Photos © Brewers Association

One of the beer industry’s most prestigious competitions, the World Beer Cup has opened its registration and if you’re a brewer who’s passionate about what you’re doing this is a very big deal…We’ve that, “Words to Drink By” and more.

The World Beer Cup Registration Is On!

One of the beer industry’s most prestigious competitions, the World Beer Cup has opened its registration and if you’re a brewer who’s passionate about what you’re doing this is a very big deal…Because winning a World Beer Cup award is like winning a Grammy an Oscar, an Emmy…it brings the world’s attention to even the smallest brewery’s doorstep…and like a hit song or film, it can make a career.

Registration for the 2026 competition will be open from November 11 through December 12, 2025. The competition will be held in conjunction Craft Brewers Conference, which is being held next April in Philadelphia, 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.”

Words to Drink By

“Beer is the answer, but I can’t remember the question”  – Popular quote but we can’t remember who said it first.

Brits Embrace “Breakfast Beer” on Vacation

According to research of 2,000 British tourists from  UK Travel firm On the Beach “three-quarters (76%) of Brits have a pre-travel beer and 60% say it’s never too early to have that first sip when on your holiday (read vacation but with a British accent).

Two thirds of tourists believe having an airport or travel beer before holiday was a specific British tradition, and a highlight of their getaway, with around half (47%) happy to pay more than £7 for the privilege.

When ranking top beer tasting moments, many travelers said a first beer of the holidays was a “British Tradition” and “a moment that couldn’t be missed”.

Whether it’s 3am, 6am or 5pm, we all know that having a pre-holiday beer is a true British tradition, ”chief customer officer at On the Beach, Zoe Harris added,

According to the survey, the top 10 beer tasting moments are:

1. A beer on holiday (pool or beach)
2. Airport beer
3. Football beer (soccer)
4. Saturday night beer
5. Post work beer
6. Wedding beer
7. BBQ beer
8. Pub beer
9. Sunday lunch beer
10. Hen/Stag beer (?)

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