Meet the Top 25 | New World Beer & Ciders Awards 2025

SUPREME WINNER:

3D IPA

Isthmus Brewing

IPA

Brewed in Auckland by husband-and-wife team Hamish Ward and Caroline Muller-Ward, 3D IPA is this year’s champion, and it’s easy to taste why. This is an IPA with real 'dimension': bold bursts of grapefruit and pine on the nose (thanks to classic American hops), underpinned by rich caramel malts that add depth without dulling the hop zing. Juicy, balanced, and beautifully built; it’s an all-round crowd-pleaser with plenty to say.

Pernicious Weed

Garage Project

IPA

The very first beer ever brewed by Garage Project, and still one of the best-loved strong IPAs in the country. Pernicious Weed pulls no punches at 8% ABV, delivering big, bold flavours of passionfruit, diesel and sauvignon blanc, all wrapped up in a chewy malt base. That classic Kiwi-grown hop bitterness thunders through; sharp, clean and unforgettable. A benchmark for New Zealand-style IPAs.

Thunderbird Bright IPA

Parrotdog

IPA

Parrotdog’s Thunderbird is leading the bright IPA revolution, and for good reason. It pours perfectly clear (which wowed the judges) but still brings the hazy-style character: sweet citrus hops, soft bitterness and real palate presence. The balance is spot-on, with a crisp, tingling finish that keeps you coming back. Second year in the Top 25 and still soaring.

Blue Sky 

McLeod’s

APA

Northland-based McLeod’s are one of the country’s best when it comes to using American hops to maximum effect. This beer won a trophy at the 2024 New Zealand Beers Awards so its pedigree is faultless. Blue Sky captures a classic American hop profile of grapefruit and mandarin offset by a biscuity malt, softened by the addition of oats for a creamy texture. A lovely, well-rounded beer.

Hallertau #2 

Hallertau 

Pale Ale

Affectionately known as The Statesman, Hallertau #2 has been pouring at the West Auckland brewpub for two decades, and it has aged like a fine hop-forward wine. Think vibrant tropical and citrus aromas, silky malt structure, and light minerality through the finish. Elegant, approachable, and exactly what a great New Zealand pale ale should be.

Limited Release 24 – Coconut Hazy IPA

Parrotdog

Hazy IPA

Parrotdog takes hazy to new heights with this limited-release Coconut Hazy IPA, a lush, laid-back brew that channels serious piña colada energy without tipping into sweetness overload. Coconut plays the supporting role, gently weaving through layers of pineapple and tropical hop character. A subtle cedarwood note adds unexpected depth, and the finish is dry, smooth and super satisfying. One for sun-drenched afternoons (or at least pretending it’s summer).

Remarks

Altitude Brewing

Hazy IPA

Queenstown’s Altitude Brewing are one of New Zealand’s most adventurous breweries when it comes to working with colleagues around the globe. For this beer they collaborated with cult UK brewery Verdant to create a robust hazy IPA that expertly captures the full noise of New Zealand hops and the special character of Verdant’s acclaimed yeast strain. It looks spectacular in the glass, and delivers pineapple and mango flavour bursts on a malty base. A crunchy bitterness rounds out a real treat.

Haze of Glory 

Good George

Hazy IPA

Want to know what New Zealand hops taste like at their best? Start here. Good George’s Haze of Glory is a juicy, citrus-forward hazy packed with bold local flavour. Nectaron brings the mandarin and pineapple, Riwaka layers in ripe grapefruit, and it’s all wrapped up in a plush malt base with a gently bitter, dry finish. Multi-award-winning and seriously drinkable; this is Kiwi hazy IPA at its finest.

Hoppy Haze

Martinborough Brewery

Hazy IPA

A returning favourite, Hoppy Haze is a hazy IPA that delivers on all fronts — with intensity, balance and character to spare. The aroma? “Citrus, sweat and pine,” said the judges. The flavour? Bursting with tropical fruit. The mouthfeel? Rich, juicy and smooth, with just the right touch of dryness at the end to keep things refreshing. 

Beat Street 

Urbanaut

Hazy IPA

From low-carb champions Urbanaut comes Beat Street, a hazy IPA that tastes like tropical fruit salad with a cheeky side of wine gums. It’s light-bodied, lively with carbonation, and finishes clean and dry with all of the flavour and minimal sweetness. “Very drinkable, very satisfying,” said the judges. Low carb, high reward.

Copacabana

Urbanaut

Brut IPA

Urbanaut’s flagship low-carb brew, Copacabana, is a Brut IPA with sparkling energy and real summer appeal. At 7.1% ABV it’s no lightweight, but you’d never know it — the body is light and lean, with flavours of canned peaches, sweet lime and spritzy hops that dance on the palate. Judges say it's a fantastic summer's day IPA!

Helles Lager

Mad Whale Brewing

Lager

Brewed at Steam Brewing for export-focused Mad Whale, this Helles Lager is a clean, crisp nod to tradition, with a zesty New Zealand lift. A lemon-lime hop character sets it apart, making it more than your average lager. Bright, refreshing and quietly impressive.

Tiger Lager Beer

Tiger

Lager

Brewed locally under licence, Tiger continues to earn its stripes! Their lager stands out this year with a delicate herbal hop character and a clean, balanced profile. Malt sweetness adds depth without tipping the scales, and the finish is smooth and crisp. “Clean, well-balanced, smooth finish - a great example,” the judges concluded.

Judas Sheep

Heaven’s Brewery

Dark lager

Heaven’s Brewery might be new to the awards, but their Judas Sheep dark lager arrives with all the hallmarks of a master brewer. Chocolate, toast, and a subtle smoky edge create layers of flavour, balanced by a roasty bitterness that lingers just long enough. This Czech-style lager is a meld of chocolate, toast and smoke, with a lovely roasty charry bitterness.  

The G.O.A.T 

Sprig + Fern

Doppelbock

Sprig + Fern’s The G.O.A.T is a multi-award-winning doppelbock that fully lives up to its name; both literally (bock = goat in German) and figuratively (Greatest Of All Time). It’s a warming, indulgent brew with toasty malt, honeyed sweetness, and notes of chocolate-covered raisins and spice. Rich, smooth, and deeply satisfying!

Black Sands Pilsner

Black Sands

Pilsner

Making its first Top 25 appearance, Black Sands Pilsner is a West Auckland gem brewed by second-generation brewer Craig Hebblethwaite. It blends classic German crispness with New Zealand flair; expect bright lemon-lime hops layered over rich, resinous malt. Herbaceous, zingy and super drinkable, it’s proof great beer runs in the family. Judges loved the “great drinkability”. 

Primate Pilsner

Lakeman Brewing

Pilsner

Year after year, Primate Pilsner proves it’s one of the best in the business. From Lakeman’s farm-based brewery in Taupō, this New Zealand-style pilsner is all about balance and precision. Croissant-like malt on the nose, zesty local hops, and a clean, fruity finish that leaves you refreshed and ready for another sip.

Bounty Hunter Chocolate & Coconut Porter

Panhead

Porter

Bounty Hunter from Panhead is what happens when a chocolate-coconut bar grows up. Evoking smooth layers of chocolate, toasty coconut and vanilla, all wrapped in a rich, velvety porter base. A lush, indulgent brew with serious sophistication. Perfect for when you want your beer to double as dessert!

Classic Apple

Peckham's Cidery & Orchard

Cider

Crafted from heritage cider apples grown on their own trees, Peckham’s Classic Apple is far more than “just apple juice.” It opens with aromas of dried apricot, honey and subtle spice, then shifts to baked apple flavours, subtle tannins and a crisp finish. Off-dry and beautifully structured, it’s a masterclass in traditional cider-making.

Old School Alcoholic Lemonade

Good George

Brewed alcoholic Lemonade

Refreshing, nostalgic, and just the right amount of cheeky! Old School Alcoholic Lemonade is pure summer energy in a can. Lemon-drop candy meets real citrus juice, with a refreshing, zingy acidity. The judges loved the “clean lemon-drop notes” and the “crunchy 'old-fashioned' lemonade profile”. Layers of lemon with fresh juice, zest and hints of candy. 

Spicy Pickle Beer

Garage Project

Sour

Garage Project has taken their popular Pickle Beer up a notch! Spicy Pickle Beer is exactly what it sounds like. Cucumber, dill, pickle spice and a fiery chilli kick combine in a truly one-of-a-kind sour beer. It's bold, punchy, and pushes boundaries in all the right ways. Love pickles? Love spice? This one’s calling your name.

Far North Chili Pils

McLeod’s

Chili Pilsner

Northland brewery McLeod’s with its iconic Pizza Barn bar and restaurant are regulars in this event, but for the first time one of their most iconic brews has made it into the Top 25. This chilli pilsner gets its heat courtesy of fellow Northlanders Kaitaia Fire, who supply the chillies. Expect a warm, nostril-tingling aroma, crisp pilsner malt, and a gentle chilli heat. Bright, refreshing, and just the right amount of spicy!

Lush

Three Sisters 

Sour

New Plymouth’s Three Sisters are one of New Zealand’s boldest breweries when it comes to adding fruit to beer and with Lush, they’ve emptied the fruit bowl to create a beer that tastes just like a smoothie. Pineapple, guava, feijoa and vanilla come together in a creamy, almost chewable beer. Real vanilla seeds, thick texture, and just the right tart snap to balance the sweetness. “Super thick and juicy with just enough sourness to cut through sweetness,” said the judges. 

All Day Hazy

Bach Brewing

Non-alcoholic Hazy IPA

All Day Hazy is the non-alcoholic brew that tastes like the real deal. Also a gold medallist in Australia this year, this hazy IPA brings bright tropical hop aroma, soft bready malts, and a proper bitter snap. Balanced, refreshing, and beautifully integrated. Non-alcoholic doesn’t get much better than this!

Apple Zero

Peckham's Cidery & Orchard

Non-alcoholic Cider

Using traditional cider apples and a state-of-the-art “spinning cone” to remove alcohol, Apple Zero captures the full flavour of a classic cider, with none of the ABV. Earthy, wild aromas lead into flavours of caramelised apples and hay, with a dry finish and rounded texture. A truly convincing alcohol-free cider that holds nothing back.