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The  International Beverage Competitions

The International Beverage Competitions are the first major international beverage competitions that feature trade-only judges who decide by category and actual price. We host events in New York, Berlin, Melbourne, and Asia (Hong Kong).

New York

There are four competitions in New York, all held on different dates in New York City. All winners receive a 2" physical medal and the digital images to use for marketing purposes. Interested in learning more? Click below to be taken to a New York competition website

Berlin

There are three competitions in Berlin, all held on different dates. All winners receive a 2" physical medal and the digital images to use for marketing purposes. Interested in learning more? Click below to be taken to a Berlin competition website

 
 
 
 
 

Melbourne

There are three competitions in Melbourne, all held on different dates. All winners receive a 2" physical medal and the digital images to use for marketing purposes. Interested in learning more? Click below to be taken to a Melbourne competition website.

 
 

Asia (Hong Kong)

There are three competitions in Asia, all held on different dates. All winners receive a 2" physical medal and the digital images to use for marketing purposes. Interested in learning more? Click below to be taken to a Hong Kong competition website

 
 
 
 
 

Non-Alcoholic

There is one event for non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits.

 
 

JUDGES

The judges are buyers from top retail stores, restaurant and bar owners, distributors, and importers.  Unlike other competitions, these judges have purchasing power and the ability to make a direct impact on brand sales.

CATEGORIES

The second major difference in these competitions is that each submission will not only be placed in its product category — but also its pricing category. Therefore, a spirit will be judged in its category along with other spirits in its same price range by its retail price. Each category will have its own pricing levels and is listed on the submission form. So for example a Whiskey that retails for $50 will be judged with other Whiskeys in that price range and not with Whiskies that retail for $100. Judges will then know if they are judging a $54 bottle vs a $68 bottle of Irish Whiskey.

HOW IT WORKS

At the start of each segment of the judging program, all the judges will be presented with an overview of the category along with the nuances particular to each subset.  They will be informed on what price range they will be judging. The judges will also be given the retail price of each spirit they are judging. As buyers, they consistently make purchasing decisions not only on the spirit itself but by its price.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Brands will be rated on a set of criteria including appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and finish.  Upon completion of the tastings, panelists will confer and decide which samples are award-worthy. Award levels are Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. All Double Gold award winners will be re-tasted by the panelists to establish which brands may be eligible to receive a ‘Best of Category’ endorsement in its pricing category.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The International Beverage Competitions Group was founded by Adam Levy, the "Alcohol Professor". Mr. Levy was inspired to start the competitions after reading an article by Lew Bryson in Malt Advocate Magazine — now called Whisky Advocate — asking why their ratings differ from many of the international competitions out there.  In the article, Mr. Bryson stated that over 80% of those who submit to many of these competitions, including those on the West Coast of the USA and in the UK win a medal. That inspired Mr. Levy, a New York native, to open up shop in New York, and we're proud to state that his competitions are not "Medal Factories," and in fact less than 50% of those who submit win a medal. That's why they've become one of the most respected competition series in the world.

Why should you enter the competition?

  • We are the only International Beverage Competitions where all the judges are real trade buyers judging each wine, beer, and spirit by its category and actual price. The judges are buyers from the top liquor stores, restaurants, hotels and more from around the world.

  • This is an opportunity for you to be featured in front of real trade buyers in some of the biggest markets in the world. All of these judges buy beverages for a living.

  • It's a wonderful occasion for an established maker to reconnect and/or be rediscovered by the buying community in a true blind tasting.

  • It's also a perfect opportunity if you are new to the world market and looking to enter a particular country or region to be in front of real trade buyers.

  • We hold our competitions in the media capitals of the world… New York, Berlin, Melbourne and Hong Kong. The media will be invited to report on the competitions and attend the Press/Trade Events showcasing the winners.  Winning producers are invited to attend and showcase their winning products at no additional charge.

  • We work with our media sponsors to distribute the results to the trade and consumer. All winners will be listed on our websites.

  • We do not charge winning categories for the use of our medals and to participate in our Press/Trade viewing.

  • Winners receive a physical 2" medal and the use of the Digital Image of their winning medal in their marketing materials.  Medal image on bottles and packaging are available thru stickers and image licensing programs.

  • We promote the winners with our media partners and at our trade and consumer tasting events at no additional charge.  These events include our booth at Prowein in Dusseldorf.