Registration Now Open for the 2026 World Beer Cup®

Boulder, Colo. • November 11, 2025—The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers—today announced that registration for the 2026 World Beer Cup® is officially open.

Often referred to as the “Olympics of Beer,” the World Beer Cup is the most prestigious professional beer and cider competition in the world, celebrating the art and science of brewing by recognizing outstanding beers and ciders and brewers across the globe.

Registration for the 2026 competition will be open from November 11 through December 12, 2025, at worldbeercup.org. The competition will be held in conjunction with the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America®, where winners will be announced during a live awards ceremony.

“The World Beer Cup represents the pinnacle of brewing achievement,” said Chris Williams, competition director for the World Beer Cup. “Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity, quality, and innovation from brewers around the world. We look forward to welcoming breweries of all sizes and backgrounds to compete in 2026.”

Organized by the Brewers Association, the World Beer Cup was established in 1996 to promote the international exchange of brewing excellence. The competition features more than 100 beer style categories, evaluated by an elite panel of international judges. In 2025, the competition expanded to include six cider categories and attracted over 8,300 entries from 1,761 breweries across 49 countries, underscoring its global prestige. The 2026 competition will include the following beer style additions:

• Czech-Style Amber Lager and Czech-Style Dark Lager

• Mexican-Style Light Lager, Mexican-Style Pale Lager, Mexican-Style Amber Lager and Mexican-Style Dark Lager

• Rice Lager

• Green Tea Beer and Other Tea Beer

• West Coast-Style Pilsner

“The World Beer Cup is where the world’s best beers earn recognition on a global stage,” said Ann Obenchain, vice president of marketing and communications for the Brewers Association. “We’re proud to host a competition that celebrates brewing artistry and unites the global beer community.”

Key Dates

• Registration Period: November 11 – December 12, 2025

• Awards Ceremony: Held during the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America® on April 22, 2026

• Registration & Details: worldbeercup.org

The World Beer Cup is made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors: Fermentis, First Key, HAAS, Jerney Ltd. Beverage Solutions, Rahr Malting Co., Sahm, and Siemens. Additional information about the event, registration, deadlines, and previous year’s winners can be found on WorldBeerCup.org.

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About the World Beer Cup®

Founded by the Brewers Association in 1996, the World Beer Cup® is the most prestigious professional beer and cider competition in the world, celebrating brewing excellence and showcasing the global diversity of beer.

About the Brewers Association 

The Brewers Association (BA) is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers, and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 9,000-plus U.S. breweries and its independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events, including the World Beer Cup^®, Great American Beer Festival^®, Craft Brewers Conference^™ & BrewExpo America^®, and American Craft Beer Week^®. The BA publishes The New Brewer^® magazine and Brewers Publications^® is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com^® . Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 13672 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor. 

Contact: jessie.vandenhouten@backbone.media

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