Best New Zealand craft beers & ciders for 2026
Introducing the Top 25 of the New World Beer & Cider Awards for 2026.
Our expert judges have picked the standout brews from around the country, featuring a thirst-quenching range of ales, ciders, non-alcoholic options and more. These 2026 picks celebrate the best of the best beers and ciders from Aotearoa's very own breweries.
Plus, we're placing the voting in your hands this year to help us crown the People's Choice Award winner! Simply head in store or shop online to try our Top 25 and have your say!
Best New Zealand lagers and pilsners of 2026
Looking for something accessible with clean, bright flavours? Lagers are your answer. While lagers can come light, amber, or dark, they are unified by their cool fermentation process. This results in a more malt-forward flavour, often less fruity than their ale counterparts. Among lagers, pilsners are the lightest and brightest, promising refreshingly crisp and clean flavours.
Panhead Port Road Pilsner - Supreme Winner
Type of beer: Pilsner
Brewery: Panhead
Flavours: A snappy modern pilsner with bright citrus-floral hops and a clean, crackery malt base. Crisp, refreshing and full of flavour - a stand-out pilsner that delivers every time.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.panhead.co.nz/
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Steinlager Tokyo Dry
Type of beer: Lager
Brewery: The Pride
Flavours: A modern Kiwi take on a Japanese-style dry lager. Light, crisp and dry, with a wee citrus lift. Premium drinkability for any occasion.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.lionco.com/
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Rhyme and Reason Italian Stallion Euro Lager
Type of beer: Lager
Brewery: Rhyme and Reason
Flavours: A smooth, malty Munich Helles lager with subtle hops and a clean finish. Easy-drinking, refreshing and bloody perfect for everyday moments.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.rhymeandreason.beer/
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8 Wired Pinnacle Pilsner
Type of beer: Pilsner
Brewery: 8 Wired
Flavours: A bright, thirst-quenching NZ pilsner showcasing brand new Bract NZH-106 hops. Tropical, fresh and crackingly drinkable - the pinnacle of Kiwi hop flavour.
For more on this beer visit: https://8wired.co.nz/
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Best New Zealand IPAs and pale ales of 2026
Indian Pale Ales, or IPAs, are well loved for their strong hoppy flavour, combined tropical fruitiness with bold, bitter hops.
Altitude Built for Speed West Coast IPA
Type of beer: IPA
Brewery: Altitude
Flavours: A modern West Coast IPA, done in 'San Diego' style. Bright citrus, tropical punch and sticky pine over a lean malt base. Crisp, dry and crystal clear and delicious.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.altitudebrewing.co.nz/
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Lakeman Rogue Hog West Coast IPA
Type of beer: IPA
Brewery: Lakeman
Flavours: A proper West Coast IPA - orange pith, pine and a wee diesel edge that adds real depth. Vibrant orange and stonefruit on the palate, with toasty malt to balance it all out.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.lakemanbrewing.co.nz/
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Parrotdog Limited Release 39 Double IPA
Type of beer: IPA
Brewery: Parrotdog
Flavours: A bold double IPA that pulls no punches. Big hop character, clean malt backbone and 8% of pure flavour - one for the IPA devotees.
For more on this beer visit: https://parrotdog.co.nz/
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Brave Brewing Bottle Rocket Pale Ale
Type of beer: Pale Ale
Brewery: Brave Brewing
Flavours: A vibrant Kiwi pale ale, packed with punchy hops and bright aromatics. Crushable, sessionable and bloody delicious - pale ale done the New Zealand way.
For more on this beer visit: https://bravebrewing.co.nz/
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Lakeman Taupo Thunder NZ Pale Ale
Type of beer: Pale Ale
Brewery: Lakeman
Flavours: Two stunning NZ hops - Riwaka and Moutere - bringing big passionfruit and gooseberry aromas, with grapefruit and pine on the palate. Bright, punchy and seriously well put together.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.lakemanbrewing.co.nz/
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Best New Zealand hazy ales of 2026
As the name implies, these beers have a hazy or cloudy appearance, hinting at the fullness of flavour they deliver and are beloved for their maximum fruity and citrus character.
Beer Baroness Queer Bear Hazy IPA
Type of beer: Hazy & Juicy
Brewery: Beer Baroness
Flavours: Big peachy, tropical vibes from Peacherine and Nelson Sauvin hops. Juicy, soft and seriously easy-drinking - a haze worth raising a glass to.
For more on this beer visit: https://beerbaroness.co.nz/
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Behemoth Me Time Mosaic Hazy IPA
Type of beer: Hazy & Juicy
Brewery: Behemoth
Flavours: Single-hop Mosaic IPA, front and centre. Expect a fruit bowl of mango, pine and stonefruit in every sip. Pour one, kick back and enjoy some quality 'me time'.
For more on this beer visit: https://shop.behemothbrewing.co.nz/
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Behemoth Haze Juice Hazy IPA
Type of beer: Hazy & Juicy
Brewery: Behmoth
Flavours: The classic Behemoth hazy you know and love - loaded with juicy NZ and US hops, tropical from start to finish. Sessionable, palatable and built for the good times.
For more on this beer visit: https://shop.behemothbrewing.co.nz/
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Best New Zealand stout of 2026
Stouts and porters represent the darkest of ales, with rich caramel, coffee and chocolate notes. These darker styles, including even amber ales, focus on pronounced toasted barley flavours, forgoing fruit and citrus in flavour of fresh baking and sugar.
Epic Coming of Age Brewers Cut Stout
Type of beer: Stout
Brewery: Epic
Flavours: An imperial stout built to age. Chocolate and roasted malt lead the way, with a firm body and clean finish. No sweet shortcuts - just deep, structured stout that gets better with time.
For more on this beer visit: https://epicbeer.com/
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Best New Zealand cider and brewed soda of 2026
Craft ciders and ginger beers are making waves in Aotearoa, with local brewers drawing massive audiences who are after something sweet and warming yet refreshing. With a higher sugar content and no hops, expect juicy fruit flavours and tart sweetness.
Peckham's Cidery and Orchard Boysenberry Cider
Type of beer: Cider
Brewery: Peckham
Flavours: Off-dry, juicy and just the right amount of tart. Real boysenberries get the star treatment here, layered over freshly pressed Kiwi cider apples. A cracking drop for berry lovers.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.peckhams.co.nz/
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Zeffer Bramble Spritz
Type of beer: Brewed Soda
Brewery: Zeffer
Flavours: A twist on the classic bramble cocktail, this berry-packed spritz is bursting with raspberries, blackberries and a wee juniper twist. Crisp, refreshing and made for sunny afternoons on the deck.
For more on this beer visit: https://zeffer.co.nz/
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Best New Zealand fruit, flavoured & spiced beer of 2026
Duncan's Yum Yum Yuzu Dry Lager
Type of beer: Fruit, flavoured and spiced
Brewery: Duncan's
Flavours: A crisp Japanese-style lager with a cheeky splash of yuzu. Light, clean and zingy with bright citrus - perfect for relaxing on a hot sunny day or accompanying a fancy feed.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.duncansbrewing.co.nz/
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Best New Zealand weird and wonderful 2026
In every judging event, there are beers and ciders that intrigue our judges, or spark animated discussions, and sometimes even polarise the judging tables. These unique beers have distinctive or unusual ingredients that stand out from the crowd.
Double Vision Colar Beer Sour
Type of beer: Weird and wonderful
Brewery: Double Vision
Flavours: A sour beer that tastes like adult cola - crisp, refreshing and balanced with a wee touch of creamy sweetness. Sip it in summer or cosy up with it in winter. Either way, blimmin delicious.
For more on this beer visit: https://doublevisionbrewing.com/
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Garage Project Spicy Pickle Beer
Type of beer: Weird and wonderful
Brewery: Garage Project
Flavours: Naturally kettle-soured and loaded with cucumber, dill, pickle spice and red hot chilli. Spicy, refreshing and surprisingly more-ish - a pickle party in a glass.
For more on this beer visit: https://garageproject.co.nz/
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Lakeman ChocNess Monster Stout
Type of beer: Weird and wonderful
Brewery: Lakeman
Flavours: A rich, malt-driven stout with inviting chocolate, honey and caramel aromas, plus a wee almond hint. Beautifully balanced, complex and surprisingly easy-going for its richness.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.lakemanbrewing.co.nz/
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Three Sisters Dragon Fruit Smoothie Sour
Type of beer: Weird and wonderful
Brewery: Three Sisters
Flavours: Smoothie season, in a can. Rich dragonfruit with creamy banana, vanilla and lactose sweetness. Thick, tropical and refreshingly tart - pure holiday vibes
For more on this beer visit: https://threesistersbrewery.store/
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Best New Zealand other ales & beers (including wheat & other grain) of 2026
Waikato Draught
Type of beer: Draught
Brewery: Waikato Draught
Flavours: A true Kiwi classic. Robust malt, gentle hop bitterness and a clean, satisfying finish - the full-flavoured draught that's been keeping us company for generations.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.waikatodraught.co.nz/
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Best New Zealand low carb and low alcohol beers of 2026
Steinlager Ultra Low Carb
Type of beer: Lager
Brewery: Steinlager
Flavours: All the Steinlager crispness, with 99% less carbs. Ultra-refreshing at 4.2%, just 88 calories, and no nasties - clean, premium and built for lighter occasions.
For more on this beer visit: https://www.steinlager.com/
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Garage Project Tiny Non-Alc IPA
Type of beer: Non-Alcoholic
Brewery: Garage Project
Flavours: All the juicy IPA flavour, with less than 0.5% alcohol. Punchy hops, mouthwatering bitterness and a whole lot of character - proof that big things really do come in tiny packages.
For more on this beer visit: https://garageproject.co.nz/
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Garage Project Tiny Non-Alc XPA
Type of beer: Non-Alcoholic
Brewery: Garage Project
Flavours: All the juicy XPA flavour, without the alcohol. Tropical hops, big aromatics and a whole lot of attitude - tiny in alcohol at less than 0.5%, mighty in flavour.
For more on this beer visit: https://garageproject.co.nz/
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Zeffer 0% Crisp Apple Cider
Type of beer: Non-Alcoholic
Brewery: Zeffer
Flavours: Hawke's Bay apples, carefully crafted and spun alcohol-free. Lightly sparkling, off-dry and full of crisp apple flavour - only 39 calories and <0.05% alcohol.
For more on this beer visit: https://zeffer.co.nz/
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Best New Zealand beers and ciders of 2026
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