Tauranga’s craft beer industry is enjoying national recognition after five local breweries combined to win 33 medals, three trophies and two Champion Brewery titles at the 2026 New Zealand Beer Awards.

The strong performance has bolstered Tauranga’s reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading craft beer destinations and comes just weeks before the inaugural Tauranga Taps Beer Festival on August 8.

With 660 entries from 74 breweries across the country, the New Zealand Beer Awards are regarded as the industry’s premier competition, a media release stated.

Local breweries Mount Brewing Co., Neck of the Woods Beer Co., Alchemy Street Brewing, The Island and Fitzpatrick’s Brewing Co. collectively earned eight gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals across a wide range of beer styles.

Neck of the Woods Beer Co owner Scott Taylor, left, and  head brewer Reid Lidington.

Tauranga Taps co-founders Kevin Downie and Brian Jarreau said the results reflected the strength of the city’s brewing community rather than the success of any single brewery.

“This wasn’t one brewery having a great night, it was an entire brewing community demonstrating the quality and creativity that exists here in Tauranga,” they said.

“To see five local breweries recognised across such a broad range of styles shows the incredible breadth of talent we have in our region. Every medal reflects years of passion, craftsmanship and innovation.”

Among the standout results, Mount Brewing Co. was named Champion New Zealand Medium Brewery after collecting 11 medals and two category trophies. Neck of the Woods Beer Co. claimed the Champion New Zealand Micro Brewery title with six medals.

Alchemy Street Brewing owners Kat Hay, left, and Ed Bolstad.

Alchemy Street Brewing collected nine medals and won the Specialty and Experimental Trophy for its smoky-sour beer, HOT BOX.

The Island secured five medals, while Fitzpatrick’s Brewing Co added two medals to the region’s haul.

Downie and Jarreau said the achievements also reflected the support of Tauranga’s hospitality sector, which had helped independent brewers thrive.

“We’re incredibly proud of every brewer, every team member and every hospitality venue that supports local beer. Together they’ve helped make Tauranga one of New Zealand’s great beer destinations.”

Mount Brew Co head brewer Paweł Lewandowski, left and managing director Niall Harley.

The awards success will be celebrated at the inaugural Tauranga Taps Beer Festival at The Cargo Shed on the Tauranga waterfront.

The event will bring together all five award-winning Tauranga breweries, along with additional local breweries and cider producers, food vendors and live entertainment.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet brewers, sample nationally recognised beers and learn more about the city’s growing craft beer scene.

“The timing couldn’t be better,” Downie and Jarreau said.

“These national awards have put a spotlight on what many locals already knew – that Tauranga is producing some of the best beer in New Zealand.

“The Beer Festival is our chance as a community to congratulate these outstanding breweries, support the venues that champion local beer and celebrate everyone who has contributed to building such a vibrant brewing culture.”

Malcolm Brier, left, Ed Bolstad, Michael Julian (Brewer at the Island), Reid Lindington, Paweł Lewandowski, Scott Taylor, Niall Harley, (bottom) Kat Hay.

2026 New Zealand Beer Awards – Tauranga results

Mount Brewing Co.

Champion New Zealand Medium Brewery

11 medals

Two category trophies

Neck of the Woods Beer Co.

Champion New Zealand Micro Brewery

Six medals

Alchemy Street Brewing

Nine medals

Specialty & Experimental Trophy

The Island

Five medals

Fitzpatrick’s Brewing Co.

Two medals

Collective Tauranga result

33 medals

Three trophies

Two Champion Brewery titles

Tauranga Taps Beer Festival

Saturday, August 8

Noon to 3pm

The Cargo Shed, Tauranga Waterfront