The Brewers Affiliation (BA), the not-for-profit commerce affiliation representing small and impartial American craft brewers, has formally opened registration for the 2026 World Beer Cup®.
Broadly thought to be the “Olympics of Beer,” the World Beer Cup is essentially the most prestigious skilled beer and cider competitors on this planet, honoring distinctive brews and the groups behind them by a world celebration of brewing artistry and technical excellence.
Registration for the 2026 competitors is open from November 11 by December 12, 2025, at worldbeercup.org. The competitors will happen alongside the 2026 Craft Brewers Convention® & BrewExpo America®, the place winners might be revealed throughout a dwell awards ceremony.
“The World Beer Cup represents the head of brewing achievement,” stated Chris Williams, competitors director for the World Beer Cup.
“Every year, we’re impressed by the creativity, high quality, and innovation from brewers world wide. We sit up for welcoming breweries of all sizes and backgrounds to compete in 2026.”

Organized by the Brewers Affiliation, the World Beer Cup was created in 1996 to encourage the worldwide alternate of brewing information and to have a good time the most effective in beer from world wide. Right this moment, the competitors spans greater than 100 beer fashion classes judged by an elite panel of worldwide consultants.
In 2025, the World Beer Cup expanded to incorporate six cider classes and drew greater than 8,300 entries from 1,761 breweries throughout 49 nations. The turnout underscores its international attain, affect, and standing because the premier stage for top-tier brewing expertise.
The 2026 competitors will embody the next beer fashion additions
- Czech-Model Amber Lager and Czech-Model Darkish Lager
- Mexican-Model Mild Lager, Mexican-Model Pale Lager, Mexican-Model Amber Lager and Mexican-Model Darkish Lager
- Rice Lager
- Inexperienced Tea Beer and Different Tea Beer
- West Coast-Model Pilsner
“The World Beer Cup is the place the world’s greatest beers earn recognition on a world stage,” stated Ann Obenchain, vp of selling and communications for the Brewers Affiliation.
“We’re proud to host a contest that celebrates brewing artistry and unites the worldwide beer neighborhood.”
Key Dates
- Registration Interval: November 11 – December 12, 2025
- Awards Ceremony: Held in the course of the 2026 Craft Brewers Convention® & BrewExpo America® on April 22, 2026
- Registration & Particulars: worldbeercup.org
The World Beer Cup is made doable because of the beneficiant help of its sponsors: Fermentis, First Key, HAAS, Jerney Ltd. Beverage Options, Rahr Malting Co., Sahm, and Siemens. Extra details about the occasion, registration, deadlines, and former 12 months’s winners may be discovered on WorldBeerCup.org.


