Global excellence recognised at 2026 Oscars of Brewing and Cider

The International Brewing & Cider Awards — widely regarded as the “Oscars” of the industry — has announced its 2026 medal winners, showcasing a remarkable standard of technical excellence and commercial viability across the global beer and cider sectors.

Following three days of intensive judging at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, the awards revealed 115 medal winners from across the world. The results reflect a burgeoning era of innovation, where traditional brewing methods are being successfully merged with modern consumer trends.

Why the 2026 winners succeeded 

According to the panel of expert judges — all of whom are commercially practicing brewers and cidermakers — the success of this year’s winners can be attributed to three core pillars:

1. Mastery of technical execution

A recurring theme among the Gold medallists was the “uncompromised approach to quality and consistency.” Unlike many consumer-led awards, these results are determined by peers who evaluate the technical integrity of the product. Winners in the Cask Conditioned and Smallpack Lager categories, in particular, were praised for their precise fermentation control and balance.

2. Innovation with commercial worth

The 2026 competition saw a record number of entries in the speciality beer and low/no alcohol categories. Success here was defined by “commercial worth” — the ability to innovate (such as with gluten-free and fruit-infused recipes) while maintaining the drinkability required to succeed on the retail shelf.

“Our competition judges share the responsibility of choosing not just the best beers and ciders but those with true commercial worth,” said Ruth Evans MBE, director of the International Brewing and Cider Awards.

3. Navigating complexity

The “Oscars” are notoriously difficult to win due to a structured system of only nine beer categories and 36 classes. Producers who took home Gold had to navigate a high level of debate among judges. As Lara Lopes, head brewer at Round Corner Brewing, noted, the awards serve as a “powerful validation of quality and a trusted assurance for trade partners.”

Key highlights from the winners circle

• The rise of Japanese innovation: Spring Valley Brewery (Tokyo) continued its dominance in the speciality beer category, securing multiple medals for its fruit-integrated lagers.
• Cask conditioned excellence: UK heritage brewers like Joseph Holt and Acorn Brewery secured top honours, proving that traditional British styles remain a gold standard for technical balance.
• Cider’s modern evolution: in the International Cider Awards, the diversity of styles was evident, with Bauman’s Cider (USA) and Annapolis Cider Company (Canada) taking home multiple medals for their use of tannic and naturally sparkling profiles.

The road to The Guildhall

The medal-winning producers have been invited to an exclusive awards ceremony at The Guildhall in London on May 20, 2026, where the prestigious Championship Trophies will be unveiled.

For the trade, these results offer a definitive roadmap of the brands and styles currently setting the global benchmark for quality. As retailers and distributors look to refresh their portfolios for the summer season, the 2026 International Brewing & Cider Award winners represent the pinnacle of “peer-reviewed” excellence.

A full list of the 2026 medal winners can be found at www.brewingawards.org.