Entries are now open for the 2024 New World Beer & Cider Awards.
Up for grabs is the chance to earn a winning spot in the awards’ Top 30 beers and ciders list, and the opportunity to be named the Supreme Winner.
The Top 30 winning brews will also be rewarded with shelf space in 140+ New World stores nationwide, as well as comprehensive promotional support in-store and out.
The next 20 Highly Commended entries will be recognised in an overall Top 50 list, published on the New World website.
Rachel Carter, who leads the categories for Foodstuffs North Island, says the competition’s unique consumer focus has made it a popular fixture in the brewing calendar as well as a hotly anticipated announcement among beer and cider fans each year.
“Combining an independent and professional judging event with a retail opportunity makes the New World Beer & Cider Awards a win-win for brew brands and their fans,” she says.
Now in its 10th year, the awards attract upwards of 700 entries from more than 100 local beverage-makers and importers.
“For beer and cider makers, the benefits of a Top 30 win at the New World Beer & Cider Awards provide an opportunity to boost brand awareness and grow sales across the country.
“And for our beer and cider-shopping customers, the Top 30 list has become a trusted, ‘go-to’ guide – whether they’re new to it all and just want the confidence to try something different or keen fans eager to explore the best of the best,” says Carter.
Last year, small regional breweries and first-time winners like Shining Peak, Ruapehu Brewing and Martinborough Brewery shared the shelves with craft favourites like 8 Wired, McLeod’s, Parrotdog, Panhead and Zeffer, and well-known names like Mac’s, Monteith’s and Steinlager.
Lakeman took the Supreme win for its Primate Pilsner – a beer the small family business had been perfecting over the past 10 years from a converted shed on a Taupo dairy farm.
The awards are also an opportunity for new styles and offerings in beer and cider to be promoted.
“In addition to the usual classes for everything from Ale to Stout, we’ve recently introduced dedicated classes for no- and low-alcohol beers (under 1.15% ABV) and unusual brews like sour beers, barrel-aged beers and ciders with spices, botanicals or honey,” says Carter.
Key details:
- Submissions close on Friday, 16 February 2024, and judging samples are due Friday, 1 March with some flexibility to Thursday, 7 March by arrangement.
- The key entry requirements are the ability to provide supermarket compliant product and supply minimum stock amounts to ensure New World can meet customer demand for the winning brews.
- Entrants don’t need to be an existing New World or Foodstuffs supplier and new entrants are actively encouraged.
- The New World Beer & Cider Awards judging will be held in mid-March 2024 in Auckland. A 29-strong panel of beer and cider professionals will make up the independent panel of judges led by Chair of Judges Michael Donaldson and Deputy Chair Kelly Ryan.
- Results will be released later in 2024.
How to catch up with The Shout NZ…
Online, updated daily with its own unique content and breaking news.
Our weekly newsletter – free to your inbox! Subscribe here.
We are also on Facebook and Instagram!
