Entries are open for the New World Beer & Cider Awards for 2023. As well as winning a golden stamp of approval for their packaging, the top 30 brews will receive comprehensive promotional support and shelf space in New World stores nationwide. The following 70 Highly Commended will also be celebrated online in the Top 100 list. Entry details are on the New World website and close on Friday 17th of February.
“This competition is unique for combining professional and independent judging with the chance to get in front of beer and cider fans all around the country. Each year, more than 100 breweries put forward their best entries for judging, with the aim of earning a spot on the list and on New World’s shelves,” said Michael Donaldson, Beer writer and Chair of Judges.
“It’s a great place to be for both established and new brew brands. A win can help build the reputation of well-known brands, while new brew businesses can make the most of almost overnight access to hundreds of thousands of shoppers.”
Canterbury’s Southpaw Breing experienced a flurry of sales after a win in the Top 30 for their Say Hey Kid IPA in 2022.
“Being in the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30 was a great opportunity to have our beer available in places around Aotearoa that we hadn’t previously been. So, it didn’t matter where a potential new customer lived, if anyone asked us where they could get our beer, we could just say ‘your local New World!’ The sales information we got each week was great and the New World team were super helpful throughout the campaign, which meant we could focus on the important task of brewing enough beer to keep every store stocked,” said Cameron Burgess of Southpaw.
The team from Southpaw
Last year the introduction of the low-alcohol beer class (those under 1.15 percent), saw two non-alcoholic beverages in the Top 30 that went on to become bestsellers.
This year new classes have been created for the more unusual and creative beers and ciders. Giving styles like sour beers, barrel-aged beers, and ciders with spices, botanicals or honey their own time to shine.
Judging for the competition will be held in Christchurch in March, with a panel of 29 professionals to taste, debate and score each entry. Entries are open to all breweries and cidermakers locally and internationally.
Entrants do not need to be an existing New World supplier. They just need the ability to provide supermarket compliant products and meet minimum stock amounts.
