
Brave Brewing Co, International Lager \u2014 Happy Go Lager
The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner \u2014 Emersons Pride of the Plains
Mount Brewing Co, NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale & NZ Draught \u2014 The Trifecta
Parrotdog, Amber\/Dark Lager & Ale \u2014 Limited Release 44 \u2013 Red IPA
North End Brewery, British & European Ale \u2014 Super Alpha \u2013 Pacific Pale Ale
Good George Brewing, International Pale Ale \u2014 Frankton Bright IPA
Shining Peak Brewing, India Pale Ale \u2014 Bravo!
Brave Brewing Co, Juicy\/Hazy IPA \u2014 Float On
Good George Brewing, Juicy\/Hazy Pale Ale \u2014 Fog City
Mount Brewing Co, Stout & Porter \u2014 Harley\u2019s Irish Stout
The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, Wheat & Other Grain \u2014 Emersons Ingrid Weizenbock
Sprig + Fern Brewing Co, Fruit & Flavoured \u2014 Norty Porter
Alchemy Street Brewing, Specialty & Experimental \u2014 HOT BOX
Bach Brewing Co, No, Low & Reduced Alcohol \u2014 ALL DAY ORIGINAL Non-alcoholic IPA
Behemoth Brewing Company Limited, Wood & Barrel Aged \u2014 Victory at Churly\u2019s<\/p>\n
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2026 INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS<\/p>\n
Garage Project, H\u0101pi Research Programme, Future Award
Sawmill Brewery, Community Award
b.effect Brewing Co, Packaging Award
Tracy Banner, People Award<\/p>\n
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