New World Beer & Cider Awards 2026

Our Top 25 winners are here! Plus - find out how to be in to win 1 of 50 $100 New World gift cards.

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Try, sip and vote - raise your glass for our Top 25 craft beers, ciders and brewed soda who swept the judges off their feet. 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!

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Panhead Port Road Pilsner Can.jpg

Panhead Port Road Pilsner, our Supreme Winner

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.

Best New Zealand beers and ciders of 2026

Which Top 25 winner stands out to you?

The winners are here so you can try, sip and vote for your favourite! Once you'd had your say, you'll be in to win 1 of 50 $100 New World gift card. You must be 18+ to vote.

Best Aotearoa craft beers and 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 Aotearoa, featuring a thirst-quenching range of lagers, ales, ciders, non-alcoholic beers and more.

Best Aotearoa lagers and pilsners for 2026

We’re celebrating some of Aotearoa’s best and brightest lagers and pilsners with 2026’s New World Beer & Cider Awards. To help you find your new favourite in this sparklingly fresh category, we’ve pulled out our top lagers and pilsners from Aotearoa.

Best Aotearoa IPAs and pale ales for 2025

IPAs and pale ales are beloved for their hoppy character, often complemented with herbal, fruity or citrus flavours. Dive in to discover the best of the best Aotearoa-made IPAs and pale ales for 2025 plus our favourite food pairings for each beer. 

Best Aotearoa hazy ales for 2025

Hazy ales are enjoying their own spotlight in the New World Beer & Cider Awards. Discover the best of the best Aotearoa-made hazy ales for 2025 plus our favourite food pairings for each beer.

Best Aotearoa ciders and brewed sodas of 2025

Nothing beats a sweet and refreshing cider in Spring's longer nights. Discover the best of the best Aotearoa-made ciders and brewed sodas of 2025.

Best Aotearoa stout for 2025

Stouts and porters, often called dark beers, are packed with roasted flavours and richness that make them an indulgent treat. Our winner of the best Kiwi stout and porter of 2025 has a chocolate, coconut and vanilla kick you're going to want to try again and again. 

Best Aotearoa fruity, weird and wonderful beers of 2026

This new category celebrates the unique brews whipped up by our innovative breweries. From beers with a kick to a surprisingly fruity and thick beer, there's sure to be a beer you'd want to try or bring along to your next gathering.

Best Aotearoa non-alcoholic and low-carb beers for 2025

Over the past year or two, the quality of Aotearoa non-alcoholic beer has markedly improved. Discover the best of the best Aotearoa-made non-alcoholic and low-carb beers for 2025 plus our favourite food pairings for each bevvy.

Explore the Beer & Cider Awards hub

Learn all about the Beer and Cider Awards, our Top 25 winners and how you can be in to win this year!

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Expert judges tried 600+ brews to find the Top 25

Experienced and independent beer and cider judges blind-tasted and evaluated more than 600 brews at the 2026 judging event.

Every beer is blind tasted by expert and independent judges

To keep things truly fair: no labels, no brands – just brews in a glass. 

600+ brews evaluated

Judged on technical excellence, balance & drinkability. Multiple days of sniffing, sipping and debating.

Top brews are re-tasted by a senior panel

Final 25 ranked and one Supreme Winner chosen in a thrilling taste-off. A deliciously diverse Top 25!

Chair of Judges finalises the tasting notes

Michael Donaldson re-tasted the Top 25. Notes reflect his feedback and judges' comments.

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Chair of Judges: Tim Low

Table Captains

Sam Williamson

Shane Morley

David Nicholls

Keith Riley

Matt Warner

Emma Bell

Damian Treacher

John Powell

Katey McNulty

Lauren Yap

Judges

Jody Scott

Oli Drake

Zane Marshall

Lauren Yap

Katey McNulty

Caroline Muller-Ward

Si Jin Lee

Jamie Scrimgeour

Jared Proudfoot

Jody Thomas

Amy Paisley

Bernard Wyatt

Char Feehan

Sebastian Burke

Carmen Gray

Jack Anderson

David Nicholls

Shane Morley

Junior Judges

Marion Prevot

Dan Jaffe

Kit Clinton-Baker

Dani Wild

Claire Madrid

Pawel Lewandowski

Bernard Neate

Aynslee Rodger

New World Trainee Judges

Callum MacGregor

Luca Heard

Robert Hogg

Ashley Beckett

Calum Jamieson

Julian Gibbs

Clark Xu

Joseph Zino

More to sip from the New World Beer & Cider Awards