Overview: The New Zealand Beer Awards 2026 concluded in Dunedin, marking the 20th running of the competition under the stewardship of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand. Head Judge Tina Panoutsos recognized brewers across all sizes for maintaining high standards, with Karamu Barrelworks named Overall Champion NZ Brewing Company.
The Full Story
The ceremony took place at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night, July 25. TWØBAYS Brewing Co secured the Champion Australian Brewery title, while Emerson’s Pride of the Plains won Champion New Zealand Beer. Karamu Barrelworks is a boutique operation on a Waikato lifestyle block, where Daryl Bryant brews spontaneously fermented beers inspired by classic Belgian brewing methods.
The wins underline what the New Zealand Beer Awards are all about: celebrating Aotearoa’s best beers and breweries regardless of scale. The Brewers Guild of NZ run the event to 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.
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.
Production & Profile
Karamu Barrelworks operates as a small, boutique brewery in an old Waikato farmhouse. The operation focuses on 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.
Elsewhere, TWØBAYS Brewing Co is a gluten-free specialist brewery based on the Mornington Peninsula. Their mission is to ensure people avoiding gluten can enjoy world-class craft beer without compromising flavour. They picked up gold medals for No Doubt Stout, IPA and Grouse Amber Ale, plus a bronze for GFB Draught at the event.
Brand & Industry History
This year represented the 20th running of the New Zealand Beer Awards. 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 celebrations also coincide with another significant brewing anniversary for the city — the 150th anniversary of Speight’s. The Brewers Guild of New Zealand Chair, Brian Watson, noted that over the last 20 years, the world has changed tremendously, and the industry has seen incredible growth.
What This Means
The results show that scale is no barrier to excellence. Head Judge Tina Panoutsos stated it is 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.
Brewers Guild of New Zealand Chair, Brian Watson, noted that while facing a challenging economic climate like many other sectors, the inherent resilience puts brewers in a remarkably strong position moving forward. The Guild is in an excellent position with money in the bank, allowing them to deliver a wide range of benefits to members and champion the industry on the national stage.
Consumer Takeaway
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. The event highlights the resilience and passion of brewers driven by tenacity and integrity.
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