BevNET Spirits Awards 2026

In the vein of BevNET’s commitment to recognize emerging beverage categories and innovative beverage brands and companies, the annual BevNET Spirits Awards Program will be announced in the week following BevNET Live and Brewbound Live; nominations are welcome and will be factored into judging decisions, although final awards are determined by the BevNET team.

Categories Open for 2026 Nominations

We will choose multiple winners (up to 5) for the Ready-to-Drink and Non-Alcoholic Spirits categories, reflecting: product quality, brand design and messaging, audience fit and other, intangible features that capture the imagination and taste buds.

• Spirits Company of the Year, Large
  For a distillery manufacturing more than 750,000 gallons in the past year whose work throughout the year has created lasting, substantial, positive change through innovation and high quality

• Spirits Company of the Year, Small
  For a distillery manufacturing fewer than 750,000 gallons in the past year whose work throughout the year has created lasting, substantial, positive change through innovation and high quality

• Spirits Industry Leadership Awards: Brand, Organization, or Person
  For a person, organization, or person within the spirits industry whose leadership qualities in furthering the industry or industry-related cause is deserving of special recognition

• Best New RTD Cocktails, Spirit-Based
  Spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktail lines or SKUs that have been introduced in the previous year that have at least one outstanding quality in terms of taste, design, cause, formulation, or that generate interest over their disruptive potential.

• Best New RTD Cocktail Brands, Wine-Based
  Wine-based ready-to-drink cocktail lines or SKUs that have been introduced in the previous year that have at least one outstanding quality in terms of taste, design, cause, formulation, or that generate interest over their disruptive potential.

• Best New Ready-to-Serve Cocktails
  Pre-packaged multi-serve ready-to-drink cocktail lines or SKUs that have been introduced in the previous year that have at least one outstanding quality in terms of taste, design, cause, formulation, or that generate interest over their disruptive potential. Can be spirit-based or wine-based

• Best New NA Spirits
  Alcohol-free or de-alcoholized spirit lines or SKUs that have been introduced in the previous year that have at least one outstanding quality in terms of taste, design, cause, formulation, or that generate interest over their disruptive potential.

• Best New NA RTD Cocktails
  Alcohol-free or de-alcoholized ready-to-drink cocktail lines or SKUs that have been introduced in the previous year that have at least one outstanding quality in terms of taste, design, cause, formulation, or that generate interest over their disruptive potential

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can submit a nomination?
You may submit a nomination for yourself or your own company/product or a company/product/person you find deserving.

How many nominations can I submit?
You may submit as many nominations as you’d like.

I would like to submit multiple products that are part of one brand. Do I need multiple submissions?
No, you can submit these under a single submission.

How many categories can I select?
For product nominations you can submit a nomination to as many categories as you'd like. There is no additional charge for this. For leadership awards you can only select the one category.

I represent an agency. Can I nominate my client(s)?
Agencies may submit nominations for any/all of their clients. We kindly request that you create one submission per company that you are submitting for.

Do I have to submit samples?
No, you are not required to send samples to be considered. If you'd like to send samples you can send them to our Boston office at 65 Chapel Street Newton, MA 02458.

Can I nominate a line extension or updated product for an award?
Yes, as long as it was introduced after July 1, 2025 new or updated products will be considered.

When will the winners be announced?
The winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 16th.

Nomination Rules & Fees

Each nomination will be charged a fee to help cover the cost of the awards program. Insiders receive a $50 discount per submission.
Nomination Fees:
Non-Insider fee: $149 / entry
Insider fee: $99 / entry (NOTE: agencies who are Insiders may submit for their clients at the discounted rate)

Terms and Conditions

No refunds will be granted for incorrect entries, wrong categories or if your nomination is not selected. The finalists and winners will be chosen by the BevNET staff and a nomination only guarantees consideration. Finalists and winners are determined by BevNET and all decisions are final.

If you have any other questions, please email us at contact us.