Overview: The Daily Pour has announced the launch of the 2026 Water Choice Awards, a groundbreaking program that honors exceptional water brands and innovations from around the world. This inaugural competition is open to producers of still, sparkling, and flavored waters, offering industry exposure, expert judging, and marketing support for top performers.
The Full Story
Building on its non-alcoholic focus since 2024, The Daily Pour has established itself as a leading beverage media platform. With the introduction of the Zero Proof Choice Awards in 2025 – the first national non-alcoholic awards program in the U.S. – and New York’s first alcohol-free festival, Drinks With Benefits, which attracted over 70 sponsors and 1,000 attendees, The Daily Pour continues to push boundaries in its coverage of spirits and zero-proof drinks.
The platform has also introduced expert reviews through proprietary scores that aggregate trusted critics’ opinions across the internet. This comprehensive approach sets a new standard for consumers seeking guidance on discovering and enjoying today’s evolving drink landscape.
Production & Profile
The Water Choice Awards will undergo blind tasting evaluations, focusing on taste, quality, and overall experience. Each brand will receive constructive feedback from judges. Top winners will be awarded an official trophy; all medal recipients will receive digital badges and promotional assets for use across packaging, e-commerce, sales materials, and press kits.
The judging panel consists of industry experts with diverse backgrounds in water sommeliers to drinks specialists. Ashley Epperson – Water Sommelier and co-founder of Salacious Drinks – is among the esteemed judges who will evaluate entries based on their unique characteristics and contributions to the non-alcoholic beverage market.
Brand & Industry History
The Daily Pour was founded in 2024 by TV personality Dan Abrams, with a mission to provide expert reviews, proprietary scores, editorial storytelling, and live experiences for modern consumers. Its innovative approach has set it apart as the leading authority on non-alcoholic beverages.
With its unique combination of cross-category coverage and signature rating system that aggregates trusted critics’ opinions across the internet, The Daily Pour continues to push boundaries in helping consumers discover, compare, and enjoy today’s evolving drinks landscape.
What This Means
The launch of the Water Choice Awards signifies a significant shift towards recognizing non-alcoholic beverages as a distinct category. As conversations around drinking continue to evolve, The Daily Pour is at the forefront of elevating water as its own beverage category worthy of thoughtful consideration and attention.
This move also underscores the growing demand for high-quality, innovative products in the market. By providing industry exposure, expert judging, and marketing support for top performers, The Water Choice Awards aims to drive growth and recognition within this emerging segment.
Consumer Takeaway
The 2026 Water Choice Awards offer consumers a unique opportunity to discover exceptional water brands and innovations that cater to their evolving tastes. By recognizing the best of non-alcoholic waters, The Daily Pour empowers consumers with informed choices, enabling them to explore new flavors and experiences.
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