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New World Beer & Cider Awards FAQs

  • How much does it cost to enter?
    Entry fees are NZ$100+ GST per entry. An invoice with payment instructions will be emailed on Tuesday 20 February. 
  • What are the entry criteria?
    • You’re able to supply the minimum volume within the required timeframe
    • If you’re awarded a Top 30 position, the product being supplied to Foodstuffs DC must be from the same production facility (brewery) as the samples submitted for judging, and be the same recipe, using the same ingredients and of the same discernible quality as that entered for judging.
    • The product is packaged and labelled for retail sale with both a product barcode and an outer case barcode that have a Barcode Verification Report completed by GS1
    • The product is manufactured under current food safety certification
    • Entries imported from overseas must have a New Zealand distributor and have the minimum volume requirement in New Zealand by Friday 12 April.
    • For non-standard beer and cider products (for example alcoholic ginger beer), due to the long approval times entries must be approved as grocery/supermarket compliant by Foodstuffs North Island and South Island legal teams prior to judging.

    Please note, Foodstuffs is supporting industry moves to outers of 12 for single bottles and cans. 

    If you have any queries on these points, please contact Nadia Narot on [email protected]

  • Do I need to be a supplier to New World or Foodstuffs?
    No, new suppliers are welcome and actively encouraged. For new suppliers, if your product is selected for the Top 30, we’ll guide you through the supplier approval process.
  • When do I send samples and how many bottles do you need?

    Entries will be confirmed by email on Monday 19 February. This communication will include instructions for sending samples and labels to be printed to apply.  

    Samples must be received by Friday 1 March. Late samples can be accepted until Thursday 7 March by arrangement.

    8 x sample bottles or cans are required for products containing 500ml or less.

    6 x sample bottles or cans are required for products containing more than 501ml.

    Each entry must be submitted for judging in its retail packaging. No tank or barrel samples can be entered.

  • Can I send samples without a finished label?

    Yes, new beers and ciders may be entered for judging without a “finished” label. However, the samples must have a temporary label –  see point 33 of the T&C for an example. A copy of the proposed label may be attached to the samples.

    If the beer or cider is selected for the Top 30 it must be fully labelled and available for photography by Friday 22 March.

  • How do you judge?
    Each entry will be blind judged and assessed on its qualities using a collaborative approach evaluating technical excellence, balance and, most importantly, drinkability. The top entries in each class will then be randomised, re-tasted and ranked by a senior panel to determine the Top 30. This team will also determine the Supreme Winner of the awards in an exciting final round taste-off. The next 20 best brews will be Highly Commended and listed on the New World website, creating a final list of the Top 50 beers and ciders.
  • When do I get the results, and when can I tell everyone if I’m a winner?

    All results will be confirmed by email to the address provided on the entry form on Friday 15 March.  All results are confidential and embargoed until the New World Beer & Cider Awards public announcement. The dates of lifting the embargo will be confirmed by email from the Competition Director.  

  • What happens if my brew is selected for the Top 30?

    The Competition Director will email the supplier of each Top 30 product on Friday 15 March with the good news! You will be asked to confirm your product(s) complies with the entry criteria listed above.

    You’ll have until midday Tuesday 19 March to confirm these points. If everything stacks up, you’re in the Top 30 nationwide promotion! Foodstuffs will guide you through the process step by step.

    If your beer or cider is selected for the Top 30 but doesn’t meet the entry criteria, the product won’t be eligible for the New World Beer & Cider Awards promotion. As a result, it will be awarded Highly Commended and the next highest ranked product will take its place in the Top 30.

  • What happens if my brew is Highly Commended?
    After the Top 30 selection, the next 20 best beers and ciders will be Highly Commended and listed on the New World website, creating a Top 50 list for shoppers to explore. There is no guarantee of distribution through New World stores for Highly Commended products. However, you can contact the liquor category team at Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island who may present your product for ranging in New World stores – a process which evaluates the merits of each product and promotional support.
  • Does my award apply to all packaging formats?

    Yes. Medal stickers showing the Top 30 and Highly Commended awards will be supplied. They can be put on beers and ciders of the same recipe, using the same ingredients, brewed at the same location and of the same discernible quality as that entered for judging. 

    You’ll receive your award certificates and a roll of 1,000 medal stickers for each winning product in early April. The cost of these stickers is included in the entry fee. Medal stickers can only be applied after the lifting of the public embargo. 

    If you wish to incorporate the medal sticker into your label design or advertising, please contact  [email protected]

 

More information:

Competition overview
Dates & deadlines
Classes & volumes
Minimum volumes
Terms & conditions

 

Entries closed 16 February 2024.

All enquiries are welcome and can be directed to the Competition Director:
Nadia Narot, Foodstuffs NZ
[email protected]