World Alcohol-Free Awards Winners (2026 Guide)

GOLD winning alcohol-free beers

Alcohol-Free Awards. These beers impressed the judging panel with their quality, balance and overall drinking experience, standing out in a highly competitive international field.

This year’s Gold medals were awarded to an impressive mix of breweries from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, highlighting the continued innovation taking place across the alcohol-free beer industry. Styles range from crisp Belgian blondes and traditional wheat beers to hop-forward IPAs and rich imperial stouts, demonstrating that today’s alcohol-free brewers are excelling across virtually every beer style.

The standout performer was vandeStreek Playground, which not only secured a Gold medal but also claimed the prestigious Gold Trophy as the overall Beer Category winner. Alongside it, breweries including Lucky Saint, Force Majeure, Butcombe Brewing, Moersleutel, Haacht Brewery and Zeer Brewing all earned well-deserved Gold medals for exceptional beers that are among the finest alcohol-free options currently available.

Below you’ll find every Gold Medal-winning beer from the 2026 awards, followed by our selection of five standout beers that we believe are particularly worth seeking out.

🍺 Athletic Brewing – Run Wild IPA

One of the most recognisable names in alcohol-free craft beer, Run Wild IPA continues to demonstrate why Athletic Brewing has become a global leader in the category. Brewed with a generous helping of American hops, it offers bright citrus aromas, pine notes and a pleasantly bitter finish that feels remarkably close to a traditional West Coast IPA. A Silver medal is another strong endorsement for a beer that has become a benchmark for alcohol-free IPAs.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"A reassuring IPA aroma of pine and citrus, with some marmalade too, and a palate of grapefruit and bitter orange with a malty overtone. Good for matching with fish and chips or full-flavoured cheeses, and the bitter finish will cut through spicy food too."

🍺 Lucky Saint Superior Unfiltered Lager

Already one of the UK's best-known alcohol-free lagers, Lucky Saint Superior Unfiltered Lager remains a favourite among both consumers and critics. Naturally hazy with subtle bready malt flavours and gentle noble hop character, it's an incredibly easy-drinking beer that continues to collect awards year after year. Although Lucky Saint's German Weissbier secured Gold this year, the brewery's flagship lager remains one of the safest recommendations for anyone new to alcohol-free beer.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"A full-bodied lager that's well balanced and crisp, with notes of sweet corn and balanced malt sweetness. A classic after-work beer, and would work with all sorts of food too."

🍺 Weihenstephan Hefeweißbier Alkoholfrei

Produced by the world's oldest brewery, Weihenstephan brings centuries of brewing expertise to this traditional alcohol-free wheat beer. Expect classic banana and clove aromas, a creamy mouthfeel and excellent balance throughout. For fans of Bavarian Weissbier, this is one of the closest alcohol-free alternatives you'll find to the full-strength original.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"A really easy drinking wheat beer with a lightly spiced, clove-forward profile, and additional banana and citrus overtones. This would work so well with Indian dishes, and with picnic food too"

🍺 Wiper and True – Kaleidoscope Alcohol-Free

Bristol-based Wiper and True has developed a strong reputation for modern craft brewing, and Kaleidoscope showcases that expertise in alcohol-free form. Packed with vibrant hop aromas and a clean, refreshing finish, it delivers plenty of flavour while remaining highly drinkable. Its Silver medal reinforces Wiper and True's growing reputation as one of the UK's most exciting independent breweries.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"Deep gold colour, with lively carbonation. Attractive nose of piney hops and citrus with good supporting malty weight, some added herbal/beeswax flavours and a fresh, tangy finish. A brisk, balanced, anytime sipper."

🍺 Heaps Normal – Quiet XPA

Australian brewery Heaps Normal enjoyed another successful year at the awards, collecting multiple Silver medals. Quiet XPA stands out thanks to its approachable tropical fruit flavours, light body and crisp finish, making it an excellent introduction to the increasingly popular Extra Pale Ale style. If you're looking for an easy-drinking craft beer with plenty of hop character but little bitterness, this is well worth seeking out.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"Such a quaffable beer, with subtle grapefruit and pine on the nose, and juicy fruit on the palate, with some restrained pine bitterness. This would suit an afternoon at the pub, or a picnic."

Bronze winning alcohol-free beers

A Bronze Medal at the World Alcohol-Free Awards is far more than a consolation prize. With entries judged by experienced tasting panels from around the world, earning a Bronze medal means a beer has demonstrated a high standard of quality and successfully met the competition's rigorous judging criteria.

The 2026 Bronze medal winners showcase an excellent mix of established international breweries and innovative craft producers. From traditional German lagers and British IPAs to Belgian ales and modern hazy pale ales, these beers prove that outstanding alcohol-free brewing extends well beyond the Gold and Silver medal winners.

Below you'll find every Bronze Medal-winning beer from the 2026 World Alcohol-Free Awards, followed by three standout beers that we think deserve a little extra attention.

🍺 Proper Job 0.5% – St Austell Brewery

St Austell Brewery's Proper Job 0.5% successfully brings one of Britain's best-known IPAs into the alcohol-free category. Brewed to retain the crisp bitterness and citrus hop character that made the original famous, it demonstrates how established breweries can create convincing alcohol-free versions of their flagship beers without losing their identity.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"A highly quaffable IPA with flavours of marmalade, hoppy pine and citrus. Very much in the West Cost style this would work well with pizza and chips or as a post work refresher."

🍺 Zeer Brewing – ZIPA

Belgian brewery Zeer Brewing enjoyed an impressive debut at the 2026 World Alcohol-Free Awards, collecting a Gold medal for Mārū and Bronze medals for both ZIPA and Ollie. ZIPA showcases the brewery's modern approach to alcohol-free craft beer, delivering bright hop aromas, balanced bitterness and plenty of flavour despite its low alcohol content. Winning multiple awards across different beers suggests Zeer Brewing is a brewery well worth watching over the coming years.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"This straw coloured IPA has a soft, white head. Delicate flavours of sweet malt, bitter orange, pineapple and hops are balanced by a refreshing citrus zing. Perfect for quaffing in a beer garden or enjoy it with grilled chicken."

🍺 Clausthaler Grapefruit

Clausthaler Grapefruit is a refreshing twist on the classic alcohol-free lager, combining Clausthaler's renowned brewing expertise with vibrant natural grapefruit flavours. The result is a crisp, lightly bitter beer with a zesty citrus finish that's perfect for warmer weather or anyone looking for an easy-drinking alternative to traditional lager. As one of the pioneers of alcohol-free brewing, Clausthaler continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the category's most respected names.

W.A.F.A judge's tasting notes:

"A 'Radler' type beer with attractive pink grapefruit and blood orange flavours. A pretty, easy-drinker, that's ddeal for drinking on a sunny terrace or rehydrating after the gym."

Highly commended alcohol-free beers

Although these beers didn't quite reach the medal positions, earning a Highly Commended award at the World Alcohol-Free Awards is still an impressive achievement. The category recognises beers that demonstrated excellent quality during judging and were considered worthy of special recognition.

The 2026 Highly Commended list includes a diverse range of breweries from the UK, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands and the United States. From refreshing lagers and hazy pale ales to fruit beers and stouts, these beers highlight the depth and innovation within today's alcohol-free beer market.

If you're looking to discover something a little different, many of these beers are well worth adding to your shortlist.

Three Highly Commended Beers Worth Watching

🍺 Free Wave – Athletic Brewing Co.

While Run Wild IPA collected a Silver medal, Free Wave also earned recognition as a Highly Commended beer. Known for its juicy tropical hop character and smooth, hazy profile, it has become one of Athletic Brewing's most popular beers and further demonstrates why the brewery continues to set the standard for alcohol-free craft beer in North America.

🍺 Hawkstone Lager Zero

Created by Hawkstone, this alcohol-free lager continues the brewery's reputation for producing approachable, premium beers. Clean, crisp and highly refreshing, Lager Zero is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys classic European-style lagers and is another sign that major breweries are investing heavily in high-quality alcohol-free alternatives.

🍺 Lucky Saint Superior Lemon Lager

After winning both Gold and Silver medals elsewhere in the competition, Lucky Saint also picked up a Highly Commended award for its refreshing Superior Lemon Lager. Combining the brewery's signature unfiltered lager with natural citrus flavours, it's an ideal summer beer and shows the versatility of one of the UK's leading alcohol-free breweries.

💡 MyDryBar Take

Don't overlook the Highly Commended beers. In a competition featuring some of the world's best alcohol-free breweries, these beers narrowly missed out on medals and still represent excellent choices. In many cases, availability, personal taste and preferred beer style will have a greater impact on your enjoyment than the colour of the award itself.