A rural Waikato brewery operating out of an old farmhouse is the best brewing company in Aotearoa.
Karamu Barrelworks, located in on a lifestyle block southwest of Hamilton, was named the overall champion at the New Zealand Beer Awards held in Dunedin on Saturday night.
Karamu Barrelworks brewer Daryl Bryant makes spontaneously fermented beers inspired by Belgian methods in a handbuilt house. It's the second year of success for the tiny brewery - it was named best microbrewery at the 2025 awards.
The Emerson Brewing Company, a much larger and more established operation, won the Champion New Zealand Beer award for Emerson's Pride of the Plains. Emerson's was also named the Champion NZ Large Brewery and picked up two other awards for individual brews.
More than 650 beers made by 70 brewers were assessed for the awards, which are run by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand.
Head judge Tina Panoutsos said that around 80 percent of beers entered received a medal, which showed that quality remains a strong focus.
"Recognition with medals is a positive indication that beers were well made, showed good technical execution, and were closely aligned to style expectations.”
Panoutsos said NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale, NZ Draught and Specialty and Experimental classes were standout categories.
"New Zealand hop-driven styles continue to show real confidence and definition, while the Specialty and Experimental beers demonstrated how brewers are pushing flavour, ingredients and process in thoughtful and well-executed ways.”
New Zealand Beer Awards 2026 Champion Award Winners
- Overall Champion NZ Brewing Company: Karamu Barrelwork
- Champion NZ Large Brewery: The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd
- Champion NZ Medium Brewery: Mount Brewing Co
- Champion NZ Small Brewery: Shining Peak Brewing
- Champion NZ Micro Brewery: Neck Of The Woods Beer Co
- Champion Australian Brewery: Two Bays Brewing Co
- Champion NZ Manufacturer: Steam Brewing Company
- Champion New Zealand Beer: The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, Emersons Pride of the Plains
New Zealand Beer Awards 2026 Trophy Winners
- International Lager: Brave Brewing Co, Happy Go Lager
- NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner: The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, Emersons Pride of the Plains
- NZ IPA, NZ Pale Ale & NZ Draught: Mount Brewing Co, The Trifecta
- Amber/Dark Lager & Ale: Parrotdog, Limited Release 44 - Red IPA
- British & European Ale: North End Brewery, Super Alpha - Pacific Pale Ale
- International Pale Ale: Good George Brewing, Frankton Bright IPA
- India Pale Ale: Shining Peak Brewing, Bravo!
- Juicy/Hazy IPA: Brave Brewing Co, Float On
- Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale: Good George Brewing, Fog City
- Stout & Porter: Mount Brewing Co, Harley’s Irish Stout
- Wheat & Other Grain: The Emerson Brewing Company Ltd, Emersons Ingrid Weizenbock
- Fruit & Flavoured: Sprig + Fern Brewing Co, Norty Porter
- Specialty & Experimental: Alchemy Street Brewing, HOT BOX
- No, Low & Reduced Alcohol: Bach Brewing Co, ALL DAY ORIGINAL Non-alcoholic IPA
- Wood & Barrel Aged: Behemoth Brewing Company Limited, Victory at Churly’s
New Zealand Beer Awards 2026 Industry Award Winners
- Future Award: Garage Project, Hāpi Research Programme
- Community Award: Sawmill Brewery
- Packaging Award: b.effect Brewing Co
- People Award: Tracy Banner
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