New Zealand’s brewers have been recognised across 25 categories at the 2025 New Zealand Beer Awards, with Hastings-based Brave Brewing Co dominating the field in what organisers describe as a standout year for technical execution and stylistic innovation.
The annual awards, hosted by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand and judged by a 24-strong panel, assessed 625 beers from 70 breweries.
Brave Brewing Co took out five major trophies, including Champion New Zealand Brewing Company and Champion New Zealand Small Brewery. The brewery also swept three beer category trophies: International Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, and Speciality & Experimental, the first time a brewery has done that for 18 years.
Wellington’s Garage Project continued its strong form, earning four trophies and the highest overall medal count – including 10 gold, 11 silver, and six bronze. Its Chance, Luck and Magic 2021, a blend of three years of spontaneously fermented beer, was named Champion New Zealand Beer. The brewery also received recognition as Champion New Zealand Large Brewery, along with trophies in British & European Ale and Wood & Barrel Aged categories.
Queenstown’s Altitude Brewing was awarded Champion New Zealand Medium Brewery, along with two key category wins: New Zealand Lager & Pilsner and Juicy/Hazy IPA.
Judges noted continued growth in both brewing standards and category diversity. Head Judge Tina Panoutsos, who also judges at international competitions such as the World Beer Cup and AIBA, praised the quality and innovation on display.
“The New Zealand craft beer industry continues to show strong creative energy and a deep commitment to quality, even as it navigates an increasingly competitive and cost-conscious environment,” she said.
Panoutsos highlighted the leap in quality seen in low and no-alcohol beers, once viewed as a compromise.
“Low and no-alcohol beers have improved remarkably in flavour and technical execution. While they once felt like an afterthought or compromise, many now offer a full sensory experience with clean fermentation, quality hop products, and a focus on drinkability.”
She also noted emerging styles and creative use of local ingredients.
“We’ve seen different ingredients used creatively and represented across a range of styles from Fruit & Flavoured, European Ales and Experimental classes,” she said. “Beyond that, there’s a trend toward using a range of fruits like the native Horopito and stone fruits to influence texture and complexity.”
Independent brewery Sawmill, based in Matakana, once again claimed the Brewing Sustainability Award – an unbroken six-year run since the category’s creation in 2019. The brewery also picked up the Packaging Award and the Wheat and Other Grain Trophy.
In a nod to beer’s tourism potential, Craft Beer Capital – a Wellington initiative that encourages exploration of the city’s brewing scene via a self-guided trail – received the Beer Tourism Award.
Brewers Guild Executive Director Melanie Kees noted a broader geographical spread in beer culture across New Zealand.
“Historically, only major cities were seen as ‘beer hotspots’,” she said. “Now, regions are gaining recognition for their breweries and beer experiences.”
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2025 CHAMPION AWARD WINNERS
- Karamu Barrelworks, Champion New Zealand Micro Brewery
- Brave Brewing Co, Champion New Zealand Small Brewery
- Altitude Brewing, Champion New Zealand Medium Brewery
- Garage Project, Champion New Zealand Large Brewery
- Brave Brewing Co, Champion New Zealand Brewing Company
- bStudio, Champion New Zealand Manufacturer
- Garage Project, Chance, Luck and Magic 2021, Champion New Zealand Beer
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2025 TROPHY WINNERS
- Brew Moon Brewing Company, International Lager – Czech Please
- Bach Brewing Co., NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale & NZ Draught – BEDFORD NZ IPA
- Altitude Brewing, NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner – Powder Day
- Garage Project, British & European Ale – Chance, Luck and Magic 2021
- The Emerson Brewing Company, Amber/Dark Lager & Ale – DCBC
- Brave Brewing Co, International Pale Ale – Stay Gold
- Shining Peak Brewing, No, Low & Reduced Alcohol – Little Fake
- Brave Brewing Co, India Pale Ale – Tigermilk
- Canyon Brewery, Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale – Vacation Hazy Pale Ale
- Altitude Brewing, Juicy/Hazy IPA – Remarks
- Beer Baroness, Stout & Porter – Madame Brown
- Sawmill Brewery, Wheat & Other Grain – Hefeweizen
- 8 Wired Brewing, Fruit & Flavoured – Sticky
- Brave Brewing Co, Specialty & Experimental – True Blue
- Garage Project, Wood & Barrel Aged – Engeltjes Pis
NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS 2025 INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS
- Sawmill Brewery, Brewing Sustainability Award
- Craft Beer Capital, Beer Tourism Award
- Sawmill Brewery, Packaging Award