Registration Now Open for the 2026 World Beer Cup

The Brewers Association (BA), the not-for-profit trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers, has officially opened registration for the 2026 World Beer Cup®.

Widely regarded as the “Olympics of Beer,” the World Beer Cup is the most prestigious professional beer and cider competition in the world, honoring exceptional brews and the teams behind them through a global celebration of brewing artistry and technical excellence.

Registration for the 2026 competition is open from November 11 through December 12, 2025, at worldbeercup.org. The competition will take place alongside the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America®, where winners will be revealed 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 created in 1996 to encourage the global exchange of brewing knowledge and to celebrate the best in beer from around the world. Today, the competition spans more than 100 beer style categories judged by an elite panel of international experts.

In 2025, the World Beer Cup expanded to include six cider categories and drew more than 8,300 entries from 1,761 breweries across 49 countries. The turnout underscores its global reach, influence, and status as the premier stage for top-tier brewing talent.

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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