World Beer Cup registration opens
Breweries may now enter beers and ciders in the "Olympics of Beer", which will be held in conjunction with the Craft Brewers Conference
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, online, 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 BA, 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 BA. “We’re proud to host a competition that celebrates brewing artistry and unites the global beer community.”