Entries were submitted by breweries from 15 countries, including Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Since its introduction in 2023, the Finest Beer Selection has developed into an internationally recognized platform for independent beer quality assessment.
The Finest Beer Selection is based on a transparent sensory evaluation process. An international panel of 50 beer experts from twelve countries assessed all entries in a blind tasting format. The jury included beer sommeliers, brewers, master brewers, and other industry professionals. The 2026 edition also featured an expanded international judging panel. For the first time, three World Beer Sommelier Champions—Simonmattia Riva, Oliver Wesseloh (Doemens), and Léon Rodenburg—participated as jurors.
Rather than being judged against one another, beers are assessed individually. Each entry receives an overall score on a 100-point scale, known as the Finest Beer Score. Beers achieving 90 points or more are included in the Finest Beer Selection 2026 and are entitled to display the corresponding quality seal. A new feature this year was the inclusion of beer-based mixed drinks, which attracted a significant number of submissions.
In addition to the Selection itself, the competition also presents the special awards “Beer of the Year” and “Brewery of the Year” in both the German and international categories. The awards recognize the highest-scoring beers and the breweries with the greatest number of products included in the Selection. The winners will be honored on June 29, 2026, in Neustadt an der Weinstraße.
