A new transatlantic partnership has been formed between independent brewing trade associations in the UK and US, ahead of next year’s World Beer Cup.
Winners celebrate at this year’s World Beer Cup award presentations
It means champion brewers from the UK are going to have the opportunity to go up against the best that the USA and rest of the world has to offer in the contest billed as the world’s biggest beer competition.
National champions from the Indie Beer Awards, organised by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), will have their beer entered into the World Beer Cup, organised by the American Brewers Association. The entries will be fully funded by the British trade association.
The opportunity will fall for 14 UK breweries. The hopefuls come in a huge range of beer styles, including: Studio Lager, from Signature Brew, Werrrd! hazy pale, from Electric Bear Brewery, Ground Stump coffee porter, from Twisted Tree Brewery, and alcohol-free Nirvana Pils, from Nirvana Brewery.
“Some of the best beers in the world are being brewed in the UK right now, in a huge variety of styles, from home-grown bitters and stouts to international beer styles, like American IPAs or German-style lagers,” said SIBA chief executive, Andy Slee.
“This partnership is an opportunity to increase the number of UK breweries in the running at the world’s biggest beer competition, and I want to wish all of the entrants the best of luck at next year’s competition.”
The UK entrants will be air-freighted to America next spring in temperature-controlled containers to ensure the beer arrives at the awards judging in perfect condition. The final judging will take place in the weeks before the World Beer Cup awards ceremony in Philadelphia, on 22 April.
World Beer Cup director, Chris Williams, said: “We at the World Beer Cup are proud to partner with SIBA in bringing some of the UK’s best beers to the world stage for the 2026 World Beer Cup.
“The UK’s brewing and cidermaking heritage is rich and time-honoured, and it’s inspiring to see two organisations that champion independence and excellence come together to celebrate the best of the best.
“The World Beer Cup is about more than competition; it’s about connection and celebrating the craftsmanship that unites brewers and cidermakers around the world. We’re excited to welcome SIBA’s Indie Beer Award winners to the world stage, and I wish all of them the best of luck. I hope to see many of you in Philadelphia next spring!”
